the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat upon it, and all the other furnishings of the tent-- the Tent of MeetingThe "Tent of Meeting" refers to the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. In Hebrew, it is known as "Ohel Mo'ed," which signifies a place of divine appointment. This tent was central to the Israelites' worship and symbolized God's presence with His people. Historically, it served as a precursor to the more permanent Temple in Jerusalem. Theologically, it represents the idea that God desires to dwell among His people, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus Christ, who "tabernacled" among us ( John 1:14). the ark of the covenant
The "ark of the covenant" was a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. In Hebrew, it is "Aron HaBrit," which means "chest of the covenant." The ark symbolized God's covenant with Israel and His throne on earth. It was the most sacred object in the Tent of Meeting, housed in the Holy of Holies. The ark's presence assured the Israelites of God's guidance and protection. Spiritually, it points to Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law and the embodiment of God's covenant with humanity. with the atonement cover
The "atonement cover," also known as the "mercy seat," was the lid of the ark of the covenant. In Hebrew, it is "Kapporet," derived from the root "kaphar," meaning "to cover" or "to atone." This cover was where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, symbolizing the atonement of the people's sins. It represents God's mercy and forgiveness, foreshadowing the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ through His sacrificial death on the cross. and all its furnishings
The phrase "and all its furnishings" refers to the various items used in the service of the Tent of Meeting, including the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense. Each piece had specific instructions and symbolic meanings, pointing to different aspects of worship and the nature of God. These furnishings highlight the order and holiness required in approaching God, reminding believers of the reverence due to Him. They also prefigure the spiritual truths fulfilled in Christ, who is the bread of life, the light of the world, and our intercessor before the Father. Persons / Places / Events 1. Tent of MeetingThis was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. It was a sacred space where Moses would meet with God. 2. Ark of the TestimonyAlso known as the Ark of the Covenant, this was a gold-covered wooden chest containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. It symbolized God's covenant with Israel and His presence among them. 3. Mercy SeatThe cover of the Ark of the Testimony, made of pure gold, where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. It represented God's throne and His mercy towards His people. 4. Furnishings of the TentThese included the altar, the table for the bread of the Presence, the lampstand, and other items used in the worship and rituals of the Israelites. 5. Bezalel and OholiabThough not mentioned in this specific verse, these two artisans were appointed by God to construct the Tent of Meeting and its furnishings, as described in the surrounding context. Teaching Points God's Presence Among His PeopleThe Tent of Meeting symbolizes God's desire to dwell among His people. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God dwells within us. The Importance of ObedienceThe detailed instructions for the construction of the Tent and its furnishings highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands. We are called to live according to His Word. The Role of AtonementThe Mercy Seat signifies God's provision for atonement. Jesus Christ is our ultimate atonement, and through Him, we receive mercy and forgiveness. The Call to HolinessThe sacredness of the Tent and its furnishings reminds us of the call to holiness in our lives. We are to be set apart for God's purposes. The Value of Skilled WorkmanshipThe appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab shows that God values skilled craftsmanship and the use of our talents for His glory. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of the Tent of Meeting as a dwelling place for God among His people relate to the New Testament teaching of believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit? 2. In what ways does the Ark of the Testimony serve as a reminder of God's covenant with His people, and how can we apply this understanding to our relationship with God today? 3. How does the Mercy Seat foreshadow the work of Christ, and what does this teach us about the nature of God's mercy and forgiveness? 4. What lessons can we learn from the detailed instructions given for the construction of the Tent and its furnishings about the importance of obedience in our own lives? 5. How can we use our skills and talents, like Bezalel and Oholiab, to serve God and contribute to His kingdom work today? Connections to Other Scriptures Hebrews 9This chapter in the New Testament discusses the significance of the earthly sanctuary and the greater heavenly reality it points to, drawing a parallel between the Tent of Meeting and Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Exodus 25Provides detailed instructions for the construction of the Ark of the Testimony and the Mercy Seat, emphasizing the importance of following God's precise directions. Leviticus 16Describes the Day of Atonement, where the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat, foreshadowing Christ's atoning work. People Aaron, Ahisamach, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Dan, Hur, Israelites, Moses, UriPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Ark, Ark-cover, Atonement, Congregation, Cover, Furnishings, Furniture, Law, Meeting, Mercy, Mercy-seat, Seat, Tabernacle, Tent, Testimony, Thereon, Thereupon, Utensils, VesselsDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 31:1-7 7306 ark of the covenant Exodus 31:1-11 5272 craftsmen Exodus 31:2-11 6641 election, responsibilities Library The Flood-Tide of Power.
God's Highest Ideal. A flood-tide is a rising tide. It flows in and fills up and spreads out. Wherever it goes it cleanses and fertilizes and beautifies. For untold centuries Egypt has depended for its very life upon the yearly flood-tide of the Nile. The rich bottom lands of the Connecticut Valley are refertilized every spring by that river's flood-tide. The green beauty and rich fruitage of some parts of the Sacramento Valley, whose soil is flooded by the artificial irrigation-rivers, are in sharp …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on PowerThe True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Gifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Thy Name: My Name
'I have called thee by thy name.'--ISAIAH xliii. 1. 'Every one that is called by My name.'--ISAIAH xliii. 7. Great stress is laid on names in Scripture. These two parallel and antithetic clauses bring out striking complementary relations between God and the collective Israel. But they are as applicable to each individual member of the true Israel of God. I. What does God's calling a man by his name imply? 1. Intimate knowledge. Adam naming the creatures. Christ naming His disciples. 2. Loving friendship. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
The work of the Holy Spirit in apostles and prophets is an entirely distinctive work. He imparts to apostles and prophets an especial gift for an especial purpose. We read in 1 Cor. xii. 4, 8-11, 28, 29, R. V., "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to one is given through the Spirit wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God. David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out. He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Exposition of the Moral Law.
1. The Law was committed to writing, in order that it might teach more fully and perfectly that knowledge, both of God and of ourselves, which the law of nature teaches meagrely and obscurely. Proof of this, from an enumeration of the principal parts of the Moral Law; and also from the dictate of natural law, written on the hearts of all, and, in a manner, effaced by sin. 2. Certain general maxims. 1. From the knowledge of God, furnished by the Law, we learn that God is our Father and Ruler. Righteousness …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. These two short treatises were found among Mr. Bunyan's papers after his decease. They probably were intended for publication, like his 'Prison Meditations' and his 'Map of Salvation,' on a single page each, in the form of a broadside, or handbill. This was the popular mode in which tracts were distributed; and when posted against a wall, or framed and hung up in a room, they excited notice, and were extensively read. They might also have afforded some trifling profit to aid …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 31:7 NIVExodus 31:7 NLTExodus 31:7 ESVExodus 31:7 NASBExodus 31:7 KJV
Exodus 31:7 Commentaries
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