Wisdom & Supplies

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Wisdom

 

Wednesday 02/07/18 

Message – Wisdom & Supplies

Series: Thru the Bible – Exodus

***Video is HERE***

 

 

 

Keeping the Sabbath

Exodus 31:12-17

The last command of God to Moses before giving him the 1st set of the 10 commandments was to keep the Sabbath holy.

Israel supplies materials for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:1-9/30:11-16:

God commissions Israel with the task of supplying for and building the tabernacle.

  • A Gerah was a measurement of weight and was equal to about 1/20th of a shekel and 1/6000 of a talent.
  • A shekel was a unit of weight for metals. It was a unit of weight for metals that was probably around twelve grams or one-half ounce. So a shekel would be a different material measurement based on the metal being weighed.

 

Materials brought were:

Metals:  silver, for those that were made of that, as the silver sockets to the boards of the tabernacle, the silver trumpets (Numbers , &c. and “brass”: Aben Ezra rightly observes, that no mention is made of iron).

 

  • Gold – Only used INSIDE the Tabernacle to make or cover those things which were most holy like the mercy seat and cherubim, the Menorah, the ark, the shewbread table, and other things. Presumably Purity and/or Deity.
      • According to Ex 38 they gave 2,800 lbs. of gold.
  • Silver – Chiefly INSIDE the Tabernacle. Use for sockets and the silver trumpets mentioned in Num. 10:2; externally only used for the hooks for the outter wall (curtain) of the outter courtyard. Presumably redemption & so freedom – it was used as the ransom money for the lives of Israelites and Jesus’ betrayal by Judas. In Prov. 10:20 it is used to describe the tongue of a righteous person.
      • Silver came to 9,600 lbs
  • Brass – Chiefly used for things EXTERNAL to the tabernacle. The sacrificial altar, its pans, shovels, basins, rings, and staves, the laver, the pillars & sockets for the outter courtyard wall (curtain). The sockets of the front gold pillars & their “curtain loops” were made of bronze. It is used figuratively to indicate sin, filthiness, shame & so judgement. God’s refusal to respond to His people (Deut. 28:23). It is a synonym for filthiness and shame in Ezekiel 16:36. In Num. 21:9 it says, “So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.”. This was a “type” of Christ Who on the cross “became” sin for us – 2 Cor. 5:21 & John 3:14-15 “(14) Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, (15)  so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.” 2 Cor 5:21, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
      • A total of 6,700 lbs. was given. Also, bronze has a melting point of 1,985 degrees which is important in that a continual fire was kept alive in the sacrificial altar.

 

Linen: Linen itself was possibly very white and made of Egyptian flax. White linen seems most often associated with purity and righteousness – Rev. 3:5; 15:6; 19:14

  • Blue – The Hebrew word for this actually means “shellfish”. A brilliant color of blue was extracted from Mollusk shells. It is “suggested” that this color represents Heaven in that the sky is blue. This symbolism stands to reason many times, but not with 100% consistency. Also, both blue & purple cloths were considered costly.
      • The priestly robes were blue. – Ex. 28:31
      • The Crystal platform under God’s throne is described as “Sapphire”. – Ezekiel 10:1
      • The breastplate of the ephod was tied on with strings of blue. – Ex. 28:28
      • The tassels of the garments of men were blue. – Num. 15:38-40

 

  • Scarlet – This color is a little hard to tack down for symbolic meaning. It is compared with blasphemy (the harlot on the scarlet horse Revelation 17:3 – though it’s possible the scarlet here is of imperial dignity, power and authority)& sin (though your sins be as scarlet – Isa. 1:18) but also with prosperity – it was placed upon Jesus to mock Him as king of the Jews (Lamentations 4:5, Matthew 27:28, Revelation 18:12, 16). It is “said” that it can represent sacrifice and therefore blood, but I found no such reference so ultimately I do not know.
  • Purple – This color was obtained by the mixture of scarlet & blue which may contribute to its meaning. IF Blue means from Heaven or Heavenly and IF scarlet represents blood & sacrifice, then this could represent the Royal son from Heaven sent to save.

