Matt's Messages - Serving the Great King

"Serving the Great King"
July 31, 2005
Exodus 30:1-31:18

Let me ask you one more time: where is Israel at this point in the story of Exodus? At Mount Sinai.

YHWH has rescued Israel from Egypt and brought Israel to Himself at the foot of Mount Sinai. And YHWH has come Himself in His holiness, given them the Law, and made a covenant with Israel.

Now, one more time. Where is Moses in Exodus chapter 30? Moses is on top of Mount Sinai. God invited him up. Moses entered the cloud of God’s presence at the top of the mountain of God. And God is talking to Moses. Forty days and forty nights.

And for those forty days and forty nights, God is giving Moses two things. What are they? We’ve studied them the last two weeks.

Tabernacle Blueprints and Priesthood Instructions.

God is giving Moses the blueprints for His tent, His dwelling place among His people, the Tabernacle.

And He is explaining to Moses how to establish the Aaronic Priesthood to serve before Him in His tabernacle.

These last two chapters of this section (chapters 30 and 31) complete the instructions that God has been giving to Moses. They complete the picture of the blueprints of the tabernacle by telling us about a few other items that go inside of it. And they give us a few more details about what is supposed to go on there. What Aaron and his sons are supposed to do in the service of the tabernacle.

Like the last five chapters, these two chapters are also about the LORD’s holiness and LORD’s presence.

The Holy God of Israel is moving into the neighborhood.

The Great King is setting up His throne room in the midst of His people. A Most Holy Place with the Ark of the Covenant. A Holy Place with the Table of the Presence and the Golden Lampstand. In a tent. Surrounded by a courtyard set off by curtains. With a big bronze altar inside of the gate.

The Great King is setting up His throne room in the midst of His people. And His people are being called upon to serve Him.

Serving the Great King.

They are to build a tent for Him to inhabit. And they are to establish a priesthood to minister as servants in His tabernacle.

Serving the Great King.

What I want to do this morning is read chapters 30 and 31 and pause to look at some of the details and then at the end, draw three observations about the whole thing that we can apply to our lives today.

Let’s pray together and then dive into Exodus chapter 30.

[prayer]

The first item in chapter 30 is an Altar for Incense. Verse 1.

"Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. [This is not for burning sacrifices. It’s for burning incense.] It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high–its horns of one piece with it. Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it. Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding–two on opposite sides–to hold the poles used to carry it. [Like everything else, it’s portable.] Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony–before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony–where I will meet with you. [The Throne of the Great King!] Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come. Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. [This kind of incense only.] Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns [on the Day of Atonement]. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the LORD.’" Pause there.

Let’s see if you got it. What is the incense altar made of? [Acacia wood covered with gold.]

What shape is it? [Square like the Holy of Holies. It is called (in v.10), most holy to the LORD.]

Where is it located in the tabernacle complex? [Inside the Holy Place outside of the Most Holy Place.]

What is burned on it? [Incense only.]

Good. I think there is a least two kind of symbolism operating here. Does anyone know what incense often symbolizes in the Bible? [Prayers.]

Continual prayers. Elsewhere, the Bible says, "Pray continually." And the prayers of God’s people are pictured as incense continually lifting up to the LORD.

But I think the more basic symbolism here is the same symbolism we saw with the Table of Presence and the Lampstand. God is here. God is home. God is a good host.

Back in ancient times, a good host would burn incense to hide the odors of desert life. Living with camels and donkeys and sheep and goats [and here, burnt ones!] was a stinky business. Incense was the equivalent of air freshener [and also deodorant!] in the ancient world. A good host would burn incense to make the stay of his guests pleasant.

The Great King is a great host. And I think that’s at least one of the things that is being pictured here in God’s tent. Continual prayers (going up regularly before YHWH). And the Great King serving as a great host at home among His people.

God mentioned atonement. Now He turns to atonement money. Verse 11.

"Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them. [Notice, at this point, how many times plagues and death and being cut off from God’s people show up in these two chapters. This is serious business. There will be dangerous consequences if these instructions are not carried out to the letter. V.13] Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. All who cross over [all those who are counted], those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the LORD. The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the LORD to atone for your lives. [It’s fair and equal and must not be very much money if the poor can afford it.] Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the Tent of Meeting. [That’s why it’s here. Because it is for the tabernacle.] It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD, making atonement for your lives.’" Pause there.

This in years to come became what is known as the Temple-Tax. And Jesus pays His in Matthew chapter 17 (out of the mouth of a fish!).

Now, maybe this is here to remind them of Who ransomed them in the first place. God owns them. They are remembering that by paying for their lives. Perhaps. The principle is probably lying in there somewhere.

What I think is interesting to notice is that they are to give this atonement money when they take a census. When would they take a census?

