GOD'S commitment to us is evidenced in the level of HIS relationship HE desires with us. HE continually guides and directs us for HIS glory and our benefit. My LORD is ever blessing and caring for us. HIS commitment is shown in sending HIS SON to be born and crucified for me and all sinners. HIS proof is HIS resurrection out of the grave, as so will I be in the future.
GOD bless everyone on this Christmas day, and to remember that we are called to know HIM not just a babe in the manger, but more so as the SAVIOR of sinful man.
May we read and follow the scriptures in order to fashion and allow ourselves to become useful tools or implements in GOD'S ministry.
LORD bless the peace in Jerusalem and the saints there, as we worship YOU in truth and in spirit.
Merry Christmas everyone. Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2: 11-14
The LORD to shine HIS face on you and bless you gloriously.
Colossians 2:4 "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words."
1 John 2:1 "My little children these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sins we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"
Ephesians 2:3 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Exodus 25:13
Hebrews 9:5 "And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly."
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
1 Peter 2:25 "For ye were as sheep gone astray; but now are returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
Isaiah 42:1 "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring judgement to the Gentiles."
John 8:28- 29 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak those things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always these things that please him."
1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Romans 9:5 "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
Psalms 45:7 "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
John 17:1 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are."
The floor lamp is not a modern invention, but it is as old as the Tabernacle at least. The Tabernacle contained a floor lamp, and that is what the golden candlestick was in the Holy Place. We are substituting the more descriptive title, "lampstand," for the King James rendering of "candlestick." It was more than a candlestick, as we designate such. The blueprint for it is given in Exodus 25:
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
I believe they were used to 'snuff' out candles , they are still used today , it's a long thin handle and on the end of it is a small cone shape , like a small pointy hat . This just means that people don't have to blow candles out .
I don't think its forbidden to make just "anything" from wood. If you have a certain scripture in mind, go ahead and post that and we'll take a look at what it says, whether it was a specific law for Israelites or ritual law or what. God blessed us with wood to use for all kinds of things. The Bible has many things made of wood, like the cross Jesus carried, both arks Exodus 25:10, and Jesus was a carpenter, so he made all kinds of things of wood as his job. People use wood paper to write on, to read books, like the Bible, and use it for toilet paper, paper towels and all kinds of products that would hard to avoid. Of course if the Bible said to avoid wood we would need to do that, but I'm not aware of anywhere in the Bible saying that. If it actually said that, a lot of people would not be able to live in an apartment or house or gather in a church, because most are made from wood.
I don't believe crosses are wrong. I believe idols and idol worship are wrong. If someone is worshipping a cross that is wrong. I haven't heard of anyone doing that. If the cross represents what Jesus did for us I think that's a good thing to worship Jesus in the presence of one. I've seen videos of catholics bowing to a statue of mary as a god. That is wrong. What is the object of worship should be the question.
Do you have a verse that says decorations are wrong- whether you have a hood ornament on a car or a house with a door knob with a design or a Bible cover? Is it possible you are merging a few verses like the one about women wearing excessive adornments 1 Peter 3:3?
2Samuel 6:14, the priests' ephod had stones Exodus 35:9,27, Exodus 25:7, Exodus 39:2,8,18, sounds very beautiful; gold, blue, purple, scarlet, fine twined linen, chains on the shoulders,
Exodus 30:7-10, these are specified rules Moses had been given for the Priests to follow. Best to keep the whole of these scriptures together. Deuteronomy 4:2, the offering & relevant starts in previous chapters, Exodus 25, Exodus 26, Exodus 27, Exodus 28, Exodus 29, continuing to Exodus 30, Exodus 31, Exodus 40, also in Deuteronomy, Leviticus,
I'd like to say something about the oil filled lamp stand. It was beautiful and it gave light to the holy place, the place of worship. It was a shaft with 6 branches, three on each side. The shaft and the 3 sides held the lights and the stand represents our Lord Jesus Christ. He's in the midst of the candlesticks/branches. The light is the Holyspirit and shows the beauty of the lampstand our Lord.
"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:14."
I will state that the Egyptians were spoiled; but sadly all the gold earrings were used with the golden calf before proper worship began and the tabernacle was built. Later on; of course the whole temple was built. All of these things of course are patterned after heaven; where it will be in the "sides of the north". That could be the part of the sky where heaven is located; and/or in heaven itself where God's throne is located.
