This passage includes the journey to Mount Sinai after the Egyptian army was defeated by God, and outlines first the laws of God which the people of God are to obey, and the tent which they are to make as a place of worship.
Given that we are dealing with the law, justice and righteousness come through strongly in this passage. In the instructions for the Tabernacle, worship, purity, and praise are the focus. Amongst this direction from God, we have the reactions of the people, and the response of Moses as leader.
Backtracking a little into Chapter 15, the first response of the Israelites we see after the songs of praise over the destruction of the Egyptian army was to complain about a lack of water, and then a lack of food, and then a lack of water again. Again and again, they see God's provision, but again and again they grumble rather than trusting God to provide. We see God's provision in battle also in defeating the Amalekites. it is a good reminder that our God is not simply a spiritual help, but a great physical Provider also - He delights to give us what we need. We also see that when He provides, we should not grumble at the means of His provision, nor disobey His instructions in gathering in His provision. I know that too often I forget or take for granted all the many blessings He has provided.
In the battle with Amalek the importance of support and teamwork is illustrated for us, with Aaron and Hur holds up Moses' hands when he is tired. It also illustrates the importance of intercessory prayer - God could easily have saved the Israelites without Moses' arms raised had He wanted - but God delights to act through the requests of His people (requests made in accordance with His Will). Teamwork and sharing the burden of leadership is also illustrated clearly in the next chapter, where we see Jethro providing sound advice regarding delegation of responsibility. We should never think we are alone in shouldering burdens for the Lord. There are often others that are able and willing to help - we see a similar situation with Elijah and Elisha in I Kings.
Arriving then at the Mount Sinai, we are impressed with the magnitude of the events about to unfold. This is Holy God writing down the laws of righteousness - all the people must be cleansed, and only the representative of the people is allowed upon the mountain.
The laws themselves are a beautiful expression of Who God is, and indeed what righteousness looks like. Looking at them in the light of the New Testament, it has been said that under the old covenant they were commands - under the new covenant they are promises. Each of them is to be read in spirit, and not in letter - understanding and obeying the spirit will fulfill the letter, but reducing the law of God to 'manageable rules' as the Pharisees did is no different, and in some ways worse, than flouting the law. None of the law can be keep fully in our own strength - only by the power of God are we able to obey. Praise God that He has now redeemed us and destroyed the power of sin - and will one day remove also the presence of sin, when we will all serve Him in full obedience!
Moving through the laws about specific cases, we see a protection of both the victim and the perpetrator - the victim is to be reimbursed by the perpetrator, if recompense can be made, and the wrongdoing punished. Yet escalation of revenge is not allowed. All of society is included - justice is to be done for the women and slaves as well as men and landowners, the stranger as well as the Israelite. The poor are to be protected, and not exploited - but neither are they to get a 'free pass' in the courts.
The Mosaic covenant is then confirmed (which includes the above law, and a promise of conquest) - read to the people, the people commit to it, and it is sealed by the sacrifice of peace offerings.
Now the covenant has been confirmed, the description for the place of worship is made. Of important note, the people are asked to contribute towards it - the supplies are provided by the people, but made according to God's design. I am going to make little comment about the design, but the wood reminds us of humanity, and the gold reminds us of deity, two important materials that keep coming up in the design. For a great description of the symbolic nature of the materials, see this link: The holy materials used in the Tabernacle
Not only the building is carefully described - the priests, as the representatives of God to the people and the people to God also have careful descriptions of their garments and rituals. Skilled craftsmen are specifically called by God to lead the build, with many others working under them.
While receiving these instructions for the Tabernacle about the worship of the True God, and the service of Aaron and his sons as priests, we see a dreadful rejection of God in the camp of Israel. Not long after having confirmed the covenant, having received the laws of God and His promises, they act in direct disobedience and make a calf out of gold and pretend that this is their god. Aaron is also carried away in this. Though admittedly pressured, he held responsibility for not only allowing them to pursue their sin, but enabled them - as a leader he should have reminded them of God and His continual provision for them thus far - he was afterall the spokesperson for Moses!
When Moses comes, he smashes the tablets of stone with the law on - some think that this is to prevent God immediately consuming the Israelites as the Holy law (which they have confirmed their obedience to) is brought into the presence of such blatant sin. It is certainly possible. There are still consequences though - many Israelites are slain by the sword and many by plague. The intercession of Moses for the people after this is a beautiful insight into servant leadership, Godly prayer, and reliance only upon the Lord. He finds favour in God's sight, and is granted the awesome privilege of seeing God's glory (at least in part).
Two interesting notes we find in this section - Joshua does not participate in the rebellion, as he was waiting for Moses near the base of the mountain, and it is the Levites who come to Moses when he asks 'who is on the Lord's side?' - their father wrongly bore the sword (along with Simeon) against a city in revenge over his sister, and the tribe now uses the sword rightly as instruments of the Lord.
After this rebellion, the law is written again by God Himself on the stone tablets, the covenant is re-confirmed, and the Tabernacle is constructed. The people not only contribute the materials, but are so eager to do so that they quickly have too much and must be prevented - a great display of generosity and willingness to give God their best. The repetition of the dimensions and instructions emphasises the fact that everything was done by God's instruction, and not by man's design. Finally, it is finished, and God confirms the work by His Glory resting upon and filling the Tabernacle.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age to same;
his holy Name--the Lord, the Mighty One.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore!
Tell my soul - St Edmond's School
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