Well, they do in the book of Numbers. It’s where that book gets it’s name. They actually do it twice in the book of Numbers.

A king would do a census to find out how strong he is. Wouldn’t he? How many men he has 20 years old and over. Fighting men. This could be a stumbling block couldn’t it? Taking their eyes off of God fighting for them and wanting to know by surveying their strength how powerful they are (in themselves).

I think that’s a lot of why David got in trouble (and got his people deep trouble) by taking a census in 2 Samuel 24. [Do you remember what happened there?]

I think that’s a big part of why YHWH makes them do this tax. Whenever they get to wondering how strong they are in numbers, the LORD reminds them of whom they already belong to.
And the money goes to keeping up the "Headquarters" of the Real Great King. V.16 again.

"Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the Tent of Meeting. It will be a memorial [a reminder!] for the Israelites before the LORD, making atonement for your lives."

The next section has another item that goes in the tabernacle complex. The Bronze Basin for Washing. V.17

"Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it. Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die [!]. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made to the LORD by fire, they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.’" Pause there.

This is a washbasin. Made of bronze. Where does it sit? [Outside of the tent, in the courtyard.]

In front of or behind the altar? [Behind. First Aaron and his sons perform a sacrifice. Then, they wash.] It’s a symbol of cleansing. And it’s actual cleansing of some of that blood from their hands and feet. If they don’t do it, they die.

Cleansing is mandatory.

Now in verse 22, God gives instructions abou the Anointing Oil and Incense. V.22

"Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh [12 ½ lbs], half as much (that is, 250 shekels) [that is, 6 1/4 lobs] of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane [that’s 1 gallon], 500 shekels of cassia–all according to the sanctuary shekel–and a hin of olive oil [about 4 quarts]. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy. Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. [Pouring this costly, smelly, gooey oil over all of these things and these people as a sign of consecration and sanctification for God’s holiness.] Say to the Israelites, 'This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on men's bodies and do not make any oil with the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.'’"

That’s pretty serious, isn’t it? The picture of this kind of anointing and sanctification is very serious. The same thing with the formula for incense. V.34.

"Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Take fragrant spices–gum resin, onycha and galbanum– and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD. Whoever makes any like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from his people.’"

This is a limited edition fragrance. For YHWH and YHWH’s house only.

This what is burned on the altar of incense all day long. And it sacred.

Have you ever noticed how sensory the Tabernacle is? I don’t think I’ve ever thought about how many smells there are associated with the Tabernacle. YHWH doesn’t just speak in words. He communicates here in fragrances!

And the message is the same: The Great King is here, and He is holy, holy, holy.

In chapter 31, we find out how important it is to get these details right. So important that it takes "the best of the best," filled by the Spirit to engineer this thing. Chapter 31, verse 1.

"Then the LORD said to Moses ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God [the first time the Spirit is said to fill anyone in Scripture], with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts–to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent–the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand–and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.’" Pause there.

Not just anyone can make this Tabernacle. The Tent of the Great King must be made by "the best of the best." God has seen to it that "the best of the best" has the skills needed to make this important tent. He has actually put His spirit inside of "the best of the best" to craft this tent. And He is to make it (v.11) "just as I commanded you."

No deviations. No "change orders." No "I thought the altar would look better over here!"

"[Bezalel and Oholiab] are to make them just as I commanded you."

But in all of this activity, they are not to forget the 4th commandment. They are to keep the Sabbath as a sign. The sign of the Mosaic Covenant. V.12

"Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. [Meaning, my weekly gift to you!] This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. [That’s a big sentence! "This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy." YHWH is the one who makes Israel holy. He has given Israel a day to specifically get to know Him and become like Him by resting in Him. It’s called the Sabbath. V.14] Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.'’ [Who are you to do any less?] When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed [whatever this means!] by the finger of God."

The tablets stand for the whole of the covenant. It’s a covenant made by God with His people. They are put inside of the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place.

Now, about this Sabbath sign. Do you see why it’s so important to not work on that day?

If an Israelite desecrated the Sabbath, they would be saying (v.13) that they didn’t want to know YHWH who makes them holy!

The Tabernacle is "sacred space." The Sabbath is "sacred time." Both must be observed because YHWH makes them sacred. YHWH makes them holy. YHWH sanctifies them.

The Sabbath was the Day of the Great King just as the Tabernacle was the Home of the Great King.

And serving the Great King on that day meant resting and (this is amazing!) allowing the Great King to work for them.

Because the Great King while requiring service is the Great Servant Himself.

Even as Israel should scurry to do His will, the Great King stoops to serve Israel and gives them a day off every week to know Him better and be made holy.

Isn’t that amazing?

