Exodus 27:1–8 “The Furnishings Placed Outside the Tabernacle”

Exodus 27:1-8 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Broken Vessels(Amazing Grace) – Hillsong
• Phil Wickham – Living Hope
• Matt Redman – Once Again

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• The Tabernacle in the Wilderness – Walk Through – Video for Kids
• The B-I-B-L-E, Thats The Book For Me! (Kids Praise and Worship) – Song for Kids
• Never Let Go Of Me | Shipwrecked VBS | Outback Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Leaning on the Everlasting Arms | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The Lord also gave detailed instructions regarding the furnishings to be placed outside the Tabernacle. First, the altar for offering sacrifices was to be made of acacia wood, shaped as a rectangular box five cubits wide and long (about 2.25 meters) and three cubits high (about 1.35 meters) (v. 1). Horns, also made of wood and overlaid with bronze, were to be fashioned on the four corners of the altar (v. 2).

The tools used to kindle the fire, the hooks for handling the sacrificial meat, and the utensils for removing the ashes were all to be made of bronze (v. 3). A grating made of bronze mesh was to be placed on the altar, with bronze rings attached to its four corners (v. 4). This grating was to be installed below the altar’s rim, halfway up the altar’s height (v. 5).

Poles were required to carry the altar. These were also to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze (v. 6). When transporting the altar, the poles were to be inserted into rings on either side of the altar (v. 7). The inside of the altar was to be hollow, making it easier to carry during travel (v. 8).

Meditation:

The altar was the place where worshipers brought their sin offerings or fellowship offerings to be burned (as burnt offerings). Before the sacrifice, the worshiper would place their hand on the head of the animal in a symbolic act of transferring their sins. The penalty of death that the sinner deserved was passed on to the animal. Then, in the presence of the one offering the sacrifice, the priest would slaughter the animal, sprinkle its blood, and place the cut portions on the altar’s grating. The worshiper had to witness this entire bloody process. They also had to watch as the body of the offering burned until it became ashes. This process was commanded so that the person offering the sacrifice would realize the gravity of their sin and be deterred from sinning again.

But human sinfulness is highly skilled at misusing even good systems for selfish ends. The Israelites eventually distorted the burnt offering system into a tool to relieve guilt rather than a means of true repentance. They turned the altar into a “bathtub for washing away sin.” There was no transformation in their lives after offering sacrifices. The fire on the altar never ceased, and the smoke kept rising, yet the people of Israel sank deeper into sin.

With the coming of Jesus, the altar and its sacrifices lost their necessity. The cross became the perfect altar, and Jesus’ body became the eternal offering. There is no longer a need for animal sacrifices because Jesus Christ offered the perfect sacrifice once and for all. To receive Jesus Christ as Lord is to acknowledge that His sacrifice was made for us. We cannot remain the same when we understand who He is and the price He paid for that eternal sacrifice. Having been forgiven by His precious blood, our identity must be transformed.

Sadly, some still treat the blood of Christ like a “bathwater for washing sin.” They think that no matter what sin they commit, they can just be washed again in His blood and continue living in sin. But the blood of Jesus Christ is a “healing medicine for sinfulness.” If a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord but shows no change in their life, it is evidence that they have not truly received the power of His blood.

Prayer:

Lord, we believe that Your precious blood is flowing within us. Please replace our impure blood with Your pure and holy blood so we may live in holiness and righteousness. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for our sins, taking our place on the cross. His blood is not just for washing away our sins—it is meant to change our hearts and lead us into a new and holy life.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What do you think it means to give something to God?
  • How do you feel when someone says, “Jesus died for you”?
  • Why do you think Jesus wants our hearts to be clean and loving?
    
• For Youth
  • Why do you think God wanted people to watch the animal being sacrificed in the Old Testament?
  • What’s the difference between asking Jesus to forgive us and letting Him change how we live?
  • Have you ever felt like you said sorry to God but didn’t change? What do you think helps real change happen?