There are some interesting concepts with Melchizedek and the fact that somehow true worship wasn't limited to those who were to be the descendants of Abraham; that is in the bloodline of the Jewish nation. This shows; when we study the origin of nations that indeed before pagan worship there was true worship at least in some places AFTER the flood. We can see something to the effect that the boundaries of the nations were divided as per the sons of Israel ( Deut 32:8).
I am going to say some very deep thoughts here. First off; we must consider carefully the image of the beast and his worship that will come. We must remember that Satan came from where he was walking in the midst of the stones of fire ( Ezekiel 28:14-16). The whole pattern; and ornate wealth will doubtless endow the Antichrist in the beginning of the Tribulation as the woman rides the beast in all her glory. (See Habukkuk 2:9-14; Daniel 11:39; Daniel 11:43). No doubt there will be an amalgamation of religions then of course later Antichrist destroys the woman for worship of himself. This shows why we should have no graven images of God. The mind of man cannot fathom these things; and sadly will fall for the man of sin in the Temple.
We shall indeed have things in heaven but also on earth to look forward to; restored and with Satan's influence at last restrained completely. Finally; the veil will be lifted off all nations ( Isaiah 25:7). I do believe in a Millennial Temple; although would think in eternity there will be no more death of animals.
The Lampstand foreshadows Jesus as the true vine (central shaft) and the church as the branches who derive their life and fruitfulness from the vine as long as they remain attached to the vine. It represents the Tree of Life, that gives eternal life to those who eat of it (another foreshadowing of Jesus and the cross.
The fact that all of these items for this part of the tabernacle (the Most Holy Place and Holy of Holies) are all made of pure gold represents the divinity, pureness, and perfection of God. There is no amalgamated metal in these items-only gold is used. The gold also depicts the immense worth of God, being the most precious metal on earth. This also represents that the Most Holy Place and Holy of Holies are the realm of the Divine Presence-of which Jesus is worthy to enter and represent us, mediate for us, and pray to the Father for us. He brings us to the Father in Himself. We are united with Him and part of His body now, washed and re-created by the Holy Spirit. There is no outside light in these places, just the light of the Lampstand (Jesus-the true Light of the Universe).
The Scriptures say that the Father dwells in inapproachable light. We would not survive seeing Him. No one has seen the Father, except the eternal Son-Jesus-who is God and man in one Person forever-our perfect Savior, and the One Whom we will see face to face in heaven. Jesus is the Light of the World-we can look upon Him in heaven and still live. But I don't think that we will actually see the Father ever. We will always experience the Presence of God through the Spirit in this life and in Jesus in heaven.
This chapter is so full of pattern, symbol, representation, and foreshadowing, I think it would be hard to exhaust all of the meaning God designed into these items of the tabernacle. I can't wait to discover in heaven what the true reality these patterns and shadows represent in the tabernacle.
The next item is the golden lampstand (literal meaning of menorah)-not candles, but lamps lit with olive oil. it was to be made of one singular piece of pure gold hammered into shape. The menorah is very intricately designed by YHWH and it would take some skill to create all of the ornamentation out of one piece of gold. It would have a shaft that has one single middle shaft with a lamp on the top and six branches coming out of each side with a lamp on top of each branch. The lampstand bowls are to be made to look like almond blossoms with an ornamental knob and flower for each bowl at the top of each20 years branch and center shaft. They are to be made of the one piece of gold that the whole menorah is to be made from. (I think of Jesus' seamless garment) Lamps are to be made for each bowl along with wick-trimmers and trays (all of pure gold. The lamps are to be fashioned to give light towards the front of it as it will illuminate the table of shewbread. The lampstand is made from one talent of gold (said to be equal to 20 years' worth of wages for one man).
The inside of the Most Holy Place would be dark since it had no windows. The lampstand illuminates the Most Holy Place where the table of shewbread and menorah are placed. The menorah may represent and foreshadow many things. The six arms from each side of the central shaft represent the 12 tribes of Israel (the whole nation) with the central shaft representing YHWH as their guide in the wilderness. The 7 lamps may represent the 7 days of creation or days of the week.
The 7 lamps may foreshadow the seven-fold Spirit of God who enlightens the church. It certainly foreshadows Christ as the Light of the World who gives light to every man. The light of the menorah may represent the light of the Truth of God, the brightness of God's holiness, and the grandeur of the glory of God, the Presence of God among His people.
The gold of the cherubim needed to be heated and beaten to forge them into the shape of the cherubim. They are placed at the (side) ends of the cover with their wings outstretched above the top of the cover with their faces looking down upon this place on top (the Mercy Seat). How the angels desire to look into the mercy and grace of the gospel of Jesus!
