Altar — Bible — Andrew Forrest

Our fourth and final part of Exodus begins today, and will run for six weeks. I’ve included here the introduction I’ve written to help you get the most out of this section. Today’s reading and commentary will be found below the introduction.

IS THIS THE HARDEST PART OF THE BIBLE?
In some ways this final section of Exodus is the most challenging part of the whole book, and among the most challenging parts of the entire Bible. This is because, for modern readers, Exodus chapters 20-40 seem overwhelmingly boring. What relevance do the meticulous instructions for the construction of the tabernacle have for my life? How can reading Old Testament law possibly help me today?

If we are willing to approach the Bible with open minds and do a little bit of work, however, I’m convinced that these seemingly boring passages are really a blessing to us. We’ve been reading through Exodus for months, let’s finish the story and see what the Lord has for us!

3 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF EXODUS 20-40

1. Pay attention to where you are in the overall story. Context matters, and when you trace the overall arc of the story, some of the passages that at first seem boring actually become really interesting. Remember, the process is the point. So, for example, we’ll see that when the tabernacle instructions are repeated almost verbatim, there is something really important going on. (Spoiler: the instructions are repeated after the incident with the golden calf; the repetition shows that the Lord is giving the people a chance to start over—the repetition is a good thing! If you’re interested, you can read ahead to the commentary for Thursday, June 13 to find out more.)
2. Think about the point behind the law. After the revelation of the Ten Commandments, the Lord gives the Israelites more detailed laws about how to live and represent Him well. The Ten Commandments are like a constitution, and the subsequent laws amplify its intent by giving greater specificity— “If this happens, then do this.” What we see when we pay attention to the point behind the laws is the heart of God. By thinking about God’s intention with the laws, we can see how seemingly obsolete Old Testament law can inform how we live today.
3. Remember that the question Exodus is trying to answer is, how can a Holy God live in the midst of a sinful people? The tabernacle is meant to provide the means by which the Lord can be close to the people and sustain them as they move into the Promised Land. The Lord wants to guide them and strengthen them, but their fear and idolatry is a constant threat to His purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE STORY SO FAR

The children of Israel were enslaved by Pharaoh;
Moses was spared by the Lord and then sent by the Lord to lead the children of Israel to freedom;
The Lord sent the plagues and brought judgment on the so-called gods of Egypt;
The Lord delivered His people through the Passover and the Red Sea;
And He brought them to Mount Sinai to commission them as His representatives to the nations.

The people have been rescued for a purpose. At Mount Sinai (chapters 20-40), they receive that purpose.

First, they receive the Ten Commandments.

Second, they receive additional laws so they can live well.

Third, they are told how to properly worship through the construction of an ornate tent in the middle of their desert camp—a tent called “the tabernacle”—and there is a priesthood ordained to lead them in proper worship.

From the time of the Passover until the end of the Book of Exodus, one-year period elapses, and so things are moving along relatively quickly.

But God’s plan is interrupted by the shocking Israelite decision to make and worship a golden calf while Moses is on the mountain hearing from the Lord. Literally right after they have been told in the Second Commandment not to worship idols, that’s exactly what they do!

IF YOU WERE GOD, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

We are confronted at Mount Sinai with the central tension of the entire biblical story—how does a good God stay committed to a rebellious and sinful humanity?

What we will see is that the Lord remains committed to Israel but that nevertheless there are consequences for their sin. In fact, the entire sacrificial system of worship the Lord institutes at the tabernacle is meant to teach Israel about the deadly consequences of sin and His desire to forgive them and reinstate them into a right relationship with Him.

How this Reading Plan Works

Remember, consistency is more important than intensity! That is, don’t try to read the whole Bible in one sitting—rather, pace yourself and make a commitment to be consistent. To that end, the readings are parceled-out on weekdays only—if you get behind, catch up each weekend. Each day I’ve written brief commentary to help you get something out of your reading. The commentary is NOT the point; the Bible is the point. If the commentary helps you, great! If it doesn’t, no worries—just skip it.

WHY EXODUS MATTERS TO YOUR LIFE TODAY

As we will see, the Ten Commandments are guidance from God about how to live well. The Ten Commandments (and the other laws that follow) are revealed from God to His people so that they can be His representatives to the nations.

The church has that same purpose today (see 1 Peter 2:9-12)—we represent the Lord to the world. It’s my prayer that these readings will show us how to live well so we can be a blessing to our neighbors and to the nations.

P.S. Want to receive these daily readings and commentary each weekday morning in your inbox? Sign up on my website: andrewforrest.org.

P.P.S. What did the tabernacle look like? What’s the point of the ark of the covenant and the lampstand and the high priest’s clothing, etc.? What are we supposed to do with all the Old Testament laws? I’ll be teaching my final All-Church Bible Study on Exodus on Wednesday, May 29, 6:30-8:00pm in the Asbury Sanctuary.

Monday, May 13

Exodus 20:22-26

22 And the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. 24 An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. 26 And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’

After the Ten Commandments, the Lord gives more specific instructions to Moses. Here, the Lord repeats the injunction against making idols and then explains how the Israelites are to make altars.

Altars, Not Idols
Israelite worship should not consist of little statues but rather simple altars. (This simplicity is why they are not meant to use hewn stone, but rather just use field stone as they find it.) And, because these altars are for ordinary people who won’t be clothed in priestly robes, they need to be careful that they remain appropriately clothed and dignified when they worship.

Why Should We Care?
The Israelites are not to worship idols, but they are to construct altars. I think the lesson here for us is that it is good for us to have particular places in which to pray and worship. Obviously, our churches play this function, but we live most of our lives outside the church building so I think it’s also good to have a particular spot at home to pray. Your closet? Upstairs? Downstairs? Back patio? Front stoop? Breakfast table? The garden? At the foot of your bed? Pick a spot and make a practice of just sitting there and praying. It will change your life.