Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-03

burnt Offering the laver and then the outer
court. Here were eight distinct and regu-
lar acts of construction. to be done with
due reverence and care always In obeu-
lence to the Divine word Il Cor, xiv:4o).
1t was intended that by this prescribed, uni
form and oft-repeated method the places of
religious worship should be established in
order that those who had to do with them
should know that not their pleasure, but
dod VII. should determine every form.
CONSIDERATION oversees 9-12)--The
construction and erection of the tabernacle
were mechanical. When performed after
the Divine direction. every minute detail
being followed, 1t would seem to bs at
completion a purely human product Some
thing must be done to give sanctity to the
place and to awaken reverence for 1t in
the minds of the people That was ef-
fected by what we would term a dedication
first Of the tabernacle and next Of the men
VINO We're appointed to minister there. This
was done by Moses in a very simple cere-
mony. He touched every part with the oil
or JUNCTION. a compound Of olive oil and
spices, which he had been ordered to make
according to a given prescription and
which 1t was crime to compound or en-
pioy for any other than sacred uses. Olive
oil answered three purposes in domestic
life; it was used as butter is with US: 1t
illuminated dwellings; 1t supplied an agree
able ungent for the skin. In correspond
ence with these three uses 1t served as an
excellent religious symbol. The same oil
was applied to Aaron and his sons after
they were washed In the laver. They were
clad In their priestly garments. made after
ceremony set the places and persons apart
as holy or sacred. removing them forever
from the common secular
S1GN1FICANCE-Th was a pur-
pose in all this which every student must
seek for himself, the chief points of which
may be set forth in series Of statements
l. 1t helped to make the transition from
the worship. Of Egypt with which the
O. fo6 @~ %1,4
ship Of Jehovah. Many objects and forms
Of Egyptian worship We're retained and
given new meaning. The people were not
prepared for sudden change. 2. The
Mosaic revelation to an extent which can
not here be fully stated. The unity Of
God (monotheism). a doctrine received
from Abraham, and the spirituality of God
are especially prominent. 8. The taber-
nacle was the pattern of the temple built
by Solomon at Jerusalem, which in its
permanent form became the great central
place of national worship. T. The taber-
nacle typified the truths of Christianity
This is clearly shown by the author of the
epistle to the Hebrews. and many modern
scholars have set forth the illustrative
power Of this ancient sanctuary. See Prof
Atwater's excellent treatise on ..The
Tabernacle" in which he traces the SYM
bolism OF color, form and number and in
terprets every article of furniture and of
apparel Of the priests. s. Without doubt
the tabernacle exhibited the kingdom Of
God, not only in the stage of development
In which 1t then existed, but as 1t was
destined to pass into higher stages. Jesus
appears to have had this thought in mind
/ John, h:2D. Hence the tabernacle is
important tosthe Christian as an aid in in
terpreting the New Testament.
CONCLUSION-1. We see how wisely
and gently God dealt with the people in
their ignorance and weakness. Just deliv-
cred from Egypt, the Israelites were not
prepared for the elevating truths of pure
monotheism. and forms and ceremonies
were introduced that should help them
gradually elevating and educating them
for better system. 2. We see how re-
ligious interests are progressive. That
which is instituted in one age, while i'm
perfect. nevertheless prepares for that
which must come after. The tabernacle
preceded the temple and that the church,
and each successive period gathers up
what is good Of preceding times and instf-
tutions. g. When any clearly defined
form or institution is established by divine
authority men ought to observe and pre-
serve it for the purpose for which 1t was
originally intended, that thereby Gods
work may advance and His plan unfold
and mature.