Exodus
38 describes the building of the outer court of the Tabernacle
(according to the plan given to Moses in Exodus 27). Remember, the
priests were the only ones that could enter the Tabernacle, the outer
court was for the people. The chapter begins, “They
built the altar of burnt offering out of acacia wood… overlaid with
bronze“.
The altar is the biggest thing in the outer court, it is essentially
a giant barbeque grill, complete with bronze grates and bronze
cooking utensils. Like the ark, it had rings and poles for carrying
it. This is where the animal sacrifice would have been offered as a
burnt offering to God. Bronze is always used to symbolize God’s
righteous judgment. The slaughter, the blood and the burning of the
sacrifice would have been a heavy reminder to the people of the
seriousness of their sin. The next items described is Bronze Basin,
“made
from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance of the Tent
of Meeting“.
Another reminder that God looks at the heart rather than our outer
beauty.
Finally
the outer courtyard is described, it is approximately 150 feet long
and 75 feet wide and surrounded by 8 foot high fine linen curtains
supported on pillars. “The
hooks and bands on the posts were silver; and the tops were overlaid
with silver… and bronze bases“.
Silver symbolizes the ransom price God paid for the children of
Israel. All of the courtyard was surrounded by white linen, except
the entrance, “The
curtain for the entrance… was of blue and purple and scarlet yard
and finely twisted linen- the work of an embroiderer“.
We are even given the amounts of materials used in the construction.
Over 19,000 pounds of gold, silver and bronze were used (with an
estimated value today of $13 million!). Exodus 12:36 says when the
Israelites left Egypt, “The
Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people and
they… plundered the Egyptians“.
Two million people were owed a lot of back-pay after 400 years of
servitude.
What
a fantastic picture this gives us of Jesus Christ. The white linen
speaks of His sinless life, the purple entrance, His position as King
of kings. His sacrifice, taking the judgment for our sins and even
paying the ransom price for His church. Outside the courtyard, we
are separated from God by our sin, but the entrance is wide and all
are invited in. We no longer need to bring the imperfect sacrifice
of bulls and sheep, because God provided His perfect sacrifice on the
cross. And “Whoever
will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved”
(Romans 10:13). Only then can we enter into fellowship again with
God. 1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that we are the temple of God and
His
Holy
Spirit dwells in us. Is the outer court of your life inviting to
those around you? Remember your role, “We
are ambassadors for Christ”
(2 Corinthians 5:20). Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “We
are His workmanship“.
Allow others to see His work in you, so they too can receive His
forgiveness.