These cherubim are to be forged onto the Mercy Seat so that it is all of one piece. YHWH promises to meet with and speak with Moses from upon the Mercy Seat. This tells me that the only way to commune with God is due to Him showing mercy to us. The Mercy Seat is the top of the Ark and covers the Testimony-Book of the Covenant-inside. The Mercy Seat-the Body of Christ-covers the transgressions of the Law that YHWH knows all people will disobey, yet the Law remains untouched, standing true fand good for all time. Some say that the ark represents the throne of God in heaven.
The next item for the tabernacle is the Table for the Shewbread (Bread of the Face or Presence). The table is also made of acacia wood with very specific dimensions, overlaid in pure gold with molding all around the edge. This, too, has four rings attached at the outside corners with wood overlaid in gold poles to go through the rings (and not to be removed). Table is to have a sturdy frame and four legs. Next, the utensils are to be made-pans, pitchers, and bowls-all of pure gold. On the table the shewbread is to always be on this table. The shewbread-unleavened-may be a reminder to the Israelites of the manna given to them in their desert years to sustain them and it also represents Jesus as the Bread of Life we are to eat and live. ( John 6), also, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." We are to feast on the Word, Jesus, ( John 1:1) who came from the Father, as well as the Scripture, that testify to Jesus from start to finish. We need to be nourished by Him continually.
This request by YHWH challenges me to be more generous towards God than I have been and reminds me that there are some things in our lives that we should set apart for God's use, not matter how costly, dear to us, or rare. It challenges me to desire to give Him my best, what is valuable, and to be willing to sacrifice freely for His work and will.
YHWH goes on to explain that the tabernacle will be after the pattern that He will show Moses as well as each item will be after the pattern He gives. YHWH does not just say, "Make me a tabernacle and furnish it, both in the way that you see fit to design and make." No, He is very specific about every detail. I think this preciseness is important because of what they represent and what they will be a foreshadowing of when the Messiah comes. The tabernacle is not to be designed by or according to man's ideas, but God's.
YHWH begins first with the making of the furnishings, not the structure of the tabernacle. This may be significant, but I don't have any insights on this.
The first item to be made is the ark. (YHWH had given Noah specific instructions to make the ark before the flood.)
This ark was to be made of the acacia wood with specific dimensions for width, length, and height. The wood was to be overlaid in pure gold, inside and out. I have read that the ark is a representation of Jesus, wood being His humanity, and pure gold being His deity. It would have gold molding all around. There are to be cast rings on the outside of each corner. Two poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold are to be placed in the rings so that the ark can be carried. These poles are not to be removed.
The Testimony-Book of the Covenant- was to be placed within the ark. This may symbolize the perfect law of God fulfilled perfectly by the perfect Messiah.
Next to be made is the Mercy Seat cover. It, too, is to be made of acacia wood overlaid in pure gold. Two gold cherubim that are hammered into shape
This chapter describes the making of items for the tabernacle of meeting in fine detail. The directions are meticulous and exacting, representative of the absolute reality of each item's counterpart in heaven. These are said to be made after a pattern as well as a shadow of what is truly real.
The chapter begins with YHWH telling Moses to speak to the people, asking them to bring an offering to the YHWH voluntarily (God loves a cheerful giver) in a heartfelt way (worshipful). Then YHWH lists the items He asks the people to bring to Moses:
gold, silver, bronze
blue, purple, and scarlet fine linen
goat's hair, ram's skins (dyed red), badger skins
acacia wood, oil, spices
onyx, and various stones
YHWH reveals the purpose of these things offered is to make a tabernacle (sanctuary) (place of worship and meeting with YHWH) so that He may dwell among the Israelites.
YHWH is asking the people to bring to him costly things or rare things. Most of the metals were from the jewelry and items the Israelites received from the Egyptians just before fleeing the country. The dyed cloth was luxurious (not for everyday clothing). The hair and the skins from the animals involved slaying these creatures. Goats and rams they had as livestock, but badgers were wild (and fierce). The wood was from a tall tree with a rounded crown that grew in the wilderness, but sparsely, not as in forests. And the precious stones were also considered luxurious.
