Overview:

Exodus 38 details the construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering, the Bronze Basin, and the courtyard of the Tabernacle. These elements are crucial for the sacrificial system and the approach to worship that God commanded the Israelites. The chapter also concludes with an inventory of the materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the precision and care with which every item was made and accounted for.

Key themes in this chapter include the need for sacrifice in approaching God, the importance of purity, and the meticulous obedience required in worship. These themes point forward to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice, the source of spiritual cleansing, and the fulfillment of all aspects of Old Testament worship.

Historical and Literary Context:

Exodus 38 follows the narrative of the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. After detailing the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of the Bread of the Presence, the Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense in Exodus 37, this chapter focuses on the outer furnishings, particularly those used for sacrifice and cleansing. The Altar of Burnt Offering and the Bronze Basin are vital for the priests and the people to maintain a right relationship with God through the sacrificial system.

Literarily, this chapter emphasizes the completion of the Tabernacle’s construction. The inventory at the end of the chapter reflects the careful stewardship of the resources given by the people, ensuring that everything was used for God’s purposes. This precision points to the seriousness with which worship is to be approached.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points:

The Altar of Burnt Offering: The Need for Sacrifice:

The Altar of Burnt Offering is the central piece of furniture in the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle. It is where the Israelites would bring their offerings to atone for their sins. The importance of sacrifice is emphasized, as it is the means by which the people could approach a holy God.

“They built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece. And they overlaid the altar with bronze” (Exodus 38:1-2).

The construction of the altar points to the need for sacrifice in maintaining fellowship with God. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ becomes the ultimate sacrifice for sin, fulfilling the entire sacrificial system (Hebrews 10:10). His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross replaces the need for ongoing offerings, providing full and complete atonement for all who believe in Him.

The Bronze Basin: The Need for Cleansing:

The Bronze Basin, or laver, was placed between the altar and the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. It was used by the priests for ceremonial washing before they entered the Tabernacle to minister.

“They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting” (Exodus 38:8).

The Bronze Basin symbolizes the need for purity and cleansing before approaching God in worship. In the New Testament, the theme of cleansing is fulfilled through the work of Christ, who cleanses believers from their sins through His blood (1 John 1:7). Baptism, too, serves as a symbol of this spiritual cleansing and renewal (Titus 3:5).

The Courtyard: God’s Holiness and the Approach to Worship:

The courtyard surrounded the Tabernacle, separating the holy place from the common areas. It was here that the people would gather to bring their offerings and worship.

“They made the courtyard. The south side was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely twisted linen, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts” (Exodus 38:9-10).

The courtyard serves as a reminder of God’s holiness and the careful approach required in worship. The layout of the Tabernacle and its courtyard symbolizes the distinction between the holy and the common, emphasizing that access to God’s presence must be approached with reverence and purity. In the New Testament, Christ breaks down the barriers between God and humanity, allowing believers to enter the presence of God with confidence through His sacrifice (Hebrews 10:19-22).

The Stewardship of Resources in Worship:

The final verses of the chapter provide an inventory of the materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle, reflecting the careful stewardship of the resources the Israelites had offered.

“The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel… The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel” (Exodus 38:24-25).

This inventory highlights the importance of managing resources well in the service of God. It shows that every offering was used with care and accountability, ensuring that nothing was wasted. This principle applies today in the way believers use their resources for the work of the church, ensuring that offerings are used wisely and for God’s glory.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Exodus 38:1-7:

“They built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece. And they overlaid the altar with bronze. They made all its utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans. They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar.”

The Altar of Burnt Offering is constructed as the place where sacrifices would be made to atone for sin. The horns on the altar represent the power and authority of the altar to secure atonement, and the use of bronze reflects the endurance and strength required to carry out the sacrificial system. This altar points forward to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which provides full atonement for sin.

Exodus 38:8:

“They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.”

The Bronze Basin symbolizes the need for cleansing before approaching God. The mirrors used to make the basin were given by the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, reflecting the sacrificial contributions of all the people in the service of God. This cleansing points forward to the spiritual cleansing provided by Christ through His sacrifice and the ongoing sanctification of believers by the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 38:9-20:

“They made the courtyard. The south side was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely twisted linen, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts… The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.”

The construction of the courtyard reflects the holiness of God’s dwelling place and the need for careful separation between the holy and the common. The use of fine materials and precise measurements emphasizes the sacredness of the space where God would meet with His people. The entrance curtain, made of rich colors, symbolizes the beauty and majesty of approaching God in worship. In the New Testament, Jesus becomes the “gate” or “door” through which believers enter into the presence of God (John 10:9).

Exodus 38:21-31:

“These are the amounts of the materials used for the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the covenant law, which were recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest… The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.”

The detailed inventory of materials used for the Tabernacle reflects careful stewardship and accountability in the service of God. Every offering and contribution is accounted for, showing that God values both the generosity of His people and the faithful management of the resources they give. This principle applies today in how believers manage financial and material resources for the work of the church, ensuring that everything is used for God’s glory.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ:

Exodus 38 emphasizes the themes of sacrifice, cleansing, and the holiness of God’s dwelling place. The Altar of Burnt Offering represents the need for sacrifice in approaching God, a theme that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:12). Through His death, Jesus provides full atonement for sin, rendering the Old Testament sacrificial system obsolete.

The Bronze Basin represents the need for cleansing before approaching God in worship. In the New Testament, Jesus offers spiritual cleansing through His blood, and believers are washed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11). Baptism symbolizes this cleansing and marks the believer’s entrance into a life of faith.

