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Awesome Hands - part 100 Discussion

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Awesome Hands – part 100

“Brass in the outer court”

June 29, 2016

Confirmation is always very important in all aspects of human life and interactions with others. When we are having conversations, confirmations allow us to connect to one another because we are able to relate to each other.

Confirmations also act as a guide post of sorts to allow us to individually gauge where we are with whatever topic or item the confirmation confirms.

For the body of Christ, having confirmations that we are His beloved and He is ours allows is to move through our lives with confidence that no matter what we do or what we go through, we will have Him there with us.

In our study today we are going to continue the awesome hands series with a few more confirmations of why we matter to Jesus Christ and to each other.

It’s all in the details

Isn’t it amazing that the things that tend to bore us as humans are often the most needed yet neglected of all things to which we give our time?

Take for example the verses we will be covering today. There are many repeating and monotonous details in the description of the outer walls of the tabernacle court, yet they hold very instructive details for one of the things most Christians want to know about - namely, our relationship with God and what it means, how it manifests itself and how we can have a better relationship with God.

For brevity's sake, I will not read our verses today from the KJV so that I can help to make these verses more easily understood, but I do not want to skip them either because the Lord is in the details, so I will read them from the CEV translation below.

Exo 27:9  And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:
Exo 27:10  And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.
Exo 27:11  And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
Exo 27:12  And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
Exo 27:13  And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
Exo 27:14  The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Exo 27:15  And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Exo 27:16  And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.
Exo 27:17  All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.
Exo 27:18  The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
Exo 27:19  All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.
Exo 27:20  And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
Exo 27:21  In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Instead, I will read these same verses from the CEV (Contemporary English Version).

Exo 27:9  Surround the sacred tent with a courtyard one hundred fifty feet long on the south and north and seventy-five feet wide on the east and west. Use twenty bronze posts on bronze stands for the south and north and ten for the west. Then hang a curtain of fine linen on the posts along each of these three sides by using silver hooks and rods. Place three bronze posts on each side of the entrance at the east and hang a curtain seven and a half yards wide on each set of posts.

Exo 27:10  (SEE 27:9)
Exo 27:11  (SEE 27:9)
Exo 27:12  (SEE 27:9)
Exo 27:13  (SEE 27:9)
Exo 27:14  (SEE 27:9)
Exo 27:15  (SEE 27:9)

Exo 27:16  Use four more of these posts for the entrance way, then hang on them an embroidered curtain of fine linen ten yards long and woven with blue, purple, and red wool.
Exo 27:17  The curtains that surround the courtyard must be two and a half yards high and are to be hung from the bronze posts with silver hooks and rods.
Exo 27:18  (SEE 27:17)
Exo 27:19  The rest of the equipment for the sacred tent must be made of bronze, including the pegs for the tent and for the curtain surrounding the courtyard.

The first thing to keep in mind when listening to or reading anything about the tabernacle is that it is a foreshadowing of who we are in Christ and how we relate to God the Father via Jesus Christ.

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Heb 10:1  The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn't the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices that are offered year after year.
Heb 10:2  If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices.
Heb 10:3  But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next.
Heb 10:4  (SEE 10:3)
Heb 10:5  When Christ came into the world, he said to God, "Sacrifices and offerings are not what you want, but you have given me my body.

So, as we read about this outer court of the tabernacle what are we being told in all the details of each of the sockets, pillars, curtains, rods and rings?

God wants you to know the details because it is in the details that He reveals Himself. Think about how it is Faith inspires you or hope grasps your heart and mind. You have memories of when God came to you in your darkest times or helped you up when you knew there was no way forward.

It is in these times and the special details of those interactions that you remember God’s presence. Likewise, when we study things like the details in the making of the tabernacle we know that the Lord set in motion all that the Israelites when through, for example, so that He could once again reach out through the vastness of time and touch you with the details He has prepared for His children to know He is and has always been there for them.

Brazen Altar

In Awesome Hands Part 99 the bronze/brazen altar was mentioned. Here in this study we are covering the entrance/gate to the outer court which eventually leads to the tabernacle.

In order to enter the tabernacle, the Israelites had to come through the fine linen gate which was supported by 4 bronze pillars and hanging from silver hooks.

Immediately upon entering the outer court they were presented with the brazen altar which was an immediate reminder that in order to approach the God of Israel at all you need to have a sacrifice prepared.

Of course, there were many Israelites entering into the tabernacle so there would have been blood everywhere in the vicinity of the altar.

Next, is the laver where all the washing would take place with the laver being between the bronze alter and the tabernacle tent. In these two items we can see that Israel was given a glimpse of having privilege with God of being His people yet unless you were a priest you could not enter into the holies nor holy of holies.

