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We have seen in the `ten words' the great basis of the covenant made with Israel, and
we are yet to see how the whole Tabernacle and its service revolved around the Ark, in
which rested the tables of testimony, and the Mercy Seat which covered it. Before we
turn our attention to the Tabernacle it seems fitting that we should acquaint ourselves
with the judgments that were added to the `ten words'. It will be found upon examination
that they unfold and apply the law given in the tables of stone. It will be remembered
that the ten commandments divide the duties of Israel into two sets, five dealing with God
and five dealing with man. The N.T. sums up the law and the prophets as love to God
and love to neighbour.
The ten-fold exposition.
In Exod. 20: the covenant is given, and in Exod. 24: the covenant is ratified, and it
will be seen that this covenant is concerned with:
(1)
All the words of the Lord, i.e. the `ten words' of 20: 1-17.
(2)
All the judgments, i.e. those of 21:-23::
"And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the
judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which
the Lord hath said will we do" (Exod. 24: 3).
No.42.
The Tabernacle. A general survey
(Exod. 25: 1 - 9)
pp. 54 - 57
In tracing the history of Israel as a nation we start with redemption, the Passover
deliverance from Egypt, where a fresh start was made. The Passover month became `a
beginning of months' unto them (Exod. 12: 1). The Tabernacle was completed on the
first day of the first month in the second year (Exod. 40: 17). Further, the first part of
Exodus is occupied with building with bricks by slave labour. In the second part, the
Tabernacle using gold, silver, and precious materials was built by free men who gave
`willingly' (Exod. 25: 1-8). We have followed them through the waters of the Red Sea,
which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. None but the redeemed of the Lord
can reach the other side alive. We have seen their trials and temptations, their first great
battle with Amalek, and its spiritual teaching. We have seen them enter into covenant
relationship with God, both book and people being sprinkled with blood; we have heard
the words of the covenant given in solemn grandeur from Sinai, and we have reached that
point in the development of their typical history that demands the Tabernacle and its
ritual.
While it is gloriously true that our Saviour `offered one sacrifice for sins for ever'
(Heb. 10: 12) and `Died unto sin once' (Rom. 6: 10), yet such is the wonder of that one
sacrifice, that it embraces all that the Passover deliverance from Egypt typified, all that
the day of Atonement set forth, and all that the varied offerings for cleansing and
acceptance indicated. The book of Exodus divides into two great sections, each section