The items YHWH wanted made from these things required a large quantity of these things, so generosity was needed to supply all that was needed, even though the Israelites left Egypt in haste and not with ALL of their household goods. They probably didn't have a lot of excess of some of these things and most likely each served a good purpose for the people in their journey. They were to give sacrificially to YHWH, likely testing many of the Israelites since replenishing these things was unlikely in
The law of Priests, regarding the Ark of The Covenant & Holy of Holies : Exodus 25:8-22, Exodus 26:33,34, Leviticus 16:1-34, Deuteronomy 10:8,
note: Hebrews 9:3-5,
1Samuel 3:1-3, 1Samuel 3:19, * 1Samuel 3:20, 1Samuel 7:15,16,17, 1Samuel 8:1, doesn't call Samuel or his sons priests, 1Samuel 9:9,10,15,19,
* 1Samuel 4:3-11, 1Samuel 4:22, 1Samuel 5:1, 1Samuel 7:2, The Ark of The Covenant was taken,
1Samuel 8:5,6,7,19,22,
David didn't become King until after Samuel passed on. 1Samuel 25:1, while David was still hiding from Saul. 2Samuel 6:1-9, is David's 1st attempt to retrieve the Ark of The Covenant, 2Samuel 6, * 1Chronicles 13:3, Please also read 1Chronicles 15,
Significant note: Luke 1:5-23, Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45,
( EXODUS 25:13-14). Later it is specified that of the Levites, it would be the job of the sons of Kohath to bear the ark and that no one was to touch the ark, not even the sons of Kohath, the result of doing so was to die (Num.4:15).
Yet, some might determine that would only apply to initially loading it upon some beast of burden or such. Yet, this is made clear when beasts of burden were donated to the priests, "But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders" ( Num. 7:9), the items making up the tabernacle. Now fast forward some four hundred years and the ark of the covenant has been captured by the Philistines and then returned to Israel, but not back to where the tabernacle was. David saw fit to have it brought back. It is recorded that, "they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart" ( II Sam. 6:3). At one point, "Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah: and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God" ( II Sam. 6:4). So, now what can we learn about how to transport an ark, or really to carry out any command of God?
Tabernacle also as per Old Testament: Exodus 25:8,9, Exodus 26, there is much detail in the Tabernacle GOD had Moses build in several more chapters following Exodus 25, 26, 27, 30
The context and language of Genesis 2:7 clearly rule out any evolutionary processes. This is evident from the fact that: (1) man is alone; (2) God breathes into his nostrils the "breath of life"; and (3) he is formed from the dust of the ground.
Because Adam cannot find a helper (zer) who corresponds (knegd) to him from among the animals ( Genesis 2:20), the LORD God puts him into a deep sleep (cf. Jonah 1:5-6) and makes (bn) a woman, who corresponds to him, from his "rib" ( Genesis 2:18). The verb bn depicts the LORD God as "building" Eve out of the "rib" or side of Adam ( Genesis 2:22). It is used elsewhere in Genesis for the physical building of a city and a tower ( Genesis 4:17, 11:4; cf. Amos 9:6). The word rib (l) complements the word built, as it appears numerous times in the building of the tabernacle ( Exodus 25:12, 26:20, 27:7, 30:4, 36:31-32, 37:3, 38:7). This is a beautiful picture of how the LORD God constructed the first woman. The term built also compliments the craftsman's term fashion used for the creation of Adam ( Genesis 2:7), as the LORD God is now working with hard material and not soft dust. Eve, unlike Adam, was not created from the ground, but her source comes from a "living creature." There is no way to harmonize Genesis 2:22 with theistic evolution: it is describing supernatural creation!
A cubit is considered the length from the elbow to the end of the fingers of a grown man. People would make a rope of a stick this length and use it for measuring. The accepted length of a cubit varied from culture to culture. In Egypt, it was closer to 24", in the area of Canaan, it was around 18-20 inches. You can Google online and find out the size of the ark.
Tammy, I don't believe that it's a sin to want to be cremated or for another person to take that decision to do so to the deceased. At least, the Bible doesn't speak of it in those terms. The evidence of cremation is generally seen amongst the heathen, whether for their dead or as part of human sacrifice. Amongst Israel, cremation was not normally done, rather a burial or entombment. Though we do see evidence of cremation in 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (Saul & his sons) & Joshua 7:25 (Achan's sin).
So cremation is one option of dealing with the deceased. In both cases, burial or cremation, the body returns to its former state. It then becomes a matter of how respect is best shown, preservation of the cremains, & of costs associated with it. My preference would, as far as possible, be a burial, in line with biblical practises.
