Story 48: The Mo-sa'ic System Of Sacrifices And Offerings ll

   In presenting this offering the donor must act entirely of his own free will; there was no element of extortion or force by the LORD. The one who made the offering placed his hands on the head of the animal as it was presented to the priest; this was to show that his guilt was to be transferred to the animal which he gave as a sacrifice for his sins. He was required to slay the animal himself, calling attention to the fact that his own sins were the reason for making the offering. The entire procedure of the sacrifice took place in the open, and in a reverent, orderly manner.
   In many respects the Sin Offering was similar to the Burnt Offering. The animals used and the requirements for perfection and cleanliness were the same, and the purpose in both sacrifices was that of removing sin. One difference appears in the fact that the Burnt Offering was made for the entire assembly of Is'ra-el, and for sins in general, although it was sometimes offered by individuals; while the Sin Offering was almost always made by an individual for his own benefit.
   The Sin Offering was also frequently made by a priest for his own sins, and in such cases the entire offering was burnt; while in offering it for others only a part of the animal was burnt, the remainder being given to the priests for food.
   This offering covered every kind of sin: sins of which the donor was conscious, and for which he made a direct confession; and sins which had been committed through ignorance, or without knowing that they were wrong. The sacrifice was an example of the hatefulness of sin in the sight of God, and required the one who made it to prove his repentance by looking upon sin with the same loathing. Through this offering sin was blotted out, and the eating of a part of the animal by the priest was a symbol of God's complete reconciliation with the sinner.
   In the Peace Offering, the donor brought to the priest some animal which had been selected because it was the best which he had. The sacrifice could be a bullock, a ram, a lamb, or a dove. Certain portions were offered to God in burnt sacrifices, while the remainder was eaten by the donor and the priest in a meal of thanksgiving and fellowship. Sometimes friends and relatives of the one who made the sacrifice were invited to take part in the feast. This offering was observed after the Burnt Offering and the Sin Offering, and could not properly be celebrated until peace had been made between God and man.
   There were elements of both confession and consecration in this offering. A portion of the animal was burnt unto the LORD, the blood was sprinkled upon the burnt offering, the donor placed his hands upon the head of the animal, and slew it himself, as in the previous offerings. The outstanding features of this sacrifice, however, were thanksgiving, fellowship, and friendship; and the donor came to the altar in a spirit of joy and spiritual delight.

Story 48: The Mo-sa'ic System Of Sacrifices And Offerings l

   With the setting up of the Tabernacle a new order of worship for Is'ra-el was established. Up to this time Mo'ses alone had been the one through whom God spoke to the people, and who served as their spokesman to God. Now God dwelt among His people in an unseen and mysterious manner, but in a very real sense, in the Holy of Holies. Now there was also provided a means of reaching the LORD every day through the system of sacrificial offerings and ministries of the priesthood, and the people might secure pardon for their sins by offering the sacrifices of repentance.
   Just as the moral law had been issued through Mo'ses from Mount Si'nai, so the laws of worship for the system of sacrifices and ceremonies were given from the Tabernacle. Both were given with equal solemnity, and both were equally binding upon the Is'ra-el-ites.
   In giving Is'ra-el this code of sacrifices, God provided a way by which His people could always reach Him. From the beginning there had been a feeling in the heart of mankind that some sort of sacrificial offering was needed in the worship of God. This feeling grew out of a sense of sin and need, and the knowledge of obligation to God. It was to meet this sense of sin and need, and to provide for Is'ra-el the sacrifices which foreshadowed the atonement made for all believers by Je'sus Christ, that God gave the Mo-sa'ic, or Aa'ron-ic, system of offerings.
   The Divine way for man's approach to God has always been by sacrifice. The objects of the sacrifices appointed for ancient Is'ra-el were the following: to provide a satisfactory way for man to lay his problems before the LORD, to awaken and maintain reverence for God, to secure greater consecration and obedience, and to open a new channel for the expression of man's feelings toward his Maker.
   In the Divinely given ritual for the He'brews there were three principal classes of sacrifices: the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the peace offering. In addition, there were several sacrifices of less importance, including the meat offering, the trespass offering, and consecrations of various kinds. These were usually offered in connection with other sacrifices.
   The first of these sacrifices, both in the order in which they were given, and in importance, was the burnt offering. Its chief purpose was to make atonement for sin, and thereby to keep open man's channel of communication with God.
   The animal to be offered in making this sacrifice must be chosen from the best of the flocks or herds, and must be absolutely free from any flaws or defects. It was entirely consumed by the fire, with no part being withheld from God.
                                              

