按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
14：9。 Says the Scripture； 〃Forever； O Lord； Thy word is settled in heaven。〃
〃All His commandments are sure。 They stand fast forever and ever。〃 Psalms
119：89； 111：7； 8。 The sacred statutes which Satan has hated and sought to
destroy； will be honored throughout a sinless universe。 And 〃as the earth
bringeth forth her bud； and as the garden causeth the things that are sown
in it to spring forth； so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring forth before all nations。〃 Isaiah 61：11。
（343）
Chapter 30
The Tabernacle and Its Services
The command was communicated to Moses while in the mount with God； 〃Let them
make Me a sanctuary； that I may dwell among them；〃 and full directions were
given for the construction of the tabernacle。 By their apostasy the
Israelites forfeited the blessing of the divine Presence； and for the time
rendered impossible the erection of a sanctuary for God among them。 But
after they were again taken into favor with Heaven； the great leader
proceeded to execute the divine command。
Chosen men were especially endowed by God with skill and wisdom for the
construction of the sacred building。 God Himself gave to Moses the plan of
that structure； with particular directions as to its size and form； the
materials to be employed； and every article of furniture which it was to
contain。 The holy places made with hands were to be 〃figures of the true；〃
patterns of things in the heavens〃 （Hebrews 9：24； 23）a miniature
representation of the heavenly temple where Christ； our great High Priest；
after offering His life as a sacrifice； was to minister in the sinner's
behalf。 God presented before Moses in the mount a view of the heavenly
sanctuary； and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern
shown him。 All these directions were carefully recorded by Moses； who
communicated them to the leaders of the people。
For the building of the sanctuary great and expensive preparations were
necessary； a large amount of the most precious and costly material was
required； yet the Lord accepted only freewill offerings。 〃Of every man that
giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering〃 was the divine
command repeated by Moses to the congregation。 Devotion to God and a spirit
of sacrifice were the first requisites in preparing a dwelling place for the
Most High。
344
All the people responded with one accord。 〃They came； every one whose heart
stirred him up； and every one whom his spirit made willing； and they brought
the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation； and
for all His service； and for the holy garments。 And they came； both men and
women； as many as were willinghearted； and brought bracelets； and earrings；
and rings； and tablets； all jewels of gold： and every man that offered；
offered an offering of gold unto the Lord。〃
〃And every man with whom was found blue； and purple； and scarlet； and fine
linen； and goats' hair； and rams' skins dyed red； and sealskins； brought
them。 Everyone that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the
Lord's offering： and every man； with whom was found acacia wood for any work
of the service； brought it。
〃And all the women that were wisehearted did spin with their hands； and
brought that which they had spun； the blue； and the purple； the scarlet； and
the fine linen。 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun
the goats' hair。
〃And the rulers brought the onyx stones； and the stones to be set； for the
ephod； and for the breastplate； and the spice； and the oil； for the light；
and for the anointing oil； and for the sweet incense。〃 Exodus 35：23…28； R。V。
While the building of the sanctuary was in progress the people； old and
youngmen； women； and childrencontinued to bring their offerings； until
those in charge of the work found that they had enough； and even more than
could be used。 And Moses caused to be proclaimed throughout the camp； 〃Let
neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary。
So the people were restrained from bringing。〃 The murmurings of the
Israelites and the visitations of God's judgments because of their sins are
recorded as a warning to after…generations。 And their devotion； their zeal
and liberality； are an example worthy of imitation。 All who love the worship
of God and prize the blessing of His sacred presence will manifest the same
spirit of sacrifice in preparing a house where He may meet with them。 They
will desire to bring to the Lord an offering of the very best that they
possess。 A house built for God should not be left in debt； for He is thereby
dishonored。 An amount sufficient to accomplish the work should be freely
given； that the workmen
347
may be able to say； as did the builders of the tabernacle； 〃Bring no more
offerings。〃
The tabernacle was so constructed that it could be taken apart and borne
with the Israelites in all their journeyings。 It was therefore small； being
not more than fifty…five feet in length； and eighteen in breadth and height。
Yet it was a magnificent structure。 The wood employed for the building and
its furniture was that of the acacia tree； which was less subject to decay
than any other to be obtained at Sinai。 The walls consisted of upright
boards； set in silver sockets； and held firm by pillars and connecting bars；
and all were overlaid with gold； giving to the building the appearance of
solid gold。 The roof was formed of four sets of curtains； the innermost of
〃fine twined linen； and blue； and purple； and scarlet： with cherubim of
cunning work；〃 the other three respectively were of goats' hair； rams' skins
dyed red； and sealskins； so arranged as to afford complete protection。
The building was divided into two apartments by a rich and beautiful
curtain； or veil； suspended from gold…plated pillars； and a similar veil
closed the entrance of the first apartment。 These； like the inner covering；
which formed the ceiling； were of the most gorgeous colors； blue； purple；
and scarlet； beautifully arranged； while inwrought with threads of gold and
silver were cherubim to represent the angelic host who are connected with
the work of the heavenly sanctuary and who are ministering spirits to the
people of God on earth。
The sacred tent was enclosed in an open space called the court； which was
surrounded by hangings； or screens； of fine linen； suspended from pillars of
brass。 The entrance to this enclosure was at the eastern end。 It was closed
by curtains of costly material and beautiful workmanship； though inferior to
those of the sanctuary。 The hangings of the court being only about half as
high as the walls of the tabernacle； the building could be plainly seen by
the people without。 In the court； and nearest the entrance； stood the brazen
altar of burnt offering。 Upon this altar were consumed all the sacrifices
made by fire unto the Lord； and its horns were sprinkled with the atoning
blood。 Between the altar and the