Hello David. The Bible does not specify what happened to the fire on the Altar whilst Israel was on their march. Just as we don't know how the Shewbread on the table ( Exodus 25:30) was replaced. I understand most scholars agree that the Fire was extinguished for the duration of the march, but re-lit whilst in situ near the Tabernacle. Likewise, the Shewbread was replaced by a synchronized sliding in of the new Bread as the old one was removed.
It's interesting that the Jerusalem Talmud has this to say about it (for your interest only & not as declared Truth):
"Rabbi Yohanan said, "Even during transport the fire was not allowed to go out". What did they do? During transport they covered the fire with a copper hood. Rabbi Shimon said, "During transport they tended the fire in a separate vessel, not on the altar itself".
Whether Jews today still accept the belief of those Rabbis, I'm unclear.
GOD bless everyone on this Christmas day, and to remember that we are called to know HIM not just a babe in the manger, but more so as the SAVIOR of sinful man.
May we read and follow the scriptures in order to fashion and allow ourselves to become useful tools or implements in GOD'S ministry.
LORD bless the peace in Jerusalem and the saints there, as we worship YOU in truth and in spirit.
Merry Christmas everyone. Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2: 11-14
The LORD to shine HIS face on you and bless you gloriously.
December 24, 2023
Colossians 2:4 "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words."
1 John 2:1 "My little children these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sins we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"
Ephesians 2:3 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Exodus 25:13
Hebrews 9:5 "And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly."
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
1 Peter 2:25 "For ye were as sheep gone astray; but now are returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
Isaiah 42:1 "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring judgement to the Gentiles."
John 8:28- 29 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak those things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always these things that please him."
1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Romans 9:5 "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
Psalms 45:7 "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
John 17:1 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are."
P4 follows
I meant Exodus 25:13 written out caused the stumble.
That's certainly not something I found on my own.
Here's a article from J vernon mcgee.
Part 1 of 5.
The floor lamp is not a modern invention, but it is as old as the Tabernacle at least. The Tabernacle contained a floor lamp, and that is what the golden candlestick was in the Holy Place. We are substituting the more descriptive title, "lampstand," for the King James rendering of "candlestick." It was more than a candlestick, as we designate such. The blueprint for it is given in Exodus 25:
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
( Exodus 25:31-40)
See part 2.
I don't think its forbidden to make just "anything" from wood. If you have a certain scripture in mind, go ahead and post that and we'll take a look at what it says, whether it was a specific law for Israelites or ritual law or what. God blessed us with wood to use for all kinds of things. The Bible has many things made of wood, like the cross Jesus carried, both arks Exodus 25:10, and Jesus was a carpenter, so he made all kinds of things of wood as his job. People use wood paper to write on, to read books, like the Bible, and use it for toilet paper, paper towels and all kinds of products that would hard to avoid. Of course if the Bible said to avoid wood we would need to do that, but I'm not aware of anywhere in the Bible saying that. If it actually said that, a lot of people would not be able to live in an apartment or house or gather in a church, because most are made from wood.
I don't believe crosses are wrong. I believe idols and idol worship are wrong. If someone is worshipping a cross that is wrong. I haven't heard of anyone doing that. If the cross represents what Jesus did for us I think that's a good thing to worship Jesus in the presence of one. I've seen videos of catholics bowing to a statue of mary as a god. That is wrong. What is the object of worship should be the question.
Do you have a verse that says decorations are wrong- whether you have a hood ornament on a car or a house with a door knob with a design or a Bible cover? Is it possible you are merging a few verses like the one about women wearing excessive adornments 1 Peter 3:3?
1Samuel 16:13,
Note: 1Samuel 2:27-36, 1Samuel 13, notice 1Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22,23, 1Samuel 2:10, 1Samuel 2:18, 1Samuel 23, 1Samuel 30:7,
1Chronicles 15:27,
1Samuel 2:35,
Hopefully these are helpful
Exodus 25:9,
1Corinthians 5:1,
Hebrews 8, Hebrews 9, James 1:5,
Hopefully these are helpful
I'd like to say something about the oil filled lamp stand. It was beautiful and it gave light to the holy place, the place of worship. It was a shaft with 6 branches, three on each side. The shaft and the 3 sides held the lights and the stand represents our Lord Jesus Christ. He's in the midst of the candlesticks/branches. The light is the Holyspirit and shows the beauty of the lampstand our Lord.
"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:14."
God bless.
Another good observation!
Of hollies their were three sections this will sound very familial the way the truth
And the life John 14: 6.
