patriarchs and prophets-第87章
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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。
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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
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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 door of the tabernacle was the laver； which
was also of brass； made from the mirrors that had been the freewill offering
of the women of Israel。 At the laver the priests were to wash their hands
and their feet whenever
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they went into the sacred apartments； or approached the altar to offer a
burnt offering unto the Lord。
In the first apartment； or holy place； were the table of showbread； the
candlestick； or lampstand； and the altar of incense。 The table of showbread
stood on the north。 With its ornamental crown； it was overlaid with pure
gold。 On this table the priests were each Sabbath to place twelve cakes；
arranged in two piles； and sprinkled with frankincense。 The loaves that were
removed； being accounted holy； were to be eaten by the priests。 On the south
was the seven…branched candlestick； with its seven lamps。 Its branches were
ornamented with exquisitely wrought flowers； resembling lilies； and the
whole was made from one solid piece of gold。 There being no windows in the
tabernacle； the lamps were never all extinguished at one time； but shed
their light by day and by night。 Just before the veil separating the holy
place from the most holy and the immediate presence of God； stood the golden
altar of incense。 Upon this altar the priest was to burn incense every
morning and evening； its horns were touched with the blood of the sin
offering； and it was sprinkled with blood upon the great Day of Atonement。
The fire upon this altar was kindled by God Himself and was sacredly
cherished。 Day and night the holy incense diffused its fragrance throughout
the sacred apartments； and without； far around the tabernacle。
Beyond the inner veil was the holy of holies； where centered the symbolic
service of atonement and intercession； and which formed the connecting link
between heaven and earth。 In this apartment was the ark； a chest of acacia
wood； overlaid within and without with gold； and having a crown of gold
about the top。 It was made as a depository for the tables of stone； upon
which God Himself had inscribed the Ten Commandments。 Hence it was called
the ark of God's testament； or the ark of the covenant； since the Ten
Commandments were the basis of the covenant made between God and Israel。
The cover of the sacred chest was called the mercy seat。 This was wrought of
one solid piece of gold； and was surmounted by golden cherubim； one standing
on each end。 One wing of each angel was stretched forth on high； while the
other was folded over the body （see Ezekiel 1：11） in token of reverence and
humility。 The position of the cherubim； with their faces turned
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toward each other； and looking reverently downward toward the ark；
represented the reverence with which the heavenly host regard the law of God
and their interest in the plan of redemption。
Above the mercy seat was the Shekinah； the manifestation of the divine
Presence； and from between the cherubim； God made known His will。 Divine
