The tabernacle has been made, we saw the description in chapter 36, and now the equipment to fill it is being made. In chapter 37, Bezalel makes the ark, then the mercy seat, the two cherubim, he builds the table of the bread of presence and its vessels, thereafter making the lamp stand. The chapter ends with the making of the altar of incense and the perfumer’s production of the holy anointing oil and incense. Exodus 37
1. Now Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood, (vs.1) He overlaid it with pure gold inside and out and put a gold molding around it. (vs.2) He made rings of gold and the poles to go inside the rings for carrying it. (vs.3-5). The ark was the focal point of the presence of God, for He said that He would dwell between the cheribum who hovered over the mercy seat. How does Jesus bring us into the presence of God today? Look up the verses below and comment on them.
- John 14:6 -
- 1 Timothy 2:5 -
- Hebrews 10:19-22 -
- Ephesians 2:1-10
- Titus 3:5-7 -
- 1 Peter 1:3-5 -
- Hebrews 4:16 -
3. Back to Exodus 37. After this, Belzalel made the table that would hold the shewbread or the "Bread of Presence". (vs.10-16). The bread was put out daily to show that God was present to meet their everyday needs. He is the Provider. How have we been shown that Jesus, the Word of God, is what we live on daily and He meets our daily needs? Look up the verses and comment on this.
- Matthew 4:4 -
- Matthew 6:11 -
- Matthew 26:26 -
- John 6:31-35 -
- John 6:48-51 -
4. Then Bezalel made the lampstand made of pure gold. It was hammered work of one piece with cups, bulbs, flowers and branches going out on each side. (vs.17-24). What do we see in the life of Jesus that shows us He is the lampstand in the true tabernacle of heaven and in our lives? Comment on the following verses.
- John 1:9 -
- John 3:19 -
- John 8:12 -
- John 12:46 -
5. Back to Exodus 37. The next Bezalel made was the altar of incense. It is described in verses 25-28. We looked at this in a previous lesson; how it was the place where incense was burned right before entering into the holy of holies, which the high priest did once a year to atone for the sins of the people. The incense never went out which was a reminder that it was for the pleasure of the Lord who was always present in the Holy of Holies. We saw that the incense burns in heaven and the prayers of the saints are added to it. Let's look at those verses again and remind ourselves of how we are a sweet aroma to the Lord and how our prayers rise up as incense to His holy presence. Comment on the verses below:
- Revelation 5:8 -
- Revelation 8;3-4 -
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 -
- 2 Corinthians 2:15 -
Application
7. The furnishings looked at today were all inside the holy place and even the ark is inside the holy of holies after passing by the fragrant aroma of the altar of incense. Before getting to that place of fellowship, there were continual burnt offerings going on daily in the outer court all day long all year long to cover the sin of the people.
When we draw near for precious communion with the Lord, let us remember that it is only possible to fellowship with a Holy God because of the sacrifice and blood that Jesus Christ has shed for us to take away our sin. The Lord desires to fellowship with us and that is why He is the One that gave the plans and prepared the people for such a great task to make a tent where they could have fellowship and He could dwell among them.
Let us draw near today, remembering the sacrifice our Lord made to make this fellowship possible. Look upon the messages of the cross and spend time in prayer thanking Him for the sacrifice made for you. Comment on these verses.
- Acts 2:22-24-
- Ephesians 2:14-22 -
- Philippians 2:8-9 -
- Colossians 2:13-14 -
- Hebrews 2:9-10 -
- Hebrews 2:17 -
- Hebrews 12:2-3 -
- Isaiah 53:4-6 -
- 1 Peter 2:22-25 -
8. Summarize this chapter and post a prayer if you would like.
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