Story 47: Aa'ron Appointed High Priest; His Garments Of Gold lll

   In the pouch formed by the front and back of the breastplate were placed what was called the U'rim and Thum'mim. No description is given, and whether these words represented material objects, or simply the He'brew terms for "lights and perfections," is not known. They seem to have been a sign to Is'ra-el of God's solemn promise to send information for every need in answer to the prayer of the High Priest.
   Worn over his heart, this article of dress reminded both Aa'ron and the people of the loving care which he must always have for the nation, of the fact that he represented the people before God, and of the duty of faithfully reporting the will of God to Is'ra-el at all times.
   The turban or Mi'tre worn by Aa'ron on his head was made of fine linen, with a gold band encircling the front on which was inscribed "Holiness to the LORD." Crowned with this diadem symbolic of purity and majesty, the High Priest was constantly reminded of his complete consecration to God, and the people were reminded of the holiness which they must always seek.
   Thus we see that even the splendid garments worn by the High Priest had a spiritual meaning in keeping with the purposes of God in founding the whole priestly system of ancient Is'ra-el.
   How wonderfully do all these sublime provisions made for the High Priest of Is'ra-el point to our great High Priest at the right hand of God, who:
               "Exalted high at God's right hand,
                  And LORD of all below;
               Through Him is pardoning love dispensed,
                  And boundless blessings flow.
   The Tabernacle having been completed, the High Priest and his assistants having been provided with suitable garments, Aa'ron and his sons were set apart to their offices by a special service of consecration. They were washed thoroughly, and then anointed with holy oil; this was a symbol of peace, indicating the grace imparted to them by the LORD, and through them to all Is'ra-el. There was also the offering of burnt sacrifices to the LORD, and the sprinkling of blood upon the priests, signs which pointed to the nature of the ministry to which Aa'ron and his sons had been Divinely appointed.
   All these rites and ceremonies clearly signify the absolute necessity for thorough sanctification of heart and life for worshippers of God:
               "No spot or wrinkle on their holy brow,
               No film upon their robes of dazzling white,
               Most beautiful, most glorious; every saint
               HOLY in individual HOLINESS."
  
  

Story 47: Aa'ron Appointed High Priest; His Garments Of Gold ll

   The golden bells, ever tinkling as the High Priest performed the duties of his sacred office, proclaimed to the people that he had found access to God on their behalf, and that his ministries were pleasing to Him.
   The ephod worn by Aa'ron was an ornate upper garment with one part falling over his shoulders in front and covering his breast, and the other falling behind and covering his back. It was made of the same material as the inner curtain and draperies of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, blue, purple, scarlet, and finely twined linen, interwoven with gold threads cut from plates of pure gold. It was tied around the waist with an embroidered girdle made of the same material.
   Upon each of the shoulder pieces of the ephod was an onyx stone set in borders of  gold, on these stones were engraved the names of the twelve heads of the tribes of Is'ra-el. The names of the six elder sons of Ja'cob were on one of these stones, and the names of the six younger sons were engraved on the other.
   This article of dress for the High Priest, expensive, gorgeous, and brilliant, indicated the beauty and glory of the priestly services in the Tabernacle; while the names of the heads of the twelve tribes of Is'ra-el carried upon the shoulders pointed out the High Priest as the only one who could speak for the nation with God. Since gold is the emblem of regal power, the golden garments of Aa'ron were a sign that he was the head of the nation in all religious matters.
   The breastplate was joined to the ephod by chains of gold. It was a highly decorated woven square about ten inches each way, and was worn over the breast. It was made of the same material as the ephod, but was made somewhat in the form of a pouch. It was adorned with twelve precious stones, arranged in three perpendicular rows of four each. Engraved on these sparkling jewels were the names of the tribes of Is'ra-el, one name on each.
   The twelve precious stones, representing each of the twelve tribes of Is'ra-el, were symbolic of the different traits of each one. In the first row were: the Emerald, of brilliant green , on which was the name of Zeb'u-lun; the Diamond, transparent or reddish yellow, bearing the name of Ash'er; the Amethyst, violet-blue, engraved with the name of Ben'ja-min; and the Jasper, dark red, representing Gad.
   In the second row were: the Topaz, golden tinged, engraved with the name of Ju'dah; the Sapphire, sky-blue, on which was placed the name of Sim'e-on; the Agate, of divers colors and transparent, bearing the name of Ma-nas'seh; and the Beryl, sea-green, on which the name of Naph'ta-li appeared.
   In the third row were: the Sardius, carnelian or blood-red, engraved with the name of Is'sa-char; the Carbuncle, of fine ruby color, on which the name of Reu'ben appeared; the Ligure, orange and transparent, representing E'phraim; and the Chrysolite, golden colored, on which the name of Dan was inscribed.
   This beautifully jeweled breastplate indicated the truth that the intercession of the High Priest must rest upon a foundation of purity, righteousness, and holiness; and these precious stones typified the purity and glory of Is'ra-el under the saving grace of God.
  

