February 25, 2022 - Exodus 30-32
Today many people have lost the importance of keeping the church building holy and pure before the Lord. While I understand that the building is just a building and the Spirit of God dwells in each believer, God desires our true reverence and worship in our services. Prayer and a time of reflection is often needed to prepare us to come into His presence.
The priests clothing and some articles for the tabernacle have previously been described. Now, the last two pieces of furnishings to be mentioned are the bronze laver and the altar of incense. They both were used by the priest for daily cleansing. The bronze laver was to be used each time the priest entered the tabernacle or proceeded to burn an offering on behalf of the people. This is when the priest washed and cleansed themselves outwardly.
The second item, the altar of incense, was placed in front of the veil directly in front of the ark. Incense was a symbol of prayer, and it would have been the place Aaron offered the incense and prayed for the people. An inward cleansing occurred as he presented and prayed both for himself and the people to the Lord. The laver and altar kept the priest cleansed and holy both physically and spiritually.
With the specific instructions now given, the building and all the articles are now entrusted to be designed and built by a man of God, Bezalel (31:1). The work and responsibility were so immense, only a Spirit filled worker could accomplish the feat. The Lord also placed the Sabbath in the chapter to remind the people that rest was needed as well as labor.
Chapter 32 tells us how the people had grown restless and impatient while Moses had spent an extensive time on the mountain receiving the instructions for the dwelling place of God. They even demanded of Aaron a god to worship since Moses had not returned. Without their spiritual leader to direct and instruct the people, they quickly erred and turned away from the Lord.
God precisely prepared the tabernacle for His people but what He desired more was their heartfelt devotion. The Israelites lost their focus of worship without their spiritual leader. It is vital to pray daily and have a close communion with the Lord, so we do not become like the Israelite people; distracted, impatient and follow impulsive desires. "Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15) NIV.