Heb 10:6  No, you are not pleased with animal sacrifices and offerings for sin."
Heb 10:7  Then Christ said, "And so, my God, I have come to do what you want, as the Scriptures say."
Heb 10:8  The Law teaches that offerings and sacrifices must be made because of sin. But why did Christ mention these things and say that God did not want them?
Heb 10:9  Well, it was to do away with offerings and sacrifices and to replace them. That is what he meant by saying to God, "I have come to do what you want."
Heb 10:10  So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all.
Heb 10:11  The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins.
Heb 10:12  But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God's right side,
Heb 10:13  and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power.

Being the Jesus Christ is our offering for sin, and that He is the last sacrifice ever needed, what then is our part in the tabernacle as it relates to all the brass/bronze that we initially are confronted with when entering into the outer court?

Heb 10:14  By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.
Heb 10:15  The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said,
Heb 10:16  "When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts.
Heb 10:17  Then I will forget about their sins and no longer remember their evil deeds."
Heb 10:18  When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.

God does not care about our sacrifices to and for Him which come out of our own carnal reasoning. What He does care immensely for is that our covenant is recognized for what it is and that our hearts and minds are renewed towards Him.

How then are our minds renewed?

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

2Co 4:12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
2Co 4:13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
2Co 4:14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

It is inevitable that we look on the things that are able to be seen, but we must remind ourselves not to dwell on them.

Life in this aion with wear us down to the point that we would perish if we did not think on the LORD, but we will be raised up when all is said and done.

Just like the laver which sits between the brazen alter and the tent of the tabernacle, we must be renewed by the washing of water by the Word so that we do not concentrate on the blood of the cross always but that we move past it into the very presence of God.

I cannot help to quote the Word and go to the scriptures for comfort. I cannot help but read them and present them to you all to show you how it is we all approach the Lord. Do you put these things into practice? If not, then you are robbing your own heart and mind of the peace of God.

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

With all that being said, there is a price that we will pay for being able to approach and eat at the table of the Lord while in this flesh.

That price is the fiery trials that we must all endure and overcome to the end. There is a reason that the Son of God has brass feet. His feet and His walk are who we ARE to the Lord. We are crucified with Him and it looks something like this. Do you see yourself in Daniel?

Dan 10:4  And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
Dan 10:5  Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
Dan 10:6  His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Dan 10:7  And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
Dan 10:8  Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

Even though we of ourselves are just corruption, the Lord still speaks to us.

Dan 10:9  Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
Dan 10:10  And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
Dan 10:11  And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
Dan 10:12  Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

The Lord has the answers we need if we’d only trust in Him to provide them in His timing. Yes, even this is all of the Lord yet we are told to desire the heavenly things and to write His words upon our hearts and minds.

For me, one of the strongest examples in scripture of renewing our minds to what the Lord is doing in our lives is found in Psalm 103.

Psa 103:1  A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Psa 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psa 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Psa 103:4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Psa 103:5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psa 103:6  The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Psa 103:7  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

The tabernacle is the shadow of His ways and His acts being made know to US!

Psa 103:8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psa 103:9  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Psa 103:10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Psa 103:11  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psa 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psa 103:13  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Psa 103:15  As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Psa 103:18  To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
Psa 103:19  The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Psa 103:20  Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Psa 103:21  Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Psa 103:22  Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Brass or bronze is the best that the flesh has to offer and a positive application of bronze is that while we still have to contend with the flesh it is WHILE we are in the flesh that we are able to first approach God.

That simply happens because our old man, the carnal mind and the flesh which produces death that pulls on our hearts and minds, is being destroyed daily has He increase and we decrease. Washing of water by the Word is always needed by those who desire to go into the holy and holy of holies with Christ Jesus.

Fear of the Lord isn’t something that is negative, and spiritual fear of the Lord is not what your carnal reasoning tells you it is. Fear of the Lord is the acknowledgement that you have someone higher up the spiritual food scale than you.

Fear of the Lord is acknowledging that the Lord is, was and will be Lord of all and in all. Fear of the Lord is what CAUSES you and me and anyone else who calls himself a Christian to be able to LOVE!

Keeping His great commandments hinges on our fear of the Lord and fear and respect of whom the Lord our God is, was and will be is the key to understanding how to endure and overcome to the end.

Being that we are being trained up as kings and priests, we must obey the Lord and always have ready the oil that is needed to keep the lights on in the tabernacle.

Exo 27:20  Command the people of Israel to supply you with the purest olive oil. Do this so the lamp will keep burning
Exo 27:21  in front of the curtain that separates the holy place from the most holy place, where the sacred chest is kept. Aaron and his sons are responsible for keeping the lamp burning every night in the sacred tent. The Israelites must always obey this command.

In the next study, we will continue to look at how the Lord works His spiritual hands in our lives to present Himself to us even more with the pattern given to us in all that made up the physical tabernacle of the Jews. In the meantime, keep the Lights on by using the power of the Lord in your lives to present the Lord to others who are in your influence.