January 23, 2025
Meeting with God can make all the difference.
Exodus 30-33
Rebekah Banks
Big Book Idea
God redeems His people, sets them apart, and reveals Himself.
Key Verse | Exodus 32:7-8
And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'"
Exodus 30-33
The Altar of Incense
1 You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2 A cubit 1 30:2 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. 3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it. 4 And you shall make two golden rings for it. Under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them, and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it. 5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 6 And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you. 7 And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, 8 and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the LORD throughout your generations. 9 You shall not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and you shall not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”
The Census Tax
11 The LORD said to Moses, 12 “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them. 13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel 2 30:13 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), 3 30:13 A gerah was about 1/50 ounce or 0.6 gram half a shekel as an offering to the LORD. 14 Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the LORD's offering. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the LORD's offering to make atonement for your lives. 16 You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the LORD, so as to make atonement for your lives.”
The Bronze Basin
17 The LORD said to Moses, 18 “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, 19 with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet. 20 When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering 4 30:20 Or an offering by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die. 21 They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die. It shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his offspring throughout their generations.”
The Anointing Oil and Incense
22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, 24 and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin 5 30:24 A hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters of olive oil. 25 And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. 26 With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, 27 and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, 28 and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the basin and its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will become holy. 30 You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 31 And you shall say to the people of Israel, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations. 32 It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. 33 Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’”
34 The LORD said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), 35 and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. 36 You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you. 37 And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the LORD. 38 Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume shall be cut off from his people.”
Oholiab and Bezalel
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, 8 the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9 and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, 10 and the finely worked garments, 6 31:10 Or garments for worship the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”
The Sabbath
12 And the LORD said to Moses, 13 “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. 16 Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”
18 And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
The Golden Calf
1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden 7 32:4 Hebrew cast metal; also verse 8 calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
7 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” 9 And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”
11 But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” 14 And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
15 Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written. 16 The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. 17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” 18 But he said, “It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear.” 19 And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it.
21 And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?” 22 And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. 23 For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 24 So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”
25 And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), 26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD's side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. 27 And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’” 28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. 29 And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.”
30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” 33 But the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book. 34 But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.”
35 Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made.
The Command to Leave Sinai
1 The LORD said to Moses, “Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give it.’ 2 I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
4 When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments. 5 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’” 6 Therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.
The Tent of Meeting
7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. 9 When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD 8 33:9 Hebrew he would speak with Moses. 10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. 11 Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
Moses' Intercession
12 Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”
17 And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”
Footnotes
[1] 30:2 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters[2] 30:13 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
[3] 30:13 A gerah was about 1/50 ounce or 0.6 gram
[4] 30:20 Or an offering by fire
[5] 30:24 A hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters
[6] 31:10 Or garments for worship
[7] 32:4 Hebrew cast metal; also verse 8
[8] 33:9 Hebrew he
Table of Contents
Introduction to Exodus
Timeline
Author and Date
Exodus (meaning exit) is best understood to have been written primarily by Moses, like the rest of the Pentateuch, though some details (such as the narrative of his death in Deuteronomy 34) were clearly added at a later time. It also appears that some language and references were updated for later readers. There is no consensus among scholars as to the date when the events of the exodus took place. A common view is that the exodus occurred in c. 1446 B.C. This is based on the calculation of 480 years from Israel’s departure from Egypt to the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (c. 966 B.C.; see 1 Kings 6:1). However, because Exodus 1:11 depicts Israel working on a city called Raamses, some scholars believe that this would suggest that the exodus occurred during the reign of Raamses II in Egypt (c. 1279–1213 B.C.), possibly around 1260 B.C. (see note on 1 Kings 6:1).
Theme
The overarching theme of Exodus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs. The success of the exodus must be credited to the power and purpose of God, who remembers his promises, punishes sin, and forgives the repentant. The book highlights Moses’ faithfulness and prayerfulness.
Key Themes
- Covenant promises. The events and instructions in Exodus are described as the Lord remembering his covenant promises to Abraham (2:24; 3:6, 14–17; 6:2–8). The promises extend to both Abraham’s descendants and all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3). They include land (which Israel will inhabit), numerous offspring (which will secure their ongoing identity), and blessing (God cares for them and other nations). The fulfillment of these promises is rooted in Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord (Gen. 17:7–8).
