Skip to main content

The story of exodus 30

 




Exodus 30 details the instructions for three final pieces of furniture for the Tabernacle: the Altar of Incense, the Bronze Basin, and the Anointing Oil and Incense. The chapter also includes a law for a half-shekel tax.

The Altar of Incense

God commands the creation of a small altar to be placed in the Holy Place.

 1. Dimensions and Materials: The altar is to be made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold. It is to be square, 1 cubit long and 1 cubit wide, and 2 cubits high. It will have horns on its four corners.

 2. Purpose: Aaron is to burn incense on it every morning and every evening, a perpetual ritual before the LORD. This incense is a "sweet incense before the LORD" and a constant reminder of the prayers of the people ascending to God.

 3. Prohibition: The altar is to be used only for incense; no strange fire, burnt offering, grain offering, or drink offering is to be placed on it. 

The Bronze Basin

A large basin is to be made for the priests to wash in before ministering.

 1.Materials: The basin and its stand are to be made of bronze. The bronze for this basin is to come from the mirrors of the women who ministered at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.

 2.  Purpose: Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet in it before they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister. This ritual washing is a crucial act of purification, as a failure to wash would result in death. It emphasizes the need for a holy approach to God.

The Ransom for Souls

A law is established for a census and a tax.

 1. The Half-Shekel Tax: When a census is taken, every man aged twenty years or older must pay a half-shekel as an offering to the LORD. This money is to be used for the service of the Tent of Meeting.

 2. Purpose: This tax is a "ransom for his soul" so that no plague will strike the people when they are counted. It serves as a reminder that all Israelites, rich or poor, are equal before God and in their contribution to the Tabernacle.

Anointing Oil and Incense

The chapter concludes with the recipes for the holy anointing oil and the sacred incense.

1.  Holy Anointing Oil: God gives a specific recipe for the oil, including myrrh, cinnamon, cane, cassia, and olive oil. This oil is to be used to anoint the Tabernacle, all its furnishings, and the priests to consecrate them and make them holy. It is explicitly forbidden to make this oil for personal use or to put it on anyone other than the consecrated.

 2.  Sacred Incense: A recipe for the incense is also given, combining stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. This incense is to be ground and burned on the Altar of Incense. Like the oil, it is sacred and must not be used for any other purpose. These strict rules underscore the sanctity and special purpose of the Tabernacle and its services.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

the story of NUMBERS 28

  The wilderness was a land of shifting sands and unpredictable days, but for the Israelites, God was establishing a rhythm of holiness. Standing on the plains of Moab, near the Promised Land, God spoke to Moses. This was not a list of dos and don’ts; it was a blueprint for a life lived in the presence of the Divine. The Morning and Evening Breath What was the scene like in the camp of the Israelites as the morning sun rose? The morning blue light illuminated the Tabernacle. Before the tribes began their daily toil, the morning smoke rose from the morning sacrifice. The Lord instructed Moses: "Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time.'" (Numbers 28:2) This was the Daily Offering. Every single day, two lambs without blemish were to be prepared: one in the morning to consecrate the day, and one at twilight to consecrate the nigh...
Post a Comment
Read more

The story of Leviticus 6

 As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, the Lord gave Moses further detailed instructions about offerings and the responsibilities of the priests. God’s holiness demanded precise care in how offerings were handled, ensuring that His people worshiped Him with reverence and obedience. The Lord said, "The person who brings a burnt offering must keep the fire on the altar burning continuously; it must never go out." This fire symbolized God’s constant presence and the ongoing need for dedication and atonement. God also instructed Moses about the grain offerings: the priests were to take a portion as their own to eat, but they had to do so in a holy place, for these offerings were sacred. When it came to sin offerings, the priests were given specific duties to make atonement for the people. They were to remove the fat of the sin offering and burn it on the altar, while the rest of the meat was to be eaten in a sacred place by the priests only, symbolizing their role a...
Post a Comment
Read more

God’s Sovereign Providence and Joseph’s Rise to Power: A Study of Genesis 41

  Genesis 41 marks a pivotal turning point in the story of Joseph, showcasing themes of divine wisdom, providence, and the elevation of faithfulness to leadership.The chapter begins with Pharaoh experiencing two perplexing dreams that none of his advisors can interpret. The chief cupbearer then remembers Joseph, who had accurately interpreted his and the chief baker’s dreams while in prison. Joseph is summoned from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph explains that the two dreams—seven healthy cows followed by seven gaunt cows, and seven good ears of grain followed by seven thin ears—symbolize seven years of abundance in Egypt followed by seven years of severe famine. He advises Pharaoh to appoint a wise and discerning leader to store surplus grain during the years of plenty to prepare for the upcoming famine.Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom and insight, Pharaoh not only accepts his counsel but also elevates Joseph to the second highest position in Egypt, giving him authority o...
Post a Comment
Read more