Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc09/v10350

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 116 lines

10351
 #11-16 The tribute was half a shekel, about fifteen pence of our
 money. The rich were not to give more, nor the poor less; the
 souls of the rich and poor are alike precious, and God is no
 respecter of persons, #Ac 10:34; Job 34:19|. In other offerings
 men were to give according to their worldly ability; but this,
 which was the ransom of the soul, must be alike for all. The
 souls of all are of equal value, equally in danger, and all
 equally need a ransom. The money raised was to be used in the
 service of the tabernacle. Those who have the benefit, must not
 grudge the necessary charges of God's public worship. Money
 cannot make atonement for the soul, but it may be used for the
 honour of Him who has made the atonement, and for the
 maintenance of the gospel by which the atonement is applied.

10357
 #17-21 A large vessel of brass, holding water, was to be set
 near the door of the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons must wash
 their hands and feet at this laver, every time they went in to
 minister. This was to teach them purity in all their services,
 and to dread the pollution of sin. They must not only wash and
 be made clean, when first made priests, but must wash and be
 kept clean, whenever they went to minister. It teaches us daily
 to attend upon God, daily to renew our repentance for sin, and
 our looking to the blood of Christ for remission; for in many
 things we daily offend.

10362
 #22-38 Directions are here given for making the holy anointing
 oil, and the incense to be used in the service of the
 tabernacle. To show the excellency of holiness, there was this
 spiced oil in the tabernacle, which was grateful to the sight
 and to the smell. Christ's name is as ointment poured forth, #So
 1:3|, and the good name of Christians is like precious ointment,
 #Ec 7:1|. The incense burned upon the golden altar was prepared
 of sweet spices. When it was used, it was to be beaten very
 small; thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer, when he
 offered himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. The
 like should not be made for any common use. Thus God would keep
 in the people's minds reverence for his own services, and teach
 us not to profane or abuse any thing whereby God makes himself
 known. It is a great affront to God to jest with sacred things,
 and to make sport with his word and ordinances. It is most
 dangerous and fatal to use professions of the gospel of Christ
 to forward worldly interests.
10379
 * Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work
 of the tabernacle. (1-11) The observance of the sabbath. (12-17)
 Moses receives the tables of the law. (18)

 #1-11 The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in
 Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the
 Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues,
 miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skill that was
 wanting. The honour which comes from God, is always attended
 with a work to be done; to be employed for God is high honour.
 Those whom God calls to any service, he will find or make fit
 for it. The Lord gives different gifts to different persons; let
 each mind his proper work, diligently remembering that whatever
 wisdom any one possesses, the Lord put it in the heart, to do
 his commandments.

10390
 #12-17 Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up
 for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature
 of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them
 in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/
 signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by
 the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people
 of God; therefore the moral obligation of the sabbath must
 continue, till time is swallowed up in eternity.

10396
 #18 The law was written in tables of stone, to show how lasting
 it is: to denote likewise the hardness of our hearts; one might
 more easily write on stone, than write any thing good on our
 corrupt natural hearts. It was written with the finger of God;
 by his will and power. God only can write his law in the heart:
 he gives a heart of flesh; then, by his Spirit, which is the
 finger of God, writes his will in the heart, #2Co 3:3|.
10397
 * The people cause Aaron to make a golden calf. (1-6) God's
 displeasure, The intercession of Moses. (7-14) Moses breaks the
 tables of the law, He destroys the golden calf. (15-20) Aaron's
 excuse, The idolaters slain. (21-29) Moses prays for the people.
 (30-35)

 #1-6 While Moses was in the mount, receiving the law from God,
 the people made a tumultuous address to Aaron. This giddy
 multitude were weary of waiting for the return of Moses.
 Weariness in waiting betrays to many temptations. The Lord must
 be waited for till he comes, and waited for though he tarry. Let
 their readiness to part with their ear-rings to make an idol,
 shame our niggardliness in the service of the true God. They did
 not draw back on account of the cost of their idolatry; and
 shall we grudge the expenses of religion? Aaron produced the
 shape of an ox or calf, giving it some finish with a graving
 tool. They offered sacrifice to this idol. Having set up an
 image before them, and so changed the truth of God into a lie,
 their sacrifices were abomination. Had they not, only a few days
 before, in this very place, heard the voice of the Lord God
 speaking to them out of the midst of the fire, Thou shalt not
 make to thyself any graven image? Had they not themselves
 solemnly entered into covenant with God, that they would do all
 he had said to them, and would be obedient? ch. #24:7|. Yet
 before they stirred from the place where this covenant had been
 solemnly made, they brake an express command, in defiance of an
 express threatening. It plainly shows, that the law was no more
 able to make holy, than it was to justify; by it is the
 knowledge of sin, but not the cure of sin. Aaron was set apart
 by the Divine appointment to the office of the priesthood; but
 he, who had once shamed himself so far as to build an altar to a
 golden calf, must own himself unworthy of the honour of
 attending at the altar of God, and indebted to free grace alone
 for it. Thus pride and boasting were silenced.