Exo 30:17-38  Instructions About the Bronze Basin, the Anointing Oil and Incense

[Study Aired December 26, 2022]

Exo 30:17  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Exo 30:18  Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. 
Exo 30:19  For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: 
Exo 30:20  When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: 
Exo 30:21  So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations. 
Exo 30:22  Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Exo 30:23  Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Exo 30:24  And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: 
Exo 30:25  And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. 
Exo 30:26  And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, 
Exo 30:27  And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, 
Exo 30:28  And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. 
Exo 30:29  And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. 
Exo 30:30  And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 
Exo 30:31  And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. 
Exo 30:32  Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. 
Exo 30:33  Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people. 
Exo 30:34  And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 
Exo 30:35  And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: 
Exo 30:36  And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. 
Exo 30:37  And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. 
Exo 30:38  Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

Today’s study is based on the bronze basin which is filled with water for the ceremonial cleansing of priests. This session also focuses on the making of anointing oil and incense. The bronze basin or the laver is located in the courtyard of the tabernacle. It is placed between the altar and the tent of meeting. The laver of bronze was a wash basin used by priests in the tabernacle in the wilderness, as a place where they cleansed their hands and feet before they enter the Holy Place. 

The fact that the bronze basin was placed in the courtyard is significant. The courtyard depicts our lives in Babylon as Levites who do the service of the tabernacle. It is in Babylon that we begin our service to the Lord and if we are granted to become part of the royal priesthood, then we have to leave Babylon or the courtyard of the tabernacle to enter the Holy place of the Tabernacle. 

Num 3:5  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:6  Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. 
Num 3:7  And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:8  And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:9  And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel. 

This bronze basin is the same as the six waterpots of stone at the wedding in Cana which were filled with water for the purifying of the Jews. 

Joh 2:6  And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

These six waterpots of stone represent our stony hearts and mind while we are in Babylon, and therefore the words of the Lord (the water from the waterpots for our purification) are of no effect in our lives in terms of righteousness. In a similar manner, the water from the bronze basin, which serves as our water baptism, has no effect in our lives as our stony hearts and minds are not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom at our time in Babylon. The story of Jesus’ encounter with the Jews who believed in Him is to show us our state of spiritual poverty while in Babylon.

Eze 11:19  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Joh 8:39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 
Joh 8:40  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 
Joh 8:41  Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
Joh 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 
Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 
Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

It is only when we go through fiery trials as a result of the bread (the word of the Lord) we eat as priests in the Holy place that we learn righteousness. It is therefore in the Holy place that our stony hearts and minds are changed to hearts of flesh which makes it possible for us to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God. 

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

In today’s study, we shall look at instructions about the building of the bronze basin and how they apply to our lives. We shall also look at how anointing oil and incense were made. As we are aware, the anointing oil stands for the Holy Spirit, and incense is the prayers of the Lord’s people. We shall therefore learn how, through the Holy Spirit, we are able to pray for the will of the Lord which is a sweet-smelling fragrance to the Lord.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 
Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

Psa 141:2  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 

Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Exo 30:17  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Exo 30:18  Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. 
Exo 30:19  For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: 
Exo 30:20  When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: 
Exo 30:21  So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

What is significant is that the laver is to be made of brass. The Hebrew word for brass is copper, which is a base metal. We know from the scriptures that the key to understanding spiritual reality is through the things that are made. This is true of base metals which are taken from the earth and are refined through fire to remove all earthen matter. 

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

The use of brass or copper for the basin is to remind us of our carnal state in Christ. We must therefore go through the furnace of our fiery trials before we learn righteousness. The fact that the bronze basin is located in the courtyard reminds us of our carnal state in Babylon where we cannot hear the words of the Lord.

Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 
Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The water used for the washing of hands and feet of the priests symbolizes our water baptism in Babylon. Our hands represent our works, and our feet symbolize our walk before God. The water here is a symbol of the milk part of the word of God which we receive in Babylon which guides our works and our walk before the Lord. However, because of the great swelling words of man’s wisdom (false doctrines) we receive in Babylon, the milk of the word becomes polluted and therefore we become worse off.

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 
2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 
2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 

Being driven by false doctrines, we are denied access to the altar in the Holy place where the priests (represented by Aaron and his sons) eat.

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 
Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

The word of the Lord we receive when we are granted access to leave Babylon and to enter the Holy place is accompanied by trials and tribulations which cause us to learn righteousness. 

Lev 6:14  And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.
Lev 6:15  And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD. 
Lev 6:16  And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it. 