There are some interesting concepts with Melchizedek and the fact that somehow true worship wasn't limited to those who were to be the descendants of Abraham; that is in the bloodline of the Jewish nation. This shows; when we study the origin of nations that indeed before pagan worship there was true worship at least in some places AFTER the flood. We can see something to the effect that the boundaries of the nations were divided as per the sons of Israel ( Deut 32:8).
I am going to say some very deep thoughts here. First off; we must consider carefully the image of the beast and his worship that will come. We must remember that Satan came from where he was walking in the midst of the stones of fire ( Ezekiel 28:14-16). The whole pattern; and ornate wealth will doubtless endow the Antichrist in the beginning of the Tribulation as the woman rides the beast in all her glory. (See Habukkuk 2:9-14; Daniel 11:39; Daniel 11:43). No doubt there will be an amalgamation of religions then of course later Antichrist destroys the woman for worship of himself. This shows why we should have no graven images of God. The mind of man cannot fathom these things; and sadly will fall for the man of sin in the Temple.
We shall indeed have things in heaven but also on earth to look forward to; restored and with Satan's influence at last restrained completely. Finally; the veil will be lifted off all nations ( Isaiah 25:7). I do believe in a Millennial Temple; although would think in eternity there will be no more death of animals.
The Lampstand foreshadows Jesus as the true vine (central shaft) and the church as the branches who derive their life and fruitfulness from the vine as long as they remain attached to the vine. It represents the Tree of Life, that gives eternal life to those who eat of it (another foreshadowing of Jesus and the cross.
The fact that all of these items for this part of the tabernacle (the Most Holy Place and Holy of Holies) are all made of pure gold represents the divinity, pureness, and perfection of God. There is no amalgamated metal in these items-only gold is used. The gold also depicts the immense worth of God, being the most precious metal on earth. This also represents that the Most Holy Place and Holy of Holies are the realm of the Divine Presence-of which Jesus is worthy to enter and represent us, mediate for us, and pray to the Father for us. He brings us to the Father in Himself. We are united with Him and part of His body now, washed and re-created by the Holy Spirit. There is no outside light in these places, just the light of the Lampstand (Jesus-the true Light of the Universe).
The Scriptures say that the Father dwells in inapproachable light. We would not survive seeing Him. No one has seen the Father, except the eternal Son-Jesus-who is God and man in one Person forever-our perfect Savior, and the One Whom we will see face to face in heaven. Jesus is the Light of the World-we can look upon Him in heaven and still live. But I don't think that we will actually see the Father ever. We will always experience the Presence of God through the Spirit in this life and in Jesus in heaven.
This chapter is so full of pattern, symbol, representation, and foreshadowing, I think it would be hard to exhaust all of the meaning God designed into these items of the tabernacle. I can't wait to discover in heaven what the true reality these patterns and shadows represent in the tabernacle.
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The next item is the golden lampstand (literal meaning of menorah)-not candles, but lamps lit with olive oil. it was to be made of one singular piece of pure gold hammered into shape. The menorah is very intricately designed by YHWH and it would take some skill to create all of the ornamentation out of one piece of gold. It would have a shaft that has one single middle shaft with a lamp on the top and six branches coming out of each side with a lamp on top of each branch. The lampstand bowls are to be made to look like almond blossoms with an ornamental knob and flower for each bowl at the top of each20 years branch and center shaft. They are to be made of the one piece of gold that the whole menorah is to be made from. (I think of Jesus' seamless garment) Lamps are to be made for each bowl along with wick-trimmers and trays (all of pure gold. The lamps are to be fashioned to give light towards the front of it as it will illuminate the table of shewbread. The lampstand is made from one talent of gold (said to be equal to 20 years' worth of wages for one man).
The inside of the Most Holy Place would be dark since it had no windows. The lampstand illuminates the Most Holy Place where the table of shewbread and menorah are placed. The menorah may represent and foreshadow many things. The six arms from each side of the central shaft represent the 12 tribes of Israel (the whole nation) with the central shaft representing YHWH as their guide in the wilderness. The 7 lamps may represent the 7 days of creation or days of the week.
The 7 lamps may foreshadow the seven-fold Spirit of God who enlightens the church. It certainly foreshadows Christ as the Light of the World who gives light to every man. The light of the menorah may represent the light of the Truth of God, the brightness of God's holiness, and the grandeur of the glory of God, the Presence of God among His people.
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The gold of the cherubim needed to be heated and beaten to forge them into the shape of the cherubim. They are placed at the (side) ends of the cover with their wings outstretched above the top of the cover with their faces looking down upon this place on top (the Mercy Seat). How the angels desire to look into the mercy and grace of the gospel of Jesus!
