Ex. 29:1 And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest’s office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,
Ex. 29:2 And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.
Ex. 29:3 And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams.
Hallow = pronounce clean, dedicate, purify
The men who were serving as priests needed to be purified before the Lord, pronounced clean. This cleansing was to be accomplished through the sacrifice of animals without blemish. They were also to prepare unleavened wheat bread, unleavened wheat cakes that included (olive) oil, and wheat wafers that were coated with oil. The baked goods, which had been put into one basket, and animals were to be brought to the cleansing ceremony.
Observations:
Special provision had to be made to purify and dedicate a man for the position of priest. (Man’s natural state is sinful.)
This purification process required the sacrifice of animals “without blemish,” perfect. (Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God that cleanses the sinner who comes to Him in faith and imputes His own righteousness to him.) 2Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Leaven represents sin; nothing containing leaven was allowed in this dedication process.
It’s interesting that the process included bread that had oil “in” it as well as “on” it. (Oil is representative of the Holy Spirit who is both in the believer and comes upon the believer in power for ministry.)
Coffman - “to minister unto me”: “The priority of service to God appears in this. We remember that the first commandment is toward God, and not toward men. The manward commandment is secondary. Again from Esses: ‘The people are always out there to be ministered unto, but unless we minister unto God first, we are powerless to do anything for the people.’"
Ex. 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.
Ex. 29:5 And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:
Ex. 29:6 And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.
Ex. 29:7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.
Ex. 29:8 And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.
Ex. 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
Next, Aaron and his sons are to be brought to the entry of the tabernacle and washed with water. Then Aaron is to be clothed with the appropriate garments (that have already been prepared for him). After being properly clothed, he is to have the special anointing oil poured on his head. Next, his sons are to be properly clothed. We are told that the office of priest belongs to Aaron and his sons until “time as we know it” is no more (to the vanishing point).
This is similar to the statement to David when he is told that there will never be a lack of one of his progeny on the throne of Israel. Obviously, the priesthood was eventually corrupted and abolished, and there is no longer anyone on the earthly throne of David. I take it to mean that the position is still a legitimate position, but unoccupied on planet earth at this time. When the time comes for the establishment of God’s kingdom, these positions will be occupied by those who “meet the requirements.”
Observations:
The doorway to the tabernacle represents the point of entry into God’s presence.
One can’t enter unless he is clean and properly clothed. (We can’t enter heaven unless we are washed by the blood of the Lamb and clothed in His righteousness.)
The clothing used by the priests have been “prepared for them in advance.” (God has prepared our garments of salvation.)
The priest could not enter God’s presence until he had been anointed with oil. (When we are saved, we are anointed with the Holy Spirit and authorized to enter God’s presence.)
The position of priest in the nation of Israel is still a recognized position before the Lord although it is not being occupied at the current time on planet earth.
Note: More detail is found in Leviticus 8.
Ex. 29:10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.
Ex. 29:11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Ex. 29:12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
Ex. 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
Ex. 29:14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.
Now the bullock (the young bull) is brought to the front of the tabernacle and Aaron and his sons place their hands on its head. Then the bullock is killed—by the door of the tabernacle. The blood from the bullock is placed on the horns of the altar with Moses’ finger; the rest of the blood is poured beside the bottom of the altar. The rest of the bullock (including his skin and dung) is to be burned with fire outside the camp. It is a sin offering.
Observations:
I think the fact that the priests are placing their hands on the bull as it is killed indicates that they recognize it is being sacrificed on their behalf. (We must accept that Jesus was sacrificed because of our sin if we want to be recognized by the Father.)
The blood is associated with “life.” I’m not sure why the blood is placed on the horns of the altar. Its earthly container is to be burned outside the camp—away from God’s dwelling place. Maybe this compares with our bodies of sin that will not be acceptable in heaven; we will receive new bodies.
Jesus, our sin sacrifice, was taken outside the city to be crucified. Hebrews 13:11–13 “For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.”
This sacrifice is offered by the door of the tabernacle to emphasize that this sacrifice is necessary before the priests can enter God’s presence. (Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was necessary before we, as believers, could enter God’s presence.)
Ex. 29:15 Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.
Ex. 29:16 And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.
Ex. 29:17 And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.
