Daily Lesson for Tuesday 23rd of September 2025
Skim through Exodus 36:8-38; Exodus 37:1-29; Exodus 38:1-31; Exodus 39:1-31. Why do you think such explicit instructions were given? What does this teach us about how God cares about every detail?
Moses carefully constructed the tabernacle, and the instructions he had received on Mount Sinai were diligently implemented. The biblical text enumerates the following: (1) the tabernacle with its different fabrics, curtains, and parts (Exodus 36:8-38); (2) the ark (Exodus 37:1-9); (3) the table for the showbread (Exodus 37:10-16); (4) the lampstand (Exodus 37:17-24); (5) the altar of incense (Exodus 37:25-29); (6) the altar of burnt offering (Exodus 38:1-7); (7) the basin for washing (Exodus 38:8); (8) the courtyard (Exodus 38:9-20); and (9) the material used for the tabernacle (Exodus 38:21-31). Exodus 39:1-43 continues with the descriptions of the ephod, breastplate, and other priestly garment pieces.
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The tabernacle’s services were visual object lessons of the gospel, demonstrating God’s entire plan of redemption. The various ceremonies depicted (1) how God abhors and deals with sin, (2) how He saves repentant people, (3) what is the fate of the wicked, and (4) how He will secure a glorious future that will be without evil.
Two different but closely related services were performed in the sanctuary during the year: the daily and the yearly. This two-phase ministry illustrated how God treats sin and saves sinners. Through the daily sanctuary services, God assured those who repented that He forgave their sins and graciously offered them salvation. To receive this gift of salvation, a sacrifice had to be made, and these sacrifices pointed to the death of the Messiah, whose blood “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, NKJV). Confession of sin and accepting the robe of Christ’s righteousness was at the center of this gift (Psalms 32:1-2). In this way, the repentant sinner was assured forgiveness and could rejoice in salvation.
The yearly service, performed on the Day of the Atonement, demonstrated how God eradicates sin, solves the sin problem, and secures the sinless future (Leviticus 16:1-34, John 1:29). Presently, Christ’s twofold ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is another expression of God’s work for us (Hebrews 7:25) and will bring the final solution to the problem of evil (Daniel 7:13-14,22,27; Daniel 8:14; Revelation 21:4).
The sanctuary was a place for worshiping God, praising Him, and giving thanks. Worship is about maintaining one’s relationship with God, who invites believers into that fellowship.
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