These cherubim are to be forged onto the Mercy Seat so that it is all of one piece. YHWH promises to meet with and speak with Moses from upon the Mercy Seat. This tells me that the only way to commune with God is due to Him showing mercy to us. The Mercy Seat is the top of the Ark and covers the Testimony-Book of the Covenant-inside. The Mercy Seat-the Body of Christ-covers the transgressions of the Law that YHWH knows all people will disobey, yet the Law remains untouched, standing true fand good for all time. Some say that the ark represents the throne of God in heaven.
The next item for the tabernacle is the Table for the Shewbread (Bread of the Face or Presence). The table is also made of acacia wood with very specific dimensions, overlaid in pure gold with molding all around the edge. This, too, has four rings attached at the outside corners with wood overlaid in gold poles to go through the rings (and not to be removed). Table is to have a sturdy frame and four legs. Next, the utensils are to be made-pans, pitchers, and bowls-all of pure gold. On the table the shewbread is to always be on this table. The shewbread-unleavened-may be a reminder to the Israelites of the manna given to them in their desert years to sustain them and it also represents Jesus as the Bread of Life we are to eat and live. ( John 6), also, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." We are to feast on the Word, Jesus, ( John 1:1) who came from the Father, as well as the Scripture, that testify to Jesus from start to finish. We need to be nourished by Him continually.
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This request by YHWH challenges me to be more generous towards God than I have been and reminds me that there are some things in our lives that we should set apart for God's use, not matter how costly, dear to us, or rare. It challenges me to desire to give Him my best, what is valuable, and to be willing to sacrifice freely for His work and will.
YHWH goes on to explain that the tabernacle will be after the pattern that He will show Moses as well as each item will be after the pattern He gives. YHWH does not just say, "Make me a tabernacle and furnish it, both in the way that you see fit to design and make." No, He is very specific about every detail. I think this preciseness is important because of what they represent and what they will be a foreshadowing of when the Messiah comes. The tabernacle is not to be designed by or according to man's ideas, but God's.
YHWH begins first with the making of the furnishings, not the structure of the tabernacle. This may be significant, but I don't have any insights on this.
The first item to be made is the ark. (YHWH had given Noah specific instructions to make the ark before the flood.)
This ark was to be made of the acacia wood with specific dimensions for width, length, and height. The wood was to be overlaid in pure gold, inside and out. I have read that the ark is a representation of Jesus, wood being His humanity, and pure gold being His deity. It would have gold molding all around. There are to be cast rings on the outside of each corner. Two poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold are to be placed in the rings so that the ark can be carried. These poles are not to be removed.
The Testimony-Book of the Covenant- was to be placed within the ark. This may symbolize the perfect law of God fulfilled perfectly by the perfect Messiah.
Next to be made is the Mercy Seat cover. It, too, is to be made of acacia wood overlaid in pure gold. Two gold cherubim that are hammered into shape
Furniture
This chapter describes the making of items for the tabernacle of meeting in fine detail. The directions are meticulous and exacting, representative of the absolute reality of each item's counterpart in heaven. These are said to be made after a pattern as well as a shadow of what is truly real.
The chapter begins with YHWH telling Moses to speak to the people, asking them to bring an offering to the YHWH voluntarily (God loves a cheerful giver) in a heartfelt way (worshipful). Then YHWH lists the items He asks the people to bring to Moses:
gold, silver, bronze
blue, purple, and scarlet fine linen
goat's hair, ram's skins (dyed red), badger skins
acacia wood, oil, spices
onyx, and various stones
YHWH reveals the purpose of these things offered is to make a tabernacle (sanctuary) (place of worship and meeting with YHWH) so that He may dwell among the Israelites.
YHWH is asking the people to bring to him costly things or rare things. Most of the metals were from the jewelry and items the Israelites received from the Egyptians just before fleeing the country. The dyed cloth was luxurious (not for everyday clothing). The hair and the skins from the animals involved slaying these creatures. Goats and rams they had as livestock, but badgers were wild (and fierce). The wood was from a tall tree with a rounded crown that grew in the wilderness, but sparsely, not as in forests. And the precious stones were also considered luxurious.
The items YHWH wanted made from these things required a large quantity of these things, so generosity was needed to supply all that was needed, even though the Israelites left Egypt in haste and not with ALL of their household goods. They probably didn't have a lot of excess of some of these things and most likely each served a good purpose for the people in their journey. They were to give sacrificially to YHWH, likely testing many of the Israelites since replenishing these things was unlikely in
this place.
