Analysis of Exodus Chapter 27
Exodus Chapter 27 is a crucial segment of the narrative where God provides Moses with detailed instructions for the construction of the altar and the courtyard of the Tabernacle. This chapter consists of 21 verses, and it can be divided into two main parts: the specifications for the altar (verses 1-8) and the description of the courtyard of the Tabernacle (verses 9-19), culminating with the instructions for the oil for the lampstand (verses 20-21). This analysis aims to unfold the symbolic and theological significance of these instructions, facilitating a deeper understanding of their spiritual implications.
Verses 1-8: The Altar of Burnt Offering
In these verses, God provides explicit instructions to Moses on how to construct the altar for burnt offerings. The altar is a central element of the Tabernacle, reflecting the importance of sacrifice in the worship of God.
- Verse 1: “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.”
In this verse, the dimensions of the altar are specified. The use of acacia wood, a durable and insect-resistant timber, signifies its longevity and resilience. The square shape and specific dimensions (approximately 7.5 feet on each side and 4.5 feet high) suggest uniformity and stability.
- Verses 2-5: “You shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze; and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar.”
The horns on the altar’s corners are symbolic of power and authority, used later for seeking asylum (1 Kings 1:50). The bronze overlay and grating denote durability and the capability to withstand intense heat. The utensils for the altar, made entirely of bronze, reflect ritual purity and the practical necessities for operating the sacrificial system.
- Verses 6-8: “And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.”
The design includes portability, signifying that God’s presence and the means of atonement (sacrifice) travel with the Israelites, affirming His continual presence and guidance. The instructions Moses received on the mountain underscore divine origin and perfection in the design.
The theological significance of the altar goes beyond its physical description. The altar is a place of sacrifice and a symbol of atonement, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The fact that it had to be constructed according to God’s exact specifications highlights the importance of following divine instructions in worship and the need for a mediator between God and humanity.
Verses 9-19: The Courtyard of the Tabernacle
These verses delineate the physical layout and elements of the courtyard, which was to surround the Tabernacle itself. This area was significant as the outer boundary where Israelites would present themselves before God.
- Verse 9: “You shall make the court of the Tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side.”
The linen hangings illustrate purity and separation from the common or profane world. The use of fine twined linen emphasizes the sacred nature of the space, symbolizing righteousness and purity.
- Verses 10-11: “Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. And likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.”
The combination of bronze (symbolizing judgment or purification) and silver (symbolizing redemption) for the pillars correlates with the dual theme of judgment and mercy in the sacrificial system. The measurements ensure ample space for the congregation to gather.
- Verses 12-19: “And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. The breadth of the court on the east side shall be fifty cubits. The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. On the other side the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases. All the pillars around the court shall be filleted with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver, and their bases of bronze. The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twined linen and bases of bronze. All the utensils of the Tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze.”
The intricate details of the courtyard indicate the importance of approaching God reverently and in an orderly fashion. The description of the gate’s screen, woven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, denotes royalty, divinity, and sacrifice. These colors reinforce the sacredness and splendor associated with the place where God’s presence dwells. The height of the hangings (approximately 7.5 feet) ensures a distinct separation between the sacred space and the outside world.
The courtyard served as a threshold where Israelites could make sacrifices and offerings, but entry into the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was restricted, emphasizing that access to God’s immediate presence required sanctity and mediator (the priests). This separation prefigures the New Testament understanding of Christ as the intermediary who grants believers direct access to God.
Verses 20-21: The Oil for the Lampstand
The final two verses shift focus to the provision of oil for the lampstand within the Tabernacle.
- Verses 20-21: “You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.”
Pure beaten olive oil indicates the highest quality, symbolizing purity and holiness. The regular upkeep of the lamp by Aaron and his sons signifies the perpetual nature of God’s presence and the continuous responsibility of the priesthood to maintain the spiritual light. This practice represents the unceasing vigilance and spiritual dedication required of God’s people.
The lampstand is often associated with God’s guidance and the light of His truth, which should never be extinguished. It foreshadows Jesus, referred to as the Light of the World in the Gospel of John (John 8:12). The meticulous requirement for the oil and the sustained flame underscores the enduring nature of divine illumination and guidance.
Conclusion and Theological Reflections
Exodus Chapter 27, with its precise instructions for the altar, the courtyard, and the lampstand oil, offers rich theological insights and spiritual symbolism. The chapter underscores several key themes:
- Holiness and Separation: The physical design and materials of the Tabernacle and its components reflect God’s holiness and the need for sanctity in approaching Him. The fine linen and materials used stress the importance of purity and dedicated space for worship.
- Sacrifice and Atonement: The altar’s presence and its detailed construction highlight the central role of sacrifice in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. This points forward to the ultimate atoning sacrifice of Christ.
- Divine Presence and Guidance: The perpetual flame of the lampstand symbolizes God’s everlasting presence and guidance. It serves as a reminder of the light and truth God provides to His people.
- Mediated Access to God: The instructions imply that access to God must be through His appointed means and mediators, prefiguring the role of Christ as the ultimate High Priest.
- Order and Obedience: The chapter stresses the importance of following God’s explicit commands carefully, indicating that worship is not a matter of human creativity but divine prescription.
The specificity and repetition found in these verses serve not only practical purposes but also pedagogical ones, teaching the Israelites about the seriousness of worship and the character of God. This chapter is a blueprint not just for physical construction but for spiritual worship, guiding believers in the principles of holiness, sacrifice, and continual devotion.
In reflecting on Exodus Chapter 27, modern readers can draw various applications, from the necessity of purity in our worship and devotion to God, to the recognition of Christ as the fulfillment of all sacrificial systems and our perpetual light. By understanding the depth and significance of these commands, believers can better appreciate the profound continuity between the Old Testament rituals and the New Testament realities.