George Ruheni, PhD.

God’s Gifted Servants, the Sabbath, and the Tablets of Testimony Exodus 31 marks the end of the instructions from Mount Sinai on the construction of the tabernacle and the start of the tragic story of the golden calf in Exodus 32. This chapter comprises three concepts which are very much linked to one another: the appointment and enabling of the craftsmen (31:1-11), t he restating of the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant (31:12-17), and the tablets of the testimony given to Moses by God (31:18). It follows that the chapter combines three apparently diverse themes of craftsmanship, Sabbath observance, and divine communication through writing but in fact it unites all these three themes in a single theological concept: God determines how He is to be worshipped, provides the people and gifts necessary for that worship, commands them to rest in His covenant provision, and gives His authoritative word as the foundation of the covenant.   God Calls and Equips Bezalel and Oholiab...

  The Presence of God, Prayer, Redemption, Cleansing, Anointing, and Holy Worship The theme of Exodus 30 is the way in which Israel was to engage in the service of their God. Chapters 25 to 29 gave instructions about the sanctuary, its furnishings, the priesthood, and consecration; now, in Exodus 30, there are several items added that give guidelines for continuing fellowship with God, such as the altar of incense, the ransom money, the bronze laver, the holy anointing oil, and the sacred incense. Also, the connection between prayer, atonement, cleansing, redemption, and holiness.   The Golden Altar of Incense The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and covered with pure gold. The altar was quite smaller compared to the bronze altar located in the courtyard area and was situated in the Holy Place and just before the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. And you shall put it before the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy se...