- Covenant mediator. Moses mediates between the Lord and his people. Through Moses the Lord reveals his purposes to Israel and sustains the covenant relationship.
- Covenant presence. God’s presence with his people is highlighted throughout the book of Exodus.
Outline
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Exodus of Israel from Egypt (1:1–18:27)
- Setting: Israel in Egypt (1:1–2:25)
- Call of Moses (3:1–4:31)
- Moses and Aaron: initial request (5:1–7:7)
- Plagues and exodus (7:8–15:21)
- Journey (15:22–18:27)
- Covenant at Sinai (19:1–40:38)
- Setting: Sinai (19:1–25)
- Covenant words and rules (20:1–23:33)
- Covenant confirmed (24:1–18)
- Instructions for the tabernacle (25:1–31:17)
- Moses receives the tablets (31:18)
- Covenant breach, intercession, and renewal (32:1–34:35)
- Tabernacle: preparation for the presence (35:1–40:38)
The Journey to Mount Sinai
1446 B.C.
Scholars disagree about the precise route of the exodus, but most agree that Mount Sinai is the site that today is called Jebel Musa (“Mountain of Moses”).
Fact: As numerous as the stars
As numerous as the stars. As the book of Exodus begins, some 350 years have passed since the end of Genesis. The 70 Israelites who went to Egypt have grown into a great multitude. This fulfills God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants and to make them a blessing to all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:5).
Fact: On eagles’ wings
On eagles’ wings. The kind of eagle that the author of Exodus probably had in mind had a wingspan of 8 to 10 feet (2–3 m), making it a fitting symbol of the Lord’s ability to rescue his people from their life of slavery in Egypt.
Fact: God’s glory fills the tabernacle
Israel has witnessed some incredible events, such as the 10 plagues and the parting of the Sea. Now, at the end of Exodus, God’s glory fills the tabernacle and he will lead them to the Promised Land.
Fact: the altar of incense
In OT times, the altar of incense (8:3–4) stood in the Holy Place of the tabernacle and the temple next to the veil concealing the Most Holy Place. Each morning and evening, the high priest burned incense on the altar (Ex. 30:1–10).
Fact: Altar of incense
Altar of incense. Incense was burned to purify the altars after animals had been slaughtered there. Incense also symbolized Israel’s constant prayer to God.
Fact: Instructions for the tabernacle
The level of detail given in God’s instructions for the tabernacle in ch. 30 emphasizes that Israel is to worship the Lord in their midst according to his word and plan.
Fact: The two-drachma temple tax
The two-drachma temple tax. In Moses’ time, each person over the age of 20 was to give a half-shekel offering (the equivalent of two Roman drachmas) for the support of the tabernacle (see Ex. 30:11–16). This practice was still being observed some 1,500 years later, in Jesus’ day, to maintain the temple. In Matt. 17:24, Jesus paid the tax for himself and Peter, using a shekel coin retrieved from a fish’s mouth!
The Setting of Leviticus
c. 1446 B.C.
The book of Exodus finishes with Moses and Israel having constructed and assembled the tabernacle at the base of Mount Sinai. The book of Leviticus primarily records the instructions the Lord gives to Moses from the tent of meeting, but also includes narratives of a few events related to the tabernacle. (Regarding the date of the exodus, see Introduction to Exodus, and note on 1 Kings 6:1.)
The Battle between Yahweh and the Rulers of Egypt
Exodus tells about the plagues God brings about as he frees his people from Egypt. The plagues affect areas of life supposedly protected by Egypt’s gods. Thus, they show God’s power over the gods of the world’s mightiest nation.