Story 47: Aa'ron Appointed High Priest; His Garments Of Gold l

   After giving Mo'ses full directions for building a place of worship, the LORD gave further instructions concerning the services to be held in the Tabernacle. The first requirement for these services was that there should be a High Priest, who would represent both the LORD and the people as a mediator, and who would have charge of all the ministrations within the House of God and its court. The High Priest was to have the assistance of other priests in carrying on the Tabernacle services.
   The LORD Himself chose Aa'ron as High Priest, and directed that his sons be appointed to assist him. It was His order that the office of High Priest should be continued in Aa'ron's family, and that the eldest son of each successive generation should be appointed to this office. The LORD also directed that all the male descendants, from one generation to another, were to be priests. Thus the priesthood of Is'ra-el was to remain in Aa'ron's family, and was to be limited strictly to his descendants. The appointment of any man outside the Aa'ron-ic family to the priesthood was to be unlawful, and death was the penalty for any person who attempted to fill this office without being properly anointed.
   Divine directions were given for an elaborate and impressive ceremony by which Aa'ron should be inducted into his office as High Priest, and for the dedication of his sons to the work of the priesthood. Aa'ron was to be gorgeously arrayed in specially prepared garments and bedecked with certain jewels as a sign of his office. Divine instructions were given in regard to all these details. His sons were also to have specially prepared garments and distinctive marks of office, and these were all prescribed by the LORD.
   The distinguishing garments and jewels which were to be prepared for Aa'ron were: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a girdle, a turban, two onyx stones, and twelve precious stones embedded in the breastplate. Underneath these garments he wore a close fitting coat of white linen.
   For the sons of Aa'ron, the priestly garments consisted of coats of white linen, bonnets of similar material, a turban, a girdle, and fine linen breeches. These were all prepared, as the LORD directed, from the finest materials and by the most skilled workmen of Is'ra-el.
   Aa'ron's robe was an upper garment made of one piece entirely woven without the use of a needle, with an opening at the top well hemmed to prevent rending; with arm-holes, but without sleeves, and blue in color. The fringe at the bottom was richly decorated with artificial pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet, and little golden bells placed between each pair of pomegranates.
   This robe distinguished the wearer as one whose duty was to preserve and declare God's truth. Made of one piece, it symbolized the unity of God's revelations, one in spirit and beauty and authority; God's word is all Truth, not partly true and partly false, not partly human and partly Divine, and not partly beautiful and partly unseemly. The color, which was the same as the lofty firmament of the Heavens, indicated that the Truth of God is the highest, purest, and only eternal revelation given to man.
   The ornaments on the fringe of Aa'ron's robe also had an important meaning. Pomegranates, with their pleasant odor, their sweet, refreshing juice, and the richness of their delicate meat, symbolized the refreshing, strengthening power of the Word of God as the spiritual food for His children.