Ex. 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Next, Moses is to take one of the rams and have Aaron and his sons put their hands on the head of the ram. Then the ram is to be killed, and its blood is to be sprinkled all over the altar. The ram is to be cut into pieces, and the insides are to be washed. I would assume that this is to get rid of any blood residue. Then all the pieces of the ram are to be burned as an offering unto the Lord. This would result in smoke and an aroma that is pleasing to God (as an act of faith and obedience).
Observations:
Why one bull and 2 rams?
Why is the ram cut into pieces and its insides washed?
I think anything we do in obedience to God’s command is a “sweet aroma” to Him.
Ex. 29:19 And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.
Ex. 29:20 Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
Ex. 29:21 And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
Now the other ram is brought forward and Aaron and his sons put their hands on the head of this ram. Then the ram is killed. Moses used its blood to put on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, on the tip of his each son’s right ear, on the thumbs of each of their right hands, and on the great toe of each of their right feet. Then Moses is to sprinkle Aaron and his garments and his sons and their garments with blood from the altar and anointing oil. All of this is done to purify or hallow the priests and their garments.
Observations:
The dictionary seems to indicate that the right side is considered the strong side. Is the fact that the blood is being placed on the tip of the right ear, the right thumb and the right great toe a picture that our strength comes from God?
The fact that the clothes of the priest are sprinkled with blood from the altar and anointed with oil again confirms that their righteousness (clothing) and empowerment (anointing) come from God.
Why the ear, thumb and toe? Coffman: “The blood sprinkled ear must be always willing to hear God's Word; the blood sprinkled thumb on the right hand symbolizes hands that are ever ready to do God's will; and the blood-sprinkled toe is a symbol of feet ever committed to walk in the Way of righteousness and truth.”
Ex. 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:
Ex. 29:23 And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:
Ex. 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
Ex. 29:25 And thou shalt receive them of their hands, and burn them upon the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the LORD: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
The fat of the ram and its rump, the fat that covered its insides, the caul (flap) of the liver, the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, and the right shoulder is taken next. A loaf of bread, a cake of oiled bread, and a wafer are then taken out of the basket and placed in the hands of Aaron and his sons; they then waved it before the LORD. After they were waved, they were to be burned on the altar as a sweet savor, pleasing, before the Lord as an offering of fire.
Eerdman’s dictionary indicated that the wave offering would be more appropriately called an elevated offering. It was to indicate transfer of ownership or a transition—i.e., man to position of priest before God.
Observation:
I guess the fact that the priests accepted the meat and food that had been offered to the LORD was public acknowledgement of God’s provision for them. They are expressing that they can only function through God’s provision and enablement.
Our decision to serve God should be public—something for which we should be proud and not ashamed.
Ex. 29:26 And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.
Ex. 29:27 And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:
Ex. 29:28 And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’ by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it is an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, even their heave offering unto the LORD.
The breast of the ram was to be given to the priest after it was “waved” before the Lord. The breast and shoulder were to be waved or elevated from the ram that had been used in consecrating Aaron and his sons. It was to be considered part of the peace offering of the children of Israel before the Lord.
Observations:
What is the significance of the breast and shoulder? The breast represents nourishment and sustenance. The shoulder could be a reference to bearing burdens.
The fact that a peace offering is necessary indicates that there has been a break in fellowship (as a result of our sin).
The position of priest is inherited. (We are heirs of God to a royal priesthood through Christ.) 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…. ”
Clarke: "As the wave-offering was agitated to and fro, and the heave-offering up and down, some have conceived that this twofold action represented the figure of the cross, on which the great Peace-offering between God and man was offered in the personal sacrifice of our blessed Redeemer.”
Ex. 29:29 And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons’ after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.
Ex. 29:30 And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place.
Ex. 29:31 And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.
Ex. 29:32 And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Ex. 29:33 And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.
Ex. 29:34 And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread, remain unto the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.
The position of High Priest was to be inherited by Aaron’s sons, and the same garments used by him were to be used by them when they were anointed and consecrated. The son that inherited the position of high priest was to wear the garments for seven days when he came to minister in the holy place, God’s dwelling place on earth. The flesh of the ram of consecration was to be cooked in the tabernacle and eaten by Aaron and his sons; they were also to eat the bread in the basket by the door of the tabernacle. When they ate this food with which atonement was made, they were making it part of themselves. No one but the priests were to eat these foods because they were holy, set apart. Any part of the food that was not eaten by the morning was to be burned with fire; it was not to be eaten because it is holy.
