The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-02
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
LESSON FOR AUGUST 3
THE TABERNACLE
Exod., xl:1-13.
BY REV. J. r. GILBERT, D. D.
bs1stasy Of American Society q Religious
Education

CONTEXT-Before beginning the study
Of our lesson one should read with more
than ordinary care the last fifteen chap
ters of Exodus. The context is always
important in every passage of Scripture
or other literature, but here it is indis-
pensable. The few verses before us taken
out of their setting can have little mean
ing to any mind and might as we'll be
cast aside unless the direction made is
followed. But in their rightful relation
as part of a continuous narrative they
may be instructive, 1t will appear upon
this reading as suggested that our gen.
eral topic is too comprehensive. We have
not really lesson upon the tabernacle
but rather upon its erection and con-
secration. But for the sake OF fuller and
Sclearer view we shall treat the subject
more extensively than these thirteen
verses might require The Importance
of the theme is sufficient warrant Tor
such course.
HISTORY.-After the delivery of the
hrst group of laws to Israel md the pop
ular ratification of the covenant Moses
was called again into the mount to meet
God. There he was instructed to make
. sanctuary, dwelling place for the AL
mighty (EX. Xxv:S). For this purpose
the people were directed to present a free
will offering of gold, silver. brass, fine
linen, goats hair, rams skins, badgers
skins, shittim wood,oil spices and pre-
cious stones. Some of these materials
were brought from Egypt, and some were
obtained in the wilderness since the ex-
odus. God so gave full directions con-
cerning the structure and its furniture
was to be called the tabernacle of the
congregation. distinguishing from the
tent which had been the headquarters
(Ex. xxxiii:s). Moreover, the tabernacle
ssf ion nd ifc ut
were represented pictorially to Moses
eek. xxv:9). God indicated the men who
should be the architects Bezaleel of
Judah and Aholiah of Dan, upon whom
the spirit of God rested (EX NxXi:2, g. 81.
The work was interrupted by the worship
of the golden calf, but after the punish
ynent of the offenders and the restoration
of the people to the Divine favor, it was
resumed and pushed forward to compile
tion. 1t is impossible for us to determine
precisely how much time was occupied
in the construction
DEsCRIPTION.-The tabernacle proper
was an oblong rectangular structure, 30
cubits eco inches to cubit long by 10
wood boards 10 cubits long standing erect
In close contact with each other and fas-
tened together. 1t was covered with
four sets Of curtan-one of fine twined
linen ornamented with cherubim of cum
ming work, one of goats hair. one Of
rams skin and one of badgers skin.
These curtains were spread from side to
side elevated at the top to form ridge.
The tabernacle was divided into two
parts-the Holy Place and the Holy of
Holies. separated by a veil, the former
twice the size of the latter. There was
but one piece OF furniture in the Holy of
HOLES, the ark of the covenant. small
chest overlaid within and without with
gold. On the upper side of the ark was
the mercy seat supporting two cherubm,
one on each end, regarded rs the SYM
ooic throne of the Divine presence. be-