Lev 6:26  The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Exo 30:22  Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Exo 30:23  Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Exo 30:24  And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: 
Exo 30:25  And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

These verses show us the ingredients that go into the making of anointing oil. These are myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia and olive oil. The fact that they are five items is to let us know that it is grace through faith that we become anointed by the Lord.

A close examination of the species used show us that they are basically used by women as part of their purification to attract their husbands as they emanate sweet odor. A typical example is the case of Esther when she went through a purification process for one year in order to come before king Ahasuerus.  As we are aware, women represent the church and the one year for the purification represents our being united with Christ (significance of the number one). This means that it is the church of the first born who are required to go through a period of purification to be united with Christ. This is affirmed in the Songs of Solomon when the bride goes to a mountain of myrrh until the day breaks. The day breaking is the rising of Christ within us or Christ being united with us.

Est 2:12  Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

Son 4:6  Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

Son 5:1  I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Son 5:5  I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

Pro 7:17  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Son 4:14  Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

The anointing oil is made through a process which speaks of our fiery trials and persecutions which causes us to bear a sweet odor of oil as we ready ourselves for our union with Christ. In other words, we become anointed of the Lord through a process which is alluded to in the following scriptures as beaten oil:

Exo 29:40  And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.

Num 28:5  And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil.

As stated in verse 25, this anointing oil is the work of a perfumer who is our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through Him that we are judged as the process to become anointed by the Lord.

Joh 5:22  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Joh 5:23  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Exo 30:26  And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, 
Exo 30:27  And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, 
Exo 30:28  And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. 
Exo 30:29  And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. 
Exo 30:30  And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 
Exo 30:31  And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.

This precious anointing oil was used to anoint kings and priests, and to consecrate items in the tabernacle which were meant to be most holy. The items to be consecrated include the tabernacle of congregation, the ark of the testimony, tables and vessels, candlesticks, altar of incense and the altar of burnt offering. All these items have to do with our hearts and minds which must be anointed to become Holy to the Lord. As we are aware, the anointing oil represents the Holy Spirit which was promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to the disciples. In verse 29, we are given the function of the Holy Spirit, that is, to sanctify us to make us holy.  God’s purpose in our sanctification is to transform us more and more into the likeness of Christ.

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 
Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” instructs us that God sanctifies us by His Word. What this means is that the primary instrument of sanctification is the word of the Lord. It is the anointing oil which guides us to know the truth of the word of the Lord.

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

As we are given to know the truth about the word of the Lord through the work of the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the anointing oil, the word we have received causes us to go through fiery trials which gradually sanctify us as we learn righteousness. 

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

The Holy Spirit which comes to us is described as the anointing oil on Aaron’s head that flows down his beard through the skirts of his garments. As the Holy Spirit enters our lives, we are granted the grace to have the mind of Christ. That is what unites us all as one and causes the Lord to command His blessing into our lives.

Psa 133:1  A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 
Psa 133:2  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 
Psa 133:3  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Exo 30:32  Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. 
Exo 30:33  Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people. 

When we are dominated by our flesh, the Holy Spirit cannot abide in us to lead us to the truth of Christ’s word. The Holy Spirit is given only to the royal priesthood. These verses warn us against preparing the anointing oil based on the formula given for any other use apart from tabernacle service – no putting the anointing oil on strangers. The fact that we are being warned means that there are already many people who are not part of the elect but are carrying themselves as if they have the anointing oil on their head. These are false apostles or prophets masquerading as ministers of the Gospel.  That is why we are required to test the spirit to see if they are of God. 

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 
1Jn 4:3  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (ESV)

This is what Apostle Paul has to say of such false apostles and prophets.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Exo 30:34  And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 
Exo 30:35  And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:

In the preparation of incense, four items are used – stacte, onycha, galbanum and pure frankincense. Stacte is a kind of fragrant gum from the storax tree and is a form of very pure myrrh, which flows spontaneously from the tree once a stalk from the tree has been pierced, broken and crushed. Onycha is a sweet-smelling part of a shellfish (Purpura) that has a strong odor when burned. Galbanum is a disagreeable smelling spice that comes from the umbelliferous plant. When any part of the plant is broken, a cream-colored juice flows. Frankincense tree is bruised three times in order to cause all the resin to be released. The first and second bruising yield a lower quality resin. The third, however, yields a resin of very high quality. These four ingredients had to be mixed with salt to preserve them from corruption. 