Observations:
The same clothing is worn by the sons as was worn by the Father. (We wear the righteousness of Jesus as given to us by the Father.)
What is the significance of cooking the meat in the tabernacle?
Only the priests can eat that which is holy. (Only those who have been sanctified by the LORD can enjoy spiritual food.)
What is the significance of burning that which was left over until morning? (Could it have something to do with the idea of looking to God daily for His provision?)
Ex. 29:35 And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all things which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them.
Ex. 29:36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.
Ex. 29:37 Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.
The consecration of the priests was to last for a seven-day period. Each day they were to offer a bullock as atonement for sin; then they were to clean the altar and anoint it with oil to sanctify it. This process was to be repeated until the seven days were completed. The altar is a most holy place, and only that which is holy is to touch it.
Observations:
Sacrifice had to be made daily for atonement for sin and to maintain right fellowship with God. (That is no longer necessary since Jesus was sacrificed once for all. It is, however, important to maintain our fellowship by seeking forgiveness of our sins.)
I know that seven is the number of perfection/completion, but why would the process of dedication need to be stretched out for seven days?
The place of sacrifice is holy before God.
Ex. 29:38 Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.
Ex. 29:39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:
Ex. 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.
Ex. 29:41 And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Ex. 29:42 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.
Instructions seem to proceed for the daily offerings that were to be made on the altar by the priests. Every day, they were to sacrifice two lambs in their first year of life; one was to be offered in the morning and the other in the evening. The lamb offered in the morning was to be offered with a specific measure of flour mixed with a specific measure of “beaten” oil along with a specific amount of wine as a drink offering. The lamb offered in the evening was to be offered with the same combination of flour and oil with wine as a pleasing offering by fire unto the LORD. This offering was to continue throughout coming generations at the door of the tabernacle before the LORD. This was the place God had designated to meet with Moses and speak to him.
Observations:
Specific emphasis is made that the two lambs sacrificed daily were to be offered with wheat mixed with “beaten” oil. (We have the gift of the Spirit because Jesus was wounded for our transgressions……by His stripes we are healed.) Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded [bruised, beaten to pieces] for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
The sacrifice was made at the door of the tabernacle to allow entrance. (Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross allows us direct access to the presence of God.)
Wiersbe: “The flour and wine represented the results of the people’s labor in the fields and in the vineyards. Symbolically, they were presenting the fruit of their toil to God and thanking Him for the strength to work and for food to eat. The wine poured out was a picture of their lives poured out in His service.”
Ex. 29:43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.
Ex. 29:44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office.
Ex. 29:45 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.
Ex. 29:46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.
The tabernacle was the designated place for the children of Israel to meet with God. It would be sanctified (considered pure, holy, clean) by the glory of God. This sanctification would extend to the altar and Aaron and his sons in their positions as priests. God chose to dwell among the children of Israel and be their God. He intends for them to recognize Him as the LORD (self existent, eternal) their God (the supreme God). He is the one that brought them out of Egypt with the intent to dwell with them.
Observations:
God designated His choice of dwelling place with man. God is always in control. We are to come to Him on His terms.
God’s desire is to fellowship with His children.
God wants us to recognize who He is—the eternal, self-existent Creator King, the supreme Being.
He is our deliverer.
Clarke: “So we find the sanctification by Moses according to the Divine institution was only symbolical; and that Aaron and his sons must be sanctified, i.e., made holy, by God himself before they could officiate in holy things.”
Ex. 30:1 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.
Ex. 30:2 A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
Ex. 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
Ex. 30:4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.
Ex. 30:5 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Ex. 30:6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
Instructions are now given to make an altar for burning incense out of shittim wood. The altar was to be a square that measured a cubit (18 inches) on each side and was to be 2 cubits (3 feet) tall. It was also to have horns made of shittim wood. The top, sides and horns were to be overlaid with pure gold. They were also to make a “crown” of gold about its border. There were to be golden rings positioned under the crown of gold at the four corners (the two corners of two sides) to be used for the staves (bars) for moving it. The staves were also to be made with shittim wood and overlaid with gold. This altar was to be placed in front of the veil that separated the holy of holies from the rest of the tabernacle—the place where the ark of testimony with the mercy seat was located, the place of God’s presence.
Observations:
As we think of incense as representative of our prayers, it is interesting that they rise up to God from a level source, equal footing. Reminds me of the saying, “All ground is level at the foot of the cross.” Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
Again, purity before the presence of God is important (The wood is overlaid with pure gold. We, as believers, are “overlaid” with the blood of Jesus.)