Exodus 25:31,32, placement, Exodus 26:35, Leviticus 24:4, Hebrews 9:1-28,
Jeremiah 52:19,
Matthew 5:14-16,
Revelation 1:12-20, Revelation 2:1-5, Revelation 11:3-4, Revelation 22,
Hopefully these are helpful in your study
Hebrews 10:1-31, Hebrews 9:1-28,
The law of Priests, regarding the Ark of The Covenant & Holy of Holies : Exodus 25:8-22, Exodus 26:33,34, Leviticus 16:1-34, Deuteronomy 10:8,
note: Hebrews 9:3-5,
1Samuel 3:1-3, 1Samuel 3:19, * 1Samuel 3:20, 1Samuel 7:15,16,17, 1Samuel 8:1, doesn't call Samuel or his sons priests, 1Samuel 9:9,10,15,19,
* 1Samuel 4:3-11, 1Samuel 4:22, 1Samuel 5:1, 1Samuel 7:2, The Ark of The Covenant was taken,
1Samuel 8:5,6,7,19,22,
David didn't become King until after Samuel passed on. 1Samuel 25:1, while David was still hiding from Saul. 2Samuel 6:1-9, is David's 1st attempt to retrieve the Ark of The Covenant, 2Samuel 6, * 1Chronicles 13:3, Please also read 1Chronicles 15,
Significant note: Luke 1:5-23, Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45,
Yet, some might determine that would only apply to initially loading it upon some beast of burden or such. Yet, this is made clear when beasts of burden were donated to the priests, "But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders" ( Num. 7:9), the items making up the tabernacle. Now fast forward some four hundred years and the ark of the covenant has been captured by the Philistines and then returned to Israel, but not back to where the tabernacle was. David saw fit to have it brought back. It is recorded that, "they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart" ( II Sam. 6:3). At one point, "Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah: and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God" ( II Sam. 6:4). So, now what can we learn about how to transport an ark, or really to carry out any command of God?
Exodus 30:36, Exodus 33:7, Ezekiel 37:27,
2Corinthians 5:1,4, Hebrews 8:1-13, - Hebrews 9:1-28,
Interesting it also has been referred to as temporary, moveable, place of worship & to meet GOD.
Hopefully this is also helpful
Part 4.
The context and language of Genesis 2:7 clearly rule out any evolutionary processes. This is evident from the fact that: (1) man is alone; (2) God breathes into his nostrils the "breath of life"; and (3) he is formed from the dust of the ground.
Because Adam cannot find a helper (zer) who corresponds (knegd) to him from among the animals ( Genesis 2:20), the LORD God puts him into a deep sleep (cf. Jonah 1:5-6) and makes (bn) a woman, who corresponds to him, from his "rib" ( Genesis 2:18). The verb bn depicts the LORD God as "building" Eve out of the "rib" or side of Adam ( Genesis 2:22). It is used elsewhere in Genesis for the physical building of a city and a tower ( Genesis 4:17, 11:4; cf. Amos 9:6). The word rib (l) complements the word built, as it appears numerous times in the building of the tabernacle ( Exodus 25:12, 26:20, 27:7, 30:4, 36:31-32, 37:3, 38:7). This is a beautiful picture of how the LORD God constructed the first woman. The term built also compliments the craftsman's term fashion used for the creation of Adam ( Genesis 2:7), as the LORD God is now working with hard material and not soft dust. Eve, unlike Adam, was not created from the ground, but her source comes from a "living creature." There is no way to harmonize Genesis 2:22 with theistic evolution: it is describing supernatural creation!
See part 5.
How big is a cubit? I'm trying to figure out how big the ark of the sanctuary was.
Sincerely,
Martha Hatcher(Martie)
So cremation is one option of dealing with the deceased. In both cases, burial or cremation, the body returns to its former state. It then becomes a matter of how respect is best shown, preservation of the cremains, & of costs associated with it. My preference would, as far as possible, be a burial, in line with biblical practises.
It's interesting that the Jerusalem Talmud has this to say about it (for your interest only & not as declared Truth):
"Rabbi Yohanan said, "Even during transport the fire was not allowed to go out". What did they do? During transport they covered the fire with a copper hood. Rabbi Shimon said, "During transport they tended the fire in a separate vessel, not on the altar itself".
Whether Jews today still accept the belief of those Rabbis, I'm unclear.