| Type of Plague | Reference | Warning? | Time of Warning | Instruction | Agent | Staff? | Pharaoh promises to let people go? | Pharaoh’s heart hardened? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Cycle | 1. Nile to blood | 7:14–25 | Yes | In the morning | Go to Pharaoh; Stand | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes |
| 2. Frogs from the Nile | 8:1–15 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Aaron | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 3. Dust to gnats | 8:16–19 | — | — | — | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes | |
| 2nd Cycle | 4. Flies | 8:20–32 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself to Pharaoh | God | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Egyptian livestock die | 9:1–7 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | God | — | — | Yes | |
| 6. Boils | 9:8–12 | — | — | — | Moses | — | — | Yes | |
| 3rd Cycle | 7. Hail | 9:13–35 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself before Pharaoh | Moses | — | Yes | Yes |
| 8. Locusts | 10:1–20 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 9. Darkness | 10:21–29 | — | — | — | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 10. Death of firstborn | 11:1–10; 12:29–32 | Yes | — | — | God | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Parallels between Exodus and Numbers
| Ex. 18:1 | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Num. 10:29 |
| Ex. 15:22 | Three-day journey to Sinai | Three-day journey from Sinai | Num. 10:33 |
| Ex. 15:22–26 | Complaint about water | Unspecified complaint | Num. 11:1–3 |
| Exodus 16 | Manna and quail | Manna and quail | Num. 11:4–15, 31–35 |
| Exodus 18 | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Num. 11:16–30 |
| Ex. 15:20–21 | Miriam’s song of praise | Miriam and Aaron rebel | Numbers 12 |
| Ex. 17:8–16 | Israel defeats Amalek | Israel defeated by Amalek | Num. 14:39–45 |
| Ex. 17:1–7 | Water from rock | Water from rock | Num. 20:1–13 |
| Ex. 32:6 | People sacrifice to other gods | People sacrifice to other gods | Num. 25:2 |
| Ex. 32:27 | Killing of apostates demanded | Killing of apostates demanded | Num. 25:5 |
| Ex. 32:28–29 | Levites’ status enhanced | Levites’ (Phinehas’s) status enhanced | Num. 25:6–13 |
| Ex. 32:35 | Plague on the people | Plague on the people | Num. 25:9 |
Moses
Moses’ life was spared when his mother hid him in a reed basket and set him adrift on the Nile. Rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as a prince, Moses nonetheless recognized the Hebrews as his people. After killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, Moses fled to Midian, where he married Zipporah. God spoke to him through a burning bush, instructing him to return to Egypt and rescue the Hebrews from slavery to the Egyptians. After performing powerful signs before Pharaoh, Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai, where he received the Law and the Ten Commandments. He led the people of Israel for 40 years as they wandered in the wilderness. Through Moses God redeemed his people from slavery in Egypt, prefiguring Christ’s eternal redemption of his people from slavery to sin. (Exodus 33:17)
Aaron
Aaron was Moses’ brother and his spokesperson before Israel and Pharaoh. When Pharaoh refused to release the Hebrews, Aaron stretched out his rod to bring plagues upon the Egyptians. He helped Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. At Sinai, however, Aaron gave in to the Israelites’ sinful demand and designed a golden calf for them to worship. On another occasion, when the Lord miraculously provided water in the wilderness, both Moses and Aaron failed to give proper honor to the Lord, and as a result they were forbidden entry into the Promised Land. As a descendant of Levi, Aaron became Israel’s first high priest, and all future priests were his descendants. (Exodus 4:15)
Ex. 30:6–8 The altar is to be placed in the Holy Place before the veil that separates it from the Most Holy Place and the ark of the testimony (v. 6; see illustration of the tabernacle tent).
The Tabernacle Tent
The entire tent was 45 feet (13.7 m) long, 15 feet (4.6 m) wide, and 15 feet (4.6 m) high. It was a wooden skeletal structure, overlaid with gold, with no solid roof or front wall (Ex. 26:15–29). Five wooden bars (overlaid with gold) passed through rings attached to each frame (Ex. 26:26–30).
Ex. 30:9 Like all the other tabernacle rules, the rule against offering unauthorized incense emphasizes God’s holiness (see vv. 34–38; Lev. 10:1–3).
Ex. 30:1–10 The altar for burning incense is similar to the altar for burnt offering (27:1–8), except that it is smaller and is overlaid with pure gold (30:3). It is one of the three items in the Holy Place.
The Altar of Incense
The wooden altar, overlaid with pure gold (Ex. 30:1–10; 37:25–28), was 3 feet high, 1.5 feet long, and 1.5 feet wide (1 m x 0.5 m x 0.5 m). It stood in the Holy Place before the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. It was transported by means of wooden poles which were overlaid with gold and inserted through rings attached to the sides of the altar