This altar is in front of the veil of the holy of holies, the place of God’s presence. (That veil is no longer necessary and was ripped apart when Jesus died on the cross.) Matthew 27:50–51 “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom….”
Courson: “Upon the golden altar of heaven seen in Revelation 8, the incense speaks not only of the prayers of the Savior on our behalf, but also of our intercessory ministry on behalf of others. Incense was burned on an altar because prayer requires sacrifice. There is nothing harder to do in spiritual life than pray. Why? I believe it’s because Satan opposes it so vehemently. Why? He knows that’s where the power is. Just as the altar of incense was the piece of furniture closest to the mercy seat, we are never closer to the Father than when we’re in prayer.”
Many commentators note that there is an apparent contradiction concerning the placement of the altar in Hebrews.
Hebrews 9:3–4 “And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant….”
David Stern in his Jewish New Testament Commentary gave the following explanation: “The Holiest Place had associated with itself the golden altar for burning incense. Critics have been quick to conclude that the author did not know what he was talking about, since the Torah clearly states that the golden altar was outside the curtain (Exodus 30:6, Leviticus 16:18, 1 Kings 6:22). Actually, the author knew his subject well. Although the incense altar was used daily for other purposes, it was used in a special way by the cohen hagadol on Yom-Kippur, when he would take from it a golden censer of coals and bring them into the Holiest Place (Exodus 30:10, Leviticus 16:12, 15)…. Earlier, in v. 2, the Greek text says that the table with showbread and the menorah were ‘in’ the Holy Place. And in the latter part of the present verse, the Greek says that the manna, rod and tablets were 'in’ the ark. But the Greek expression for the relationship between the Holiest Place and the incense altar is not ‘in which’ but ‘having,’ i.e., ‘having associated with itself.’ Like the ark the incense altar was associated with the Holiest Place. But the author did not make the mistake of locating the incense altar in the Holiest Place, which would have been an error; on the contrary, choosing his words carefully, he associated the incense altar with the Holiest Place even though it was outside.”
Ex. 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Ex. 30:8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
Ex. 30:9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.
Ex. 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.
Aaron (the high priest) was to burn sweet incense on the altar every morning when he was maintaining the lamps and every evening when he was lighting the lamps. This ritual was to be continued for all generations to come. No strange incense was to be offered on this altar. (The directions for making the incense come later in the chapter.) It was not to be used to offer burnt sacrifices or meat or drink offerings. Once a year Aaron was to make atonement (cleanse, reconcile) on the horns of the altar with the blood of the sin offering (I would assume on the Day of Atonement). This is an act of obedience that is most holy to the LORD.
Observations:
Still considering the incense as representative of our prayers, they should be offered every morning as we begin our day and every evening as we complete our day.
We should be teaching our children to do the same (perpetual….through generations). Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
The place of prayer is only available after offering the sacrifices and offerings. Jesus opened that door once for all for all who believe. Ephesians 2:13 & 18 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ….For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
The altar of incense had to be cleansed once a year. Our position of righteousness and cleanliness for prayer before the LORD has been provided once for all through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Ephesians 4:24 “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Ex. 30:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Ex. 30:12 When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.
Ex. 30:13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD.
Ex. 30:14 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.
Ex. 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
Ex. 30:16 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
The LORD next gave Moses directions regarding taking a census or count of the children of Israel. Each person counted was to give a ransom (redemption) for his soul. I think the next phrase is saying that obedience to this command would protect them from plague, since they are recognizing God as their protector through obedience to His command. The ransom was to be a half of the sanctuary shekel, equal to 20 gerahs (the smallest piece of Hebrew money). Each man 20 years old or older was to give this offering to the LORD. Rich and poor alike were to give the same amount of money as atonement for their souls. This money was to be used for maintaining the tabernacle. It was to be a memorial to the children of Israel regarding the atonement of their souls. (Like we partake of the LORD’s Supper as a memorial of Jesus’ atonement for our souls through His death, burial and resurrection.)
Observations:
Each individual is accountable to the LORD.
There is evidently a time of accountability in each person’s life established by God. Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Each soul is of equal value to God; one’s position in society doesn’t matter. Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
God alone is our source of protection and security. Psalm 62:7 “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”
Our actions are important in teaching our children God’s truth. Deuteronomy 11:18–19 “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
Ex. 30:17 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Ex. 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.
