Exodus 25:23-40
It is a great privilege to be invited to come into G-d’s presence and to worship Him. Salvation gives us the potential to worship Him. Worship is not about us, it is ALL about G-d.
v23: The measurements for this table are similar to those of the Ark of the Covenant.
v24-25: This moulding was a decorative border. In a unique way it formed a border around the table.
v26-28: Again, this table is similar in style to the Ark of the Covenant. The rings and poles assist in transportation.
v29: The words used here are difficult to translate, as ancient Hebrew can be very different to how the words are used today. Four things were made here – something like a bowl (which the bread was placed into), a spoon (something that removed the bread from the oven), and also a kind of shelf with its walls/pillars.
v30: Bread had to always be on the table. Traditionally, on Shabbat, new bread was brought in and the old bread was eaten by the priests. According to tradition each one would get only a small piece, but it would completely satisfy them.
v31: The lampstand, like the mercy seat (the place where G-d dwelt), was not made of any wood but only of pure gold. Traditionally the light of the Menorah (lampstand) was a reminder to remember G-d’s Presence is with us (John 8:12, Matt 5:14-16).
· One piece – this lampstand, uniquely related to the revelation/illumination of G-d, was not broken up into or made from many pieces. This can teach us that the L-rd is complete – One. Nothing can be added or subtracted from Him.
v32: According to tradition the branches of the menorah were not curved like we see today. They were probably shaped like a “V”. These branches were uniquely connected to each other.
v33: These bowls (3 on each of the six branches =18 bowls in all) were made to resemble almond flowers.
v34-36: The knobs were like buttons. Everything on this lampstand was beaten/hammered from one lump of pure gold.
v37: The oil for the lamps was very likely housed in these seven lamps. A flame would go up off these in order to illuminate in front of the lampstand. This light was unique – it wasn’t a light that was just around the source of light, but traditionally, was a light that could be seen (supernaturally) beyond where it could naturally be seen.
v38: The trays would have been used to extinguish the light in the morning.
v39: A talent is an old English word for a measurement.
v40: This may all sound confusing to us, but Moses (on the mountain) received a pattern from heaven, so that he was able to faithfully explain to the people how to accurately make these things that G-d required from them. In this verse we see a very strong statement of revelation being connected to worship.