Exodus Bible Study – Chapters 26-30
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This Week’s Reading Schedule:
Monday – Exodus 26
Tuesday – Exodus 27
Wednesday – Exodus 28
Thursday – Exodus 29
Friday – Exodus 30
My Thoughts on Exodus Chapters 26-30
Exodus Chapter 26
What I love about this chapter is the symbolism and how easily it’s compared the book of Hebrews. As I was reading it, I found verse after verse that helped me to understand the details of the tabernacle. In particular, the curtain that divided the Holy of Holies from the rest of the tent. Hebrews chapter 10 is especially good for gaining a deeper understanding.
A similar curtain was later hung up in the temple to divide the tabernacle from the holy of holies. Although the Bible doesn’t specify the thickness of that veil, we do find some fascinating descriptions of it in Rabbinic literature.
In his book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edersheim writes, The Veils before the Most Holy Place were 40 cubits (60 feet) long, and 20 (30 feet) wide, of the thickness of the palm of the hand, and wrought in 72 squares, which were joined together; and these veils were so heavy, that, in the exaggerated language of the time, it needed 300 priests to manipulate each. If the Veil was at all such as is described in the Talmud, it could not have been rent in twain by a mere earthquake or the fall of the lintel, although its composition in squares fastened together might explain, how the rent might be as described in the Gospel.
In Hebraic Literature: Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala, Maurice Henry Harris writes,
For it is taught that Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel declared in the name of Rabbi Shimon the Sagan (or high priest’s substitute), that the thickness of the veil was a handbreadth. It was woven of seventy-two cords, and each cord consisted of twenty-four strands. It was forty cubits long and twenty wide. Eighty-two myriads of damsels worked at it, and two such veils were made every year. When it became soiled, it took three hundred priests to immerse and cleanse it.
The moment that Jesus gave up His spirit, the Bible tells us that the curtain in the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The length, the width, and the thickness of this veil make this a momentous event. God was showing us right there and then that the law was fulfilled. That very moment that our sin was atoned for, the partition dividing God from mankind was removed.
Exodus Chapter 27
I wasn’t expecting to find so much symbolism in the brazen altar, but the more I started digging, the more scriptures I found. Just as the cross is a prominent aspect of the Christian faith, so was the brazen altar upon which their sacrifices were made.
The Bible calls us to carry our cross, which is to say that we must become a living sacrifice, pointing to the One who sacrificed Himself for our sins.
Scripture after scripture instructs us to deny ourselves daily. These are the sacrifices we bring to the altar–complete surrender to His will, dependence on Him, and joy in thanksgiving which is only by faith.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Exodus Chapter 28
What we see in this chapter are priestly garments for Aaron and his sons. But take note—their garments aren’t alike. Some of the scriptures point directly to Aaron as the high priest while others are for his sons who were regular priests.
For example, we see in verses 36-38 that Aaron had a gold plate on his forehead that was engraved, “Holiness to the Lord.” This signified that as the High Priest he (symbolically) took on the iniquity and the judgment of his people.
“And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.” – Exodus 28:38
As our high priest, Jesus Christ took on the judgment, the sin, and the iniquity of His people. This isn’t something that we as priests of the new covenant are called to do, nor are we qualified as there is only One who takes away sin.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Isaiah 53:6
Exodus Chapter 29
As I look at the priesthood of the Old Testament, I’m reminded of my responsibility under the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. We are called to be holy as He is holy. Paul says, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” (Romans 6:15)
The Bible helps us in two ways: it convicts us of sin, and teaches us how to break free from that sin through faith.
If we’re not convicted of sin we’re living a lie, for the wages of sin is death. The tabernacle pointed the way to salvation, but it also served to convict men of sin which is still important today. Those that minimize sin, devalue their need for a Savior. Every morning and every night the priest put a lamb on the altar which symbolized their continual need to be cleansed. Praise God that by One Sacrifice He perfected us and cleansed us from sin.
They looked forward, but we look back to see the sacrifice that was made on the cross.
Exodus Chapter 30
If you look closely at this chapter, you’ll notice something interesting in verse 15. “ The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives.”
This points directly to the atoning blood of Jesus Christ that is freely given to all regardless of how rich or poor one might be. The wages of sin is death. There isn’t a greater penalty, nor is there a lesser one. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Sin isn’t measured or weighed. Whether we steal, we murder, or we lie, we are equally guilty of sin and in need of salvation.
“This was partly to teach them that all souls are of equal worth in themselves and price with God; that there is no respect of persons with God, and in God’s worship and service, but gospel graces, ordinances, and privileges are common and equal to all.” Matthew Poole’s Commentary
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