Ex. 30:19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
Ex. 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:
Ex. 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.
The LORD next instructs Moses concerning a laver (washbowl) with a foot (pedestal, stand) that was to be placed between the tabernacle and the altar (for burnt offerings) and filled with water. Aaron and his sons were to wash their hands and feet with the water from this laver before entering the tabernacle or ministering at the altar through burned offerings. It they didn’t, they would die. This statute (law, requirement) was to be followed for all the generations of priests to come.
Observations:
Cleanliness before the LORD is emphasized over and over again.
Those in ministry are held especially accountable for their cleanness and purity before God.
Their example in action is highly visible.
Misrepresentation of God’s truth or disobedience by His representatives is a very serious offense.
Ex. 30:22 Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Ex. 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,
Ex. 30:24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:
Ex. 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.
Next, God gave Moses the recipe for making the holy anointing oil to be used in connection with service at the tabernacle. It was to contain equal amounts of myrrh and cassia with half as much cinnamon and sweet calamus.
Myrrh – Associated with bitterness, used in embalming as well as perfumes, used in combination with wine to relieve pain.
Cassia – from the inner bark of a tree that resembled cinnamon, probably came from India, difference in strength and flavor from cinnamon.
Cinnamon – from a tree that grows only in India, Ceylon and China. (Maybe the fact that it is specified as sweet infers the main difference between it and the cassia.)
Calamus – very aromatic, used in the most precious perfumes, imported from Arabia and India, also called “sweet cane.”
These spices are to be combined with olive oil. The NLT specifies these measurements as 12.5 pounds of myrrh and cassia, 6.25 pounds of cinnamon and calamus, and a gallon of olive oil.
The apothecary was the one who made perfumes.
Observations:
God continues to be very specific regarding what is acceptable for use in service to Him.
This oil (representative of the Spirit in our life) included spices that represent:
Bitterness - He is our gift as a result of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Sweetness - He is the source of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.
being highly desired or considered of great value – His gifting to us represents our position of value and worth before God.
The apothecary is representative of the Father who put together all the things necessary to make our prayers acceptable before Him.
Two important observations by Mr. Guzik: “Since oil is emblematic of the Holy Spirit, we see that the Holy Spirit is not poured out to enhance our flesh….the work of the Holy Spirit is never to be imitated.”
Ex. 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,
Ex. 30:27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
Ex. 30:28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.
Ex. 30:29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
Ex. 30:30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Ex. 30:31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.
Ex. 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.
Ex. 30:33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
This holy anointing oil was the oil to be used to anoint:
The tabernacle of the congregation
The ark of the testimony
The table and all the vessels used on it
The candlestick and the vessels used with it
The alter of incense
The altar of burnt offering and all the vessels used at it
The laver and its pedestal
Aaron and his sons (the priests)
The purpose of the anointing was to sanctify (clean, purify, dedicate, consecrate) these items and these men to God’s service and declare them holy before Him. The people of Israel were to be instructed that this particular mixture of oil and spices was to be a holy anointing oil for all the coming generations. It was not to be used as a simple perfume for man. They were not to try and make something similar to it. Anyone who misused this oil was to be “cut off” (the Hebrew indicates destroyed or consumed) from his people.
Observations:
Everything that is used in service before God is to be dedicated, clean and pure.
Holy things are separate and distinct from the things of this world. 2Corinthians 6:17–18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
We are not to take away from the importance of the holiness and righteousness of God’s directives by making changes that would appear to be same but are different. Holiness demands purity.
Ex. 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:
Ex. 30:35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
Ex. 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.
Ex. 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.
Ex. 30:38 Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.
Moses next received directions regarding the recipe for the incense that was to be used at the altar of incense. Equal amounts of the following spices were to be used:
Stacte – a sweet spice (Some say it is distilled myrrh; others that it is the gum of the storax shrub, which was highly valued by the Syrians for use in medicines.)
Onycha – from a shellfish, gives off an odor like “castoreum.” (used in perfumes and in medicines as an anti-spasmotic)
Galbanum – from a gum resin, produces an unpleasant odor when burned, possibly added to the incense to help it burn, used as a condiment and for medicinal purposes.
Frankincense – a white substance that produces a fragrant odor; it is associated with prayer. This is not the same frankincense of modern commerce.
Observation:
Again, what is acceptable in service to God is very specific and is a response in obedience to God’s directions.