 

Skins & hair:

  • Goat’s hair – Their hair, which was very long, dark and course, was spun and woven into cloth. The goat, was used for milk, meat & sacrifice. The Goat’s Hair covering was the outter most covering of the tabernacle curtain. It may represent poverty – Heb. 11:37. The goat itself was the animal of sacrifice and substitution once a year.
    • Ram’s skin (dyed red)  A ram is a mature male sheep and often the head of the flock. This is the animal which God provided for Abraham in place of his son Isaac.
  • Dolphin Skin – Again, not much is known of this animal or in fact WHICH animal it actually was. It seems the intention was to use the skin as a type of leather – tough and plain. It almost certainly was intended to represent human flesh.

Wood:

  • Acacia – One of the most common trees in the savannah of Sudan. It has many interesting attributes which add to its use for sake of symbolism, such as it does not rot, it has MANY medicinal properties and in nearly is resistant to insects. So on some level the wood could be called “incorruptible”, which may by a symbolism for Christ in his humanity and our new nature – 1Cor. 15:52; 1Peter 1:4, 23.

Oil:

  • Pressed Olive Oil – Oil is used for anointing for special service to God and to represent the Holy Spirit. Secondary uses are for health, food and the skin to make it shine.

Herbs/spices:

  • Stacte – A powder from the hardened drops of the fragrant resin found in the bark of the Myrrh bush. The word means “a drop”.
  • Onycha – A powder from the shell of a peculiar subspecies of mollusk found in abundance in the Red Sea. When burnt, this powder emits a penetrating aroma. The Hebrew word means- “aromatic shell”.
  • Galbanum – A pungent brown resin extracted from the lower part of the stem of a Ferula plant. This herb is found at the Mediterranean Sea. It has fern like foliage and yellow flowers. Its smell is a bit musky,  and serves as a scent preserver mixed perfume, and extends the longevity of its usefulness.
  • Frankincense – From the gummy sap of the Boswellia tree. The resin drips from the tree and hardens in the shape of a tear. It is odorless until burned. It’s fragrance is characterised by a balsamic-spicy, slightly lemon, fragrance of incense, with a undertone of an evergreen.

Gems: It is useless to specular on these since we do not know which tribes were assigned to which stones and we are not even 100% certain which stones were used. The names offered here are just one suggested by the KJV, but other lists exist which may be just as or more accurate.

  • Onyx
  • Topaz
  • Diamond
  • Jasper
  • Sapphire
  • Amethyst
  • Agate
  • Sardius
  • Emerald
  • Carbuncle
  • Beryl
  • Ligure

Exodus 35:1-29:

Moses tells Israel what God said about supplying for and building the tabernacle. Israel responds. God blesses.

 

Exodus 31:1-11/35:30-35:

God had given the command that all who were skillful in these crafts to come and make all the materials and furnishings for the tabernacle. Then God gave wisdom.

 

God Gives Wisdom

God gives Wisdom, understanding and knowledge. To conceptualize the differences, Prov. 24:3-4, illustrates these three words in the building of a house. The building of a house is by wisdom, the establishment of that house by understanding, and finally, the filling of the rooms of the house by knowledge.

Wisdom:

Hokmah wisdom, skill, experience, shrewdness. The high point of this word and its concept is reached in Prov. 8:1.

Understanding:

Teḇûnāh Understanding or insight. It is contrasted with foolishness (Prov. 15:21; Prov. 18:2). A person of understanding is slow to wrath and walks uprightly (Pro_14:29; Prov. 15:21). God has understanding and gives it (Job 12:13; Psa. 147:5; Prov. 2:6; Isa. 40:28). On the other hand, idolaters, who fashion idols by their own understanding, have no understanding at all (Isa. 44:19; Hos. 3:2).

Knowledge:

Da‛aṯ  Knowing, learning, discernment, insight, and notion. The word describes God’s gift of technical and/or specific knowledge. On the other hand, a lack of knowledge also describes the absence of premeditation or intentionality.

The special areas of crafts needed included:

  • Teacher
  • Gem cutter
  • Gold smith
  • Silver smith
  • Broze smith
  • Woodcarver
  • Carpenter
  • Gilder
  • Seamstress
  • Weaver
  • Embroiderer

Exodus 36:1-7/38:21-31:

More than enough!

 

There is more information in the audio/video of the actual message. I hope you listen, learn and enjoy!

…Blessings! 

 

I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

You have a special place in God’s family & kingdom. If you do not know Him, please use our ‘Contact Us‘ page and reach out so we may have the privilege of introducing you to the Lord. Neither money nor attendance at our church will be mentioned.

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Blessings!

 

Pastor Mark

View posts by Pastor Mark

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!