We can see that all the items that are used for the incense must be crushed, broken or heated in the preparation of incense. We are these items that are used for the preparation of incense. As we have stated earlier, incense represents the prayer of the saints. This means that our prayer as a sweet aroma before the Lord is through the fiery trials we encounter in this life. 

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; 
Rom 5:4  and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: 
Rom 5:5  and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.

Through our trials, as we learn righteousness we become steadfast and approved, which makes us and our prayers like a sweet odor of incense before the Lord.

2Co 2:14  But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. 
2Co 2:15  For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; 
2Co 2:16  to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

The fact that there are four ingredients means that the whole of the elect of every generation must go through the same fiery trials in order to become righteous which is a prerequisite for effective prayer or communication with the Lord.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Exo 30:36  And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. 
Exo 30:37  And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.
Exo 30:38  Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

If we are to become a sweet savor before the presence of the Lord, then the influence of the flesh has to be beaten out of our lives. In other words, we must go through trials and tribulations to refine us to make our prayers effective. The word of the Lord says that the prayer of a righteous man avails much. The righteous man here refers to the man who has gone through trials and tribulation to learn righteousness.

Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Jas 5:17  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Jas 5:18  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Again, we are warned that there may be counterfeits who come as the Lord’s anointed apostles and prophets. Their long prayers and signs and wonders that follow them may seem like a sweet savor incense before the Lord, but these are false apostles and prophets. We must always test the spirits to see if they are of the Lord. The fact that many come with signs and wonders must alert us to be wary since these signs and wonders are all rudimentary as our brother Paul warned us. In his letter to the Corinthians, he told them that it is only love (obedience to the Lord’s words) that will endure. In other words, a mature person is the one who obeys or trembles at the Lord’s words. Other gifts of the spirit such as word of knowledge, prophecies, signs and wonders, are all elementary and as we mature, they become less and less significant.

1Co 13:8  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

May the Lord help us to continue to test the spirit as the day approaches!! Amen!!

Exo 27:1-21  Instructions About the Bronze Altar, the Courts of the Tabernacle and the Oil for the Lamp

[Study Aired November 7, 2022]

Exo 27:1  “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 
Exo 27:2  And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 
Exo 27:3  You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. 
Exo 27:4  You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 
Exo 27:5  And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar. 
Exo 27:6  And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 
Exo 27:7  And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 
Exo 27:8  You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made. 
Exo 27:9  “You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. 
Exo 27:10  Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 
Exo 27:11  And likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 
Exo 27:12  And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. 
Exo 27:13  The breadth of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits. 
Exo 27:14  The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 
Exo 27:15  On the other side the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 
Exo 27:16  For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases. 
Exo 27:17  All the pillars around the court shall be filleted with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver, and their bases of bronze. 
Exo 27:18  The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twined linen and bases of bronze. 
Exo 27:19  All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze. 
Exo 27:20  “You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. 
Exo 27:21  In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel. 

Exodus chapter 27 focuses on three items of the tabernacle – the bronze altar, the court of the tabernacle and the olive oil for the lamp. When a person entered through the court gate of the tabernacle, the first thing they would see was the bronze altar, which is also called the brazen altar. The altar points to the fact that it is our sins which separate us from the presence of the Lord. It is therefore imperative that to have fellowship with God, sin must be dealt with. 

Isa 59:1  Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 
Isa 59:2  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 

The altar therefore reminds us that we were not worthy to approach the holy God without first offering a blood sacrifice for our sins. It unveils God’s plan for the salvation of humanity which called for a spotless, sinless sacrifice. It is only our Lord Jesus who met that requirement, that is, to atone for the sins of the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ was therefore sacrificed on the altar of the cross just as the lambs and sheep had died on the bronze or brazen altar.

Joh 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

The next item of importance in this review is the outer court of the tabernacle where there is the place of sacrifice. It is where we recognize we are sinners and are without hope except the Lord intervenes. Spiritually, it signifies our walk in Babylon. We were first Levites who were permitted in the outer court but were not allowed in the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. It is as we leave Babylon after washing ourselves in the laver of the word of the Lord that we are permitted to enter the Holy place and subsequently, the Holy of Holies. 

Num 1:50  But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Num 1:51  And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

The final item mentioned in this review is the oil for the lamp, which was situated at the Holy place. It shows us that we must move from Babylon (the outer court) to the Holy place. It is only as we move that we see the significance of the oil for the lamp. This is the work of the Lord as it is only those who have been predestinated that are given the grace to move to the Holy place. What this means is that we are to move on to spiritual maturity! We must progress past the point of “Jesus saves” and know Him more intimately. Worshiping the Lord is all about relationship! This means that our walk with the Lord must progress from the outer court of the tabernacle into the Holy place and finally, the Holy of Holies. The oil represents the Holy spirit or the Comforter whom the Lord promised us as follows:

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 
Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 
Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 
Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 

Our review of chapter 27 today gives us details of how these items – the altar, the court of the tabernacle and the oil for the lamp – were made or constructed. It will give us more insight into our walk with the Lord as we journey from the outer courts into the Holy of Holies in this age.

Exo 27:1  “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 

The altar to be constructed was a portable one and was the largest of the tabernacle’s seven pieces of furniture. Placed in the outer court of the wilderness tabernacle, the brazen altar was the most prominent and imposing object in the court, and no worshiper could avoid seeing it upon entering. The fact that the altar was to be a square in shape is to let us know that from whatever angle we are looking at, sin is a problem that has to be dealt with in order to appear before the Lord. The natural laws of various countries, the laws of various religions (Babylon) all point to one thing – that is, sin must be dealt with. That is why our Lord Jesus came to atone for our sins.

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The fact that the altar was made of acacia wood is to indicate that even our sins and the remission of sins is all the work of the Lord. Without Him, nothing functions!!

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The altar is to be measured. The standard of measurement is Christ. Those whose sins have reached the heavens in this life are therefore judged to conform to the standard of Christ. The fullness of the sins of humanity will later follow them to be dealt with in the lake of fire. They are those who are not measured as they belong to the Gentiles!! 

1Ti 5:24  Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 

Exo 27:2  And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 

The horns at the four corners of the altar symbolize the strength of the Lord to deal with the sins of the whole world. The four corners of the table represent the whole world. 

Exo 13:3  And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
Exo 13:14  And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

Rev 7:1  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 

What is insightful about verse 2 is that the altar must be coated with bronze. All the instruments in the Holy place and the Holy of Holies were overlaid with gold, signifying that it is through the refining work of the Lord that we can gain access to His presence. This refining work is the judgment of our old man. The coating of the altar with brass is to signify our frail bodies of corruptible flesh and blood.  It is through this corruptible flesh and blood that our Lord Jesus made atonement for our sins and appeared before God. As He is, so are we in this life. It is through our corruptible flesh and blood that our Lord will save the world from their sins. It should be noted that when the Lord appeared to Apostle John to unveil Himself to him, His feet were like fine brass. This is to show us that Christ does everything through His saints who are still in these bodies of corruptible flesh and blood.

Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 

Rev 2:18  And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 

Exo 27:3  You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. 

The various utensils to be used at the altar refer to various categories of humanity who are all utilized by the Lord to accomplish His purpose of making us aware of the problem of sin, the atoning work of Christ and the need for our sins to be judged.

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Exo 27:4  You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 
Exo 27:5  And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar. 

A grating of bronze was to be inserted into the hollow center of the altar to hold the firewood and sacrifice as it was being burned, allowing the ash to fall below. The grating is a symbol of the judgment we must go through to deliver us from our sins such that we become a sweet savor to Christ our Lord.

Lev 1:7  And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire: 
Lev 1:8  And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: 
Lev 1:9  But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Exo 27:6  And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 
Exo 27:7  And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 

The altar is a portable one. It was therefore carried using the poles which are required to pass through the rings such that the Levites who carry the altar did not touch the altar. The portability of the altar means that the redemptive work of Christ is still applicable to us as we journey in this life. It means that we bear in our bodies the mark of His suffering, that is, we, too, are going through suffering in this life to complete the suffering of Christ.

Gal 6:17  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Exo 27:8  You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made. 

As His elect, we must measure up to the standard of Christ. Achieving this standard is a life-long process. We are constantly being measured and judged in this life to conform to the standard of Christ. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 
Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 
Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

In the above verse (Rom 8:30), it is shown that whom the Lord calls, He also justifies. This justification process includes the fiery trials we go through to achieve the standard of Christ.

Exo 27:9  “You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. 
Exo 27:10  Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 
Exo 27:11  And likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 
Exo 27:12  And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. 
Exo 27:13  The breadth of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits. 