Story 46: The Building Of The First House Of Worship lll

   The total cost of the Tabernacle would be about two million dollars. The value of the gold and silver and brass, or copper, exceeded one million dollars. The finest, most expensive workmanship was used in making boards for the walls, and in preparation of the fine linens and curtains. The altar and the interior furnishings were made from the very best materials by workmen of the greatest skill.
   One might ask how the He'brews could afford such enormous expenditures for the House of God, and from what source did they secure such quantities of precious metals? The answer lies in the fact that when these three million people left E'gypt they took with them great quantities of gold, silver, and other valuables in the form of ornaments and jewelry. They also brought quantities of flax for spinning fine linen, and the women were skilled in making the finest quality of linens and curtains. The fine woods which they used could be obtained from various parts of the A-ra'bi-an Peninsula, and skins could easily be had from their own flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. The fact remains, however, that the giving of all these valuable articles and services speaks well for the liberality and willingness to serve of the ancient Is'ra-el-ites.
   One might also ask why so much gold and other precious metals was used? First, to impress upon Is'ra-el the majesty and glory of the True God, whose presence among them was represented by the Tabernacle. They needed to learn at the very beginning of their national life that the BEST must be given to God, that the place built for His worship must be superior in every respect to their own homes, and that true love to the LORD is best shown by unselfishness and generosity. The LORD also wished to prevent them from having any occasion for pride, envy, or jealousy over their treasures. By giving the BEST that they had to the LORD'S service, the people had no reason to be jealous of one another's possessions.
  

Story 46: The Building Of The First House Of Worship ll

   The Tabernacle itself was a half-tent, half-wooden structure, about forty five feet long, fifteen feet wide, and fifteen feet high. It was divided into two rooms by a veil which hung down the roof. The larger room was at the east end, and was thirty feet long, while the other room was fifteen feet long.
   The walls of the Tabernacle were made of specially prepared boards which stood upright on silver bases, and were completely covered on each side with gold. The east end had no wall of boards, but could be closed by a curtain. The roof was made of four layers of curtains, the inner one forming a beautiful ceiling. The three other curtains were made of ram skins to keep out the rain and the sunshine.
   The larger room of the Tabernacle was called the Holy Place. On the right, as one came in from the opening at the east end, there was a table overlaid with gold, and upon the table were twelve loaves of bread. Each loaf of bread was placed there by one of the twelve tribes of Is'ra-el as a sign of complete consecration to the LORD. On the left stood the golden lampstand with seven branches, and on each branch there was a brilliant light. At the west end of the Holy Place, near the veil which separated this room from the smaller one, was a small golden altar of incense. Here offerings of incense were burnt as a symbol of love to the LORD.
   The smaller room on the west end of the Tabernacle was called the Holy of Holies. It was within this room that the presence of God was shown in a brilliant halo called the She-ki'nah. The room was furnished with nothing but a wooden chest overlaid with plates of gold and lined with gold, and called the Ark of the Covenant. The lid to this chest was made of solid gold, and had on it two golden ornaments called cherubim. The two stone tablets on which God had written the Ten Commandments were kept in the chest, and later there was added a pot of manna and Aa'ron's wonderful rod which budded. Only the High Priest was allowed to enter this room, and even he could come in only once a year.
   The cost of the materials used in making and furnishing the Tabernacle was met by voluntary gifts from the Is'ra-el-ites. As soon as Mo'ses called the people together and told them what a wonderful building the Tabernacle would be, there was a quick, whole-hearted response from all the people. The elders of Is'ra-el informed the people what was needed to carry out the plans which God had revealed to Mo'ses, and they gladly brought in their gifts.
   There was no need to urge the Is'ra-el-ites to do their duty in providing the materials that were to be used in making the Tabernacle. God had graciously forgiven them for their idolatry, and now wished them to build for Him a house in which there would be a constant reminder of His presence. Such a sacred cause was reason enough to the Is'ra-el-ites for making generous gifts.
   The gifts of the people differed according to their means and skill. Some gave gold and silver, some gave badger skins, while the women spun fine linens, and made beautifully decorated curtains. The rich did not try to excuse themselves by mentioning other demands upon their wealth, nor did the poor refuse to help because they had only a little to give.
   In many instances there was voluntary labor in the work of construction. Both men and women used their strength and skill in preparing the materials, or in the actual work of building the Tabernacle. Gifts of love, and services of love filled the hearts of Is'ra-el; truly could they sing:
               "But what or who are we, alas!
                  That we in giving are so free?
               Thine own before our offering was,
                  And all we have, we have from Thee."