The construction of the courtyard and the inventory of materials reflect the holiness of God’s presence and the need for careful stewardship in the service of God. The courtyard symbolizes the separation between the holy and the common, but in Christ, the veil is torn, allowing believers direct access to God’s presence (Matthew 27:51). The inventory emphasizes the importance of managing resources well in the service of God’s work, a principle that applies to the church today.

Sermon Outline and Flow:

1. Introduction: The Completion of the Tabernacle’s Outer Furnishings
   • Set the context for Exodus 38, focusing on the construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering, the Bronze Basin, and the courtyard.
   • Introduce the themes of sacrifice, cleansing, and stewardship in worship.
2. Point 1: The Altar of Burnt Offering—The Need for Sacrifice
   • Discuss the significance of the Altar of Burnt Offering as the place where sacrifices were made to atone for sin.
   • Application: How can believers rest in the finished work of Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice for sin and provides full atonement?
3. Point 2: The Bronze Basin—The Need for Cleansing
   • Explore the symbolism of the Bronze Basin and the need for cleansing before approaching God.
   • Application: How can believers live in the reality of spiritual cleansing provided by Christ and the ongoing sanctification of the Holy Spirit?
4. Point 3: The Courtyard—The Holiness of God and the Approach to Worship
   • Highlight the significance of the courtyard as a place of separation between the holy and the common, emphasizing the reverence required in worship.
   • Application: How can believers approach God with reverence and awe, knowing that Christ has made a way for them to enter His presence?
5. Point 4: Stewardship in Worship—Careful Management of God’s Resources
   • Discuss the importance of the detailed inventory at the end of the chapter, emphasizing the careful stewardship of the materials used for the Tabernacle.
   • Application: How can believers practice good stewardship of their resources, using their gifts, time, and finances to further God’s kingdom?

Illustrations and Examples:

• Share a personal story or historical example of someone making a significant sacrifice for the sake of God’s work, drawing parallels to the construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
• Use a metaphor of a fountain of water cleansing and refreshing those who approach it to illustrate the spiritual cleansing that comes through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Application for Today’s Christian:

Exodus 38 challenges believers to reflect on the themes of sacrifice, cleansing, reverence in worship, and stewardship. The construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering points to the centrality of sacrifice in the worship of God, a theme that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Believers are called to rest in the finished work of Christ, who offers full atonement for sin and makes it possible for them to approach God with confidence.

The Bronze Basin reminds believers of the need for spiritual cleansing before entering God’s presence. Through Christ’s sacrifice, believers are washed and made pure, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, they continue to be sanctified. This calls for a life of holiness and a commitment to ongoing spiritual renewal.

The construction of the courtyard emphasizes the holiness of God and the reverence required in worship. Believers are called to approach God with awe and respect, recognizing the privilege of being able to enter His presence through Christ. Finally, the detailed inventory at the end of the chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of stewardship. Believers are called to manage their resources well, ensuring that everything is used for the glory of God and the furthering of His kingdom.

Connection to the Father in Exodus 38:

God the Father’s holiness, justice, and mercy are central to Exodus 38. The construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering highlights the necessity of sacrifice to atone for sin, reflecting the Father’s justice. At the same time, the provision of a means for atonement reflects His mercy and desire for reconciliation with His people. The Bronze Basin emphasizes the need for purity in approaching a holy God, while the courtyard serves as a physical reminder of the separation between God’s holiness and human sinfulness. Through Christ, this separation is overcome, and believers are invited into the presence of the Father.

Connection to Jesus Christ in Exodus 38:

Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the themes in Exodus 38. The Altar of Burnt Offering points directly to Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, where He offered Himself as the once-for-all atonement for sin (Hebrews 9:28). The Bronze Basin foreshadows the cleansing that Christ provides through His blood, and the courtyard’s separation between the holy and the common is bridged through Christ’s work, allowing believers to approach God without fear (Ephesians 2:18). Christ fulfills the role of both the sacrifice and the means of purification, making Him central to the believer’s relationship with God.

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Exodus 38:

The Holy Spirit’s role in the believer’s life is reflected in the cleansing symbolized by the Bronze Basin. Just as the priests needed to be washed before entering the Tabernacle, believers are cleansed by the Holy Spirit and empowered to live lives of holiness (Titus 3:5). The Spirit also works in believers to guide their stewardship, helping them to use their gifts, time, and resources wisely for the glory of God and the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Through the Spirit, believers are continually sanctified and made fit for God’s service.

Connection to God’s Love in Exodus 38:

God’s love is evident in His provision of the sacrificial system, which made it possible for the Israelites to maintain a relationship with Him despite their sin. The Altar of Burnt Offering points to God’s love in providing a way for atonement, a love that is fully realized in Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. The Bronze Basin reflects God’s desire for His people to be pure and holy, emphasizing His love in making a way for them to be cleansed. Ultimately, God’s love is demonstrated in the fact that He desires to dwell among His people and provides the means for them to approach Him.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering in Exodus 38 challenge you to reflect on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice for your sins, and how can you live in the reality of His atonement?
2. In what ways can you seek spiritual cleansing and renewal in your daily life, knowing that Christ provides the ultimate purification and that the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify you?
3. How can you approach worship with a sense of reverence and awe, recognizing the holiness of God and the privilege of being able to enter His presence through Christ?
4. How does the careful stewardship of the resources in Exodus 38 inspire you to manage your own resources—time, talents, and finances—in a way that honors God and furthers His kingdom?
5. How does the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Christ inspire you to live a life of gratitude and worship, knowing that He has made a way for you to be in relationship with God?