At the court of the tabernacle stood the Brazen Altar and the Laver. Hangings of fine twined linen marked the boundaries of this court and its dimensions were 100 cubits on the north and south sides and 50 cubits on the west and east. The fine twined linen hangings were fixed to twenty pillars on the north and south, ten on the west, but only six on the east as this was the side where the gate was situated. Each of the pillars sat on a brass socket and the hangings were attached to the pillars by means of silver hooks. 

Spiritually, the court represents our lives in Babylon where we only see our Lord Jesus Christ come to die for our sins. It is a period of our lives where we have our own doctrines and follow our own ways thinking we have our own will to choose what we want. 

Isa 4:1  And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. 

The fact that the north and the south sides should be 100 cubits in measurement is significant. The number 100 (10×10) signifies the fullness of the flesh. What this means is that during our walk in the court of the tabernacle, the deeds of the flesh have to be complete before we are given to wash ourselves in the word of the Lord in preparation to enter the presence of the Lord.

The use of twenty pillars and the bases emphasizes the point that those whom the Lord is using to build His temple are those who are mature enough to wage war with the flesh to overcome it. During the time of the elect in the court of the tabernacle or Babylon, we are defeated seven times (completely) by the flesh as part of the preparation to learn how to war against the flesh.

Jdg 3:1  Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 
Jdg 3:2  Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; 

Pro 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 

Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

The use of bronze to coat the twenty pillars and bases signifies that it is through this corruptible flesh and blood of the elect that the Lord is building His house or dwelling place. This is the same as having treasure in earthen vessels.

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 

The fact that the west and the east sides of the tabernacle must be fifty cubits in length is to suggest to us that a pre-requisite to become the dwelling place of the Lord is through the liberty we have in Christ. This liberty is being free from the bondage of sin.

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

Exo 27:14  The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 
Exo 27:15  On the other side the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases.

In total, there were six hangings at the east end of the tabernacle where the gate was. The number six is the number of mankind. This is to emphasize the point that it is through us, in our corruptible flesh and blood, that the Lord is using to admit all those predestinated to come to His presence. In an age to come (the lake of fire age), the Lord will also use us to bring all humanity into His presence.

The fact that the hangings on each side of the gate were three in number is to let us know that becoming the conduit for humanity to enter into the presence of the Lord is through spiritual maturity which is brought about through the Lord’s judgment of our old man.

Exo 27:16  For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases. 

The measurement of twenty cubits long for the gate of the court is to let us know that to become the means through whom humanity will enter into the Lord’s presence requires us to be able to go to war against the flesh and overcome it. This waging of the war against the flesh is all part of the Lord’s work. All we have to do is to believe that He will bring us to an expected end.

The screen for the gate must be of fine linen and colored blue, purple and scarlet. The color red or scarlet, symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, while the color blue symbolizes the last Adam – Jesus Christ coming to be in our heavens. The colors purple and scarlet remind us of our sojourn in Babylon where our adamic nature became obvious while living under the law as shown in the following verses:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

What this means is that the process of becoming the screen for the gate, through whom salvation will come to the world, starts with us recognizing our spiritual poverty (purple and scarlet linen) while in Babylon before we are turned into blue linen, that is, Christ coming to us. All humanity must pass through the same process to become a habitation for the Lord to dwell.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 

Exo 27:17  All the pillars around the court shall be filleted with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver, and their bases of bronze. 
Exo 27:18  The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twined linen and bases of bronze. 

The pillars being filleted with silver and the hooks also being of silver is to let us know that the redemptive work of the Lord is what makes it possible for us to become the dwelling place of the Lord. As indicated, the bases being of bronze signifies the Lord’s use of corruptible flesh and blood like us to become His dwelling place.

Exo 27:19  All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze. 

This is another way of saying the following:

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Exo 27:20  “You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn.

The pure olive oil represents the Holy spirit who will lead us into all truth so that we become the light of the world.

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 
Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 
Joh 16:15  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 

Exo 27:21  In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel. 

Aaron and his sons represent the elect of every generation who are required to keep the lamp in the Holy place burning every night. This lamp is the word of the Lord. What this means is that this verse is the same as the admonition given to Joshua when Moses died, as he took over the leadership mantle.

Jos 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

As His elect, we are required, just like Aaron and his sons and Joshua, to ensure that the Lord’s words do not depart from our mouth as we meditate on it daily. This is what will make us the light of the world.

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Act 20:32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

May the Lord be merciful to us to cause us to desire to know Him more through His word which is able to give us an inheritance among them who are sanctified. Amen!!

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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.