Now, I hope by now the picture of the Tabernacle and the Priesthood is clearer than it has ever been for you. It’s definitely been good for me to study it and get inside of it and try to feel what it was communicating. And even smell what it was communicating!

The Great Holy King of Israel is planning to come and live (somehow!) in the midst of His people. And He has commanded that they serve Him by building Him an earthly headquarters in a tabernacle-tent and establish a personnel to serve Him as His priests.

Serving the Great King.

Let me draw out three observations from these two chapters and apply them to our lives.

#1. SERVING THE GREAT KING IS IMPORTANT.

I know that’s an understatement. But I didn’t know how else to say it.

It takes "the best of the best" to build this thing. Nothing less will do.

It takes the best of the best materials.
It takes the best of the best craftsmen.
It is the most important thing happening in the last third of the book of Exodus.

How many chapters to create the world in Genesis? 2, right?

How many chapters to build the tabernacle? 25-31. That’s seven chapters just of instructions.

What do you think we’re going to find starting in chapter 35? There are 5 more chapters [!] dedicated to actually carrying out these instructions. That’s 12 chapters on the tabernacle. God thinks it’s important.

Serving the Great King is important.

Do you serve the Great King as a priority?

Lots of people give mental assent to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Supposedly Christians are still in a majority in the United State of America. But it sure doesn’t look like it!

Do we serve the Great King as a priority? As if He was important?

Or are we just "dating" the Great King?

#2. SERVING THE GREAT KING IS COSTLY.

Think about the costs associated with just the anointing oil and incense. Those were extravagantly expensive spices. That cost something.

The Great King is worth it.

The Lord Jesus had expensive fragrances poured out on Him. And instead of agreeing that the expense of it should have gone to the poor (who truly needed it), He said (basically) that He was worth all of the cost. And He was right.

The Great King is worth it.
Serving the Great King is Costly. And He is worth it.

If you served the Great King at Family Bible Week this last week, please stand. If you were a greeter, a food preparer, set-up team, clean-up crew, teacher, helper, nursery work, worship team, whatever. Please stand up.

Let’s give them a big round of applause.

That cost you something, didn’t? Five nights? That’s five nights not to do whatever else it is you do during the week. Many of you worked an eight hour day and then turned around an worked a three hour night.

Thank you for your service. The Great King is worth it.

Now, let me challenge you. It’s time to plan for the Fall. We need about 5 more Children’s Church teachers to run the program for the Fall. We need about 3 more children’s Sunday School teachers. Michele Kephart hasn’t been to Adult Sunday School in 3 years. She needs a qualified teacher to take her class. We need leaders for Kids for Christ and Uth Group on Wednesday nights. There is a planning meeting for Wednesday Night Ministry on August 11th. We need people to show up for it.

We need people to sacrifice their time and their energy for MINISTRY. Which is another word for service. And service is always costly.

But He’s worth it. He’s worth it.

John and Becky. Would you stand? These two people have given their life to missionary service. I’m sure that they would say that they haven’t sacrificed a thing. But we know better. We know that there are has been a price-tag for their service to the Great King.

And He is worth it. Every cost. Let’s applaud them. Thank you for serving the Great King. He is worth it!

#3. SERVING THE GREAT KING IS SERIOUS.

This is serious business.
Did you notice how often death was threatened?

I counted 8 times in these 2 chapters. There might be more.

No plague will come on them if they do the atonement tax.
Wash with water so that they will not die.
Don’t make a perfume like this or you will be cut off.
Anyone who desecrates the Sabbath must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day msut be cut off from his people.

"[Bezalel and Oholiab] are to make [everything] just as I commanded you."

Serving the Great King is serious business.

It requires total obedience.

No fudging.
No cutting corners.
No going our own way.

The Great King is Holy. And He requires Holy Obedience.

The trouble with American Christianity is that we don’t take the Gospel seriously enough. God is not taken seriously enough. He is assumed. He is ignored. He is treated with only passing attention and, therefore, contempt.

That’s why God is raising up authors who are writing books like, Don’t Waste Your Life and Stop Dating the Church!

This is serious stuff.

And we need to get serious about it.

Are you serving the Great King?

Or are you merely hanging around?

What step could you take this week to get serious about serving the Great King?

What step could you take today to get serious?

Take that step.

But don’t forget that this "Serving the Great King" while being so important, so costly, and so serious, is not working our way, earning our way, to heaven.

That’s impossible. The Great King is the One Who makes us holy.

And He does it not by asking us to serve Him (which does ask).

But by serving us through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ who says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

"I will be your Sabbath."

Jesus came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

So, even as you serve the Great King, [and I pray that you do], do it because of His service and in the strength supplied by the Great King Himself who stooped to serve in His marvelous, infinite, matchless grace. Grace greater than all my sin.