A People at Worship

Exodus 28:1; 35:4-9, 20-29

GOLDEN TEXT: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”—Matthew 4:10

THE choice of Aaron and his sons to serve as priests, or blessers, of Israel, constitutes, one of the important typical lessons in connection with God’s dealings with this nation. The Aaronic family was of the tribe of Levi, and this entire tribe was set apart by God to serve the other eleven tribes in all matters pertaining to their relationship with God under the terms of the Law Covenant.

In this lesson, Israel as a whole, apart from the tribe of Levi, was typical of all those who will ultimately become God’s people under the terms of the New Covenant during the “times of restitution.” (Acts 3:21) It will be then that the “tabernacle of God” will be “with men,” and he will dwell with them, and be their God, and they will become his people.—Rev. 21:3

But the Levitical tribe of Israel, and especially the priestly family of that tribe, were chosen from the others to serve in connection with the arrangements of the tabernacle. Thus these were typical of those who, during the Gospel age, are chosen from the remainder of mankind, Jews and Gentiles, to be the channel through which the promised blessings of life will flow to the people during the thousand years of Christ’s reign. Aaron was a type of Christ, and his sons were typical of the church of Christ, his body members who share with him in the privilege of sacrifice, and are his joint-heirs in the glory of the kingdom.

All the Israelites were invited to contribute something toward the building of the typical tabernacle. In this we see exemplified the principle of giving, as a part of true worship. The invitation stipulated that each individual was to bring of that which he had. This gracious provision of the Lord holds true in his dealings with all of his people. He never expects us to give that which we do not possess. His requirements are always reasonable, and within the ability of his people to meet when they are filled with his spirit.

But God is pleased for his people to make real sacrifices as evidences of their devotion to him. On one occasion David was offered a gift of that which he could, in turn, give to the Lord as an offering, but he declined the gift, saying that he would not sacrifice to God that which had cost him nothing. (II Sam. 24:24) Would that more of the Lord’s people might keep this viewpoint in mind!

Jesus commended the widow who cast her two mites into the treasury of the temple, explaining that the offering was more valuable in God’s sight than the much larger amounts which were given out of the abundance of those who gave. To give a million dollars would not be a sacrifice to one who could afford to give several millions; and it would not be as pleasing to God as a small amount given by one who may have deprived himself of a great need in order to give it. So the “cost” of what we give to the Lord depends upon the extent to which we deprive ourselves in order to make the gift.

The Israelites responded most heartily to the invitation to bring of their possessions those things which could be used to build the tabernacle and furnish it. A liberal spirit of co-operation was manifested on their part in this connection which has seldom, if ever, been apparent in such full measure at any subsequent time. They contributed more than was needed or could be used, and it became necessary for Moses to issue a command that no further contributions be made.

“Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary,” Moses ordered. (Ex. 36:6) This was the first time in recorded history, and so far as we know, the last, that it ever became necessary to restrain God’s people from bringing offerings to him. The people certainly must have been thoroughly convinced that they were co-operating in the work of the Lord. And the fact that Moses called a halt to the offerings reveals that he was not seeking to take advantage of them in any way. It is difficult to imagine the nominal church leaders of today telling their people to cease giving.

Moses’ invitation to give was addressed to those who were of a “willing heart.” Sacrifices which are not made willingly and whole-heartedly, are not acceptable to the Lord. It was God’s will for Jesus to lay down his life in sacrifice, and he is prophetically recorded to have said, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” No other attitude is pleasing to God.—Psa. 40:7,8; Heb. 10:5-7

Doubtless there were many in the camp of Israel at the time the tabernacle was built who took no part in the project. They may riot have opposed what the others did, but not being willing-hearted they did not recognize their privilege of contributing something toward that which was to become a symbol of God’s presence in their midst. In any and all groups of the Lord’s people, there are usually to be found those of willing hearts, and others who seem satisfied to enjoy the lesser blessings of those who are measurably inactive.

QUESTIONS:

Of whom were Aaron and his sons a type?

When will the tabernacle of God be with men?

Why does God appreciate the sacrifices of the willing-hearted?

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