Wed.’s Devo - The Furniture of the Tabernacle

Read: Exodus 37:1-38:31; Matthew 28:1-20; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 9:9-10
Bezalel was to construct the two angels on top of the ark of the covenant out of one solid block of gold. It would have been much easier to cast this, but God wanted it hammered. It was to have two rings on either side to slip the poles into for carrying. No one was to touch the ark. Inside was some manna, the two tablets of the law and Aaron’s rod that budded. The two angels represented the presence of God over our lives. The box represented the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in us. The manna represents God’s provision; the tablets represent the Word of God that we hide in our hearts and the rod represents God’s stamp of identity and authority that he has placed on us as his children.
The table of shewbread was overlaid with gold and held the plates and dishes and poles and pitcher for the pouring out of the drink offerings. This was where the priests would eat the bread of God’s presence. This table stands for the place where we eat the Word of God and receive our daily spiritual bread.
The lamp stand was also hammered out of gold. It had six branches extending from the sides of the lamp stand. The lamp stand represents God and the six branches are the six spirits of God mentioned in Isaiah 11:2. They are the spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, and the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. They are coupled together for a reason. The lamp stand was to shed light on the Word. It represents revelation.
The altar of incense was overlaid with gold and had a horn at each of the four courses. The horns stand for mercy. The altar of incense was the place where the priest would light incense as a symbol of their prayers for the people.
The altar of burnt offering was made of wood. It measured 5 cubits by 5 cubits. Five is the number for grace. It also had four horns for mercy. The bronze altar was for sacrificing. It was made of wood because it represented the cross.
The basin was made of mirrors so that the priests could see themselves as they washed their hands. We are to face our sins and faults and allow the water of the Word to purify our hearts.
In Matthew, we have the resurrection. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had gone to the tomb to look. They witnessed the earthquake, the angel of the Lord and the rolling away of the stone. They saw the angle of the Lord in all his glory. He told them to go to Galilee. They were not the only ones to witness this - the soldiers saw it all too. They were bribed not to tell what they saw but Mary and Mary couldn’t keep the good news to their selves.
Jesus met them in Galilee and gave them the great commission.
Lord, help us to be like the two Mary’s who believe what you say even if it seems impossible.