Furnishing the Courtyard
Open Your Bible
Exodus 38:1-31, Psalm 51:14-17, Hebrews 10:1-14
BY Melanie Rainer
My husband and I like to joke that, from 2012 to 2015, we were exiled to the Midwest. In truth, we loved our time in two new states, but our hearts longed to be home in Nashville with our friends and family. But graduate school and a new job took us to Missouri and then Kentucky, and by the time we limped bleary-eyed and empty back to Nashville, by the grace of God and a few new opportunities, we were ready to set down permanent roots.
So we decided to build a house. It took months and a million decisions. (Do you have any idea how much grout is in your house? A lot. And we had to decide the colors of all of it.) But when we finally moved in, we knew we were home. We carefully chose each detail to create what is, to us, our ideal home. The kitchen floors are resilient hardwood, designed to handle three kiddos and a crazy cat. We chose carpet for the stairs so when we run up and down them a hundred times a day, we don’t risk a fall. Thoughtful, intentional, and reflective of our family’s particular brand of chaos—this is our home.
I have a tendency to skim over these pages in Exodus because I’m not sure all of these details really matter. Does knowing that the pots on the altar of the tabernacle were made of bronze really help me draw closer to God?
There are no wasted words in the Word of God; every detail reveals something glorious. Even when the details seem incredibly minor, they matter. There is a rich theology of the building of the tabernacle, and it is woven through these passages about bronze and gold and linen.
The writer of Exodus used the Hebrew word mishkan, which means “tabernacle” or “dwelling place.” The tabernacle was not just a mobile house of worship where the Israelites could come to offer sacrifices to God; it was the literal dwelling place of the Lord among His people. And so, unlike the half-dozen different shades of grout for my new house, every detail of building the tabernacle really matters. Every detail reveals its holy purpose. Thoughtful, intentional, reflective of God’s glory and His promise to dwell among his people—the tabernacle was God’s home.
The Israelites built the tabernacle with bronze, silver, and gold. The outer areas were bronze, and the holy of holies (where God Himself dwells) was constructed of gold, the most precious of metals. God’s holiness was evident at every turn, drawing His people to Him.
Eventually, God would come to dwell with His people in flesh and bone. John 1 tells us that the Word would become flesh and tabernacle (dwell) among us (vv. 1-2)—a far more precious thing in His sight than even the most valuable metals and cloths.
From the garden of Eden to the tabernacle in the desert, from Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem to the flesh and blood of Jesus, from our modern sanctuaries to the promised new heaven and new earth—God’s desire to dwell among His people is clear. It is His heart’s desire. May it be ours as well.
29 thoughts on "Furnishing the Courtyard"
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Okay! I found one more to add to what I typed above about the basin and cleansing! Thought I would share: II. A laver, to hold water for the priests to wash in when they went in to minister, v. 8. This signified the provision that is made in the gospel of Christ for the cleansing of our souls from the moral pollution of sin by the merit and grace of Christ, that we may be fit to serve the holy God in holy duties. This is here said to be made of the looking-glasses (or mirrors) of the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle.
Thank you, Jesus!
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@Kelly Neo and all the SHES I found this from a commentary too about the bronze basins. So much here! i. It is wonderful to think that these women gave up their ability to measure their own physical beauty to make this reservoir for the water of ceremonial washing. By analogy, it may be said that some are so focused on looking at themselves that they fail to look to Jesus. It is always time to surrender such a mirror to Jesus.
ii. From a New Testament perspective, one may say that believers experience the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26), and that the word of God is like a mirror (James 1:22-25).
iii. “It was highly significant that the brass of these mirrors was employed to construct that laver in which the priests must wash on approaching the altar or entering the Tabernacle. It is in the beauty of holiness men must worship, and by the surrender of everything of the flesh.” (Morgan)
iv. “Let those who view themselves oft in their looking-glasses take his counsel who said, ‘Art thou fair? Be not like an Egyptian temple, varnish without and vermin within. Art thou foul? Let thy soul be like a rich pearl in a rude shell.’” (Trapp)
Amazing! Prayers for you all today!
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@Kelly Neo, thank you for sharing. I was thinking about this. The basin was used for cleansing. We are only cleansed by Him. Thank you @Angie Mills. How beautiful and amazing! Also proof that all His Word is important! There will never not be more to learn and be amazed at in His Holy Word.! Also, this helps me. My name is Kristen which means Christian. I am ruined without being saved by God’s grace and the work and Blood of Jesus!
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What struck me is the directions: North side, South, West, and East, which was the gate. The tabernacle, Solomon’s temple, the rebuilt temple.
Many things in life are beautiful, but they need to be positioned and pointed in the right direction, towards God!
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Years ago I did a Beth Moore Bible study called “A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place” about the tabernacle of God, and it was absolutely fascinating! I highly recommend it if anyone wanted to do a more in depth study on this subject. I even looked on line and saw that someone had posted her video sessions!
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Sorry not finished— in minute detail for His presence to dwell- His Holy Spirit, here and now.
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A new thought comes to mind for me- how He created each and every one of us perfectly with details
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Verse 8 of the ministering women stood out for me.
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