Exodus
The Tabernacle instructions are admittedly not the most exciting pieces of Scripture especially assuming lack of familiarity with the wedding/marriage motif. The intense detail and repetition should remind us of a newlywed couple talking about all the fine details of the first home together - They'd want everything perfect and would be excited about each detail of the house. That is the Tabernacle, and so this is somewhat like a loving conversation between a bride and groom.
Creation
- We are called back to creation in the Tabernacle instructions in Exodus 25-31
- 7 times we have "The LORD said"
- The 7th occurrence of "The LORD said" in Exodus 31:12-18 is all about Sabbath
- Exodus 40:33 has Moses finishing the work and resting
- Israelites finished the work in Exodus 39 and are blessed by Moses afterwards
- In the middle of the Tabernacle is the ark of the Covenant with the law in it, and in the garden of Eden was 2 Trees - one is the Tree of Life
- The Holy of Holies is separated with a curtain with Cherubim woven in it, and Cherubim guards the garden.
Tent of Meeting Tent of מוֹעֵד [mo-ed], same word for "seasons" in Genesis 1, which was the center of a chiasm
Tabernacle is a big mobile Genesis 1 reminder that Israel takes with them
Chiasms
- Glory of the LORD (24:15–18)
- Tabernacle and priestly garments (25–30)
- Bezalel and Oholiab (31:1–11)
- Sabbath (31:12–18)
- Sabbath (35:1–3)
- Bezalel and Oholiab (35:30–35)
- Bezalel and Oholiab (31:1–11)
- Tabernacle and priestly garments (36–39)
- Tabernacle and priestly garments (25–30)
- Glory of the LORD (40:34–38)
The Golden Calf story is right in between the two Sabbath points, and the center of the story, the center of the chiasm is:
“The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go
with you and I will give you rest.’ ”
Exodus 33:14
Opening of the temples
Opening of the tabernacle
Leviticus 9:23–24 (LEB): 23 Then Moses and Aaron entered the tent of assembly. When they came out, they blessed the people, and Yahweh’s glory appeared to all the people. 24 Then a fire went out from before Yahweh, and it consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And all the people saw it, so they shouted for joy, and they fell on their faces.
Opening of the Temple of Solomon
2 Chronicles 7:1–3 (LEB): 7 And when Solomon finished praying, then fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of Yahweh filled the house. 2 And the priests were not able to go into the house of Yahweh, for the glory of Yahweh had filled the house. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire come down and the glory of Yahweh upon the house, they knelt down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loyal love is everlasting.
People resopnd to the opening of God's temple by celebrating and giving thanks to God. The temple's opening is marked by fire coming out and consuming a sacrifice
In Acts, fire comes out and rests on disciples - we are the new temple.
Q: do people react like in the 2 Biblical stories when they meet us, the new temple?
As a new temple, we should be a mobile reminder of Genesis 1 - inviting others to trust the story of Yahweh