SERIES D --- YHVH’S TABERNACLE --- LESSON 13

PURE GOLD

FURNITURE FOR THE TABERNACLE

From Exodus 37

The Ark which Bezalel made was three and three-quarters feet long by two and one-quarter feet wide and two and one-quarter feet high. He covered it with pure gold inside and out and made a golden moulding around it. He placed two golden rings on each side through which he placed two poles of acacia wood, each covered with gold. These were used to carry the Ark. Bezalel also made a mercy seat of pure gold, which covered the Ark like a lid. It was three and three-quarters feet long by two and one-quarter wide. He fashioned two cherubim of beaten gold and placed them facing each other at the two ends of the mercy seat. This entire mercy seat was one piece of metal, including the cherubim, which looked down upon the Ark with outstretched wings. The next piece of tabernacle furniture to be made was the golden table. It was made of acacia wood, three feet long by one and one-half feet wide and two and one-quarter feet high. It was covered with gold and had a golden moulding around the edge. The frame which surrounded the table was about the width of a man’s hand and had a golden moulding around it. Golden rings were mounted on the four legs of the table, through which the poles were placed to carry the table. From pure gold Bezalel made the golden utensils for the table; plates and dishes for incense and bowls and flagons which were used to pour libations. He also made the golden lamp stand, moulded from one piece of gold. The entire piece, including its base and shaft, lamp holders and decorative almond blossoms, was made from one piece of gold. From its sides came six branches, three from each side. Each branch had three cups shaped like almond blossoms with calyx and petals. On the shaft of the lamp stand were four cups like almond blossoms, each having calyx and petals and a calyx below each pair of branches. The calyx and branch were all part of the lamp stand, so that the entire lamp stand was one piece of metal. The lamp stand itself was made of pure gold and weighed about a hundred and seven pounds. Also, all of the seven lamps, the snuffers and the trays were of pure gold. Bezalel made the incense altar of acacia wood and covered it with pure gold. It was three feet high and eighteen inches square and had a golden moulding around it. On each side were placed two golden rings through which were placed carrying poles, covered with pure gold. The anointing oil and fragrant incense were made from spices. These were blended by the perfumers.

COMMENTARY

THE MENORAH AND THE TABLE OF SHOWBREAD

In front of the veil before the Holy of Holies, two gold objects gleamed. One of them was a large lamp stand or candleholder called the menorah. The other was a table three feet long and one and a half feet wide; it held twelve loaves of bread-the showbread. The menorah had a long centre stalk. Three branches spread out from each side. It was made from pure gold, hammered out into one piece forming the base, stalk and the branches. The seven oil cups at the top were shaped like almond flowers; they symbolized fruitfulness. Beneath them sprouted tiny apples or pears and lily flowers. The burning lamps represented the presence of YHVH. Some believe the design of the menorah was meant as a symbol for the tree of life. It may represent Israel as a tree. It is possible that it is a copy of a real tree that has six branches and a centre stalk and is called a {Moriah} in Hebrew. Opposite the menorah stood a table that held twelve loaves of bread-two rows of six each. A cup of incense burned over each row. The priests ate the bread every Sabbath and replaced it with fresh loaves. Showbread meant {Bread of the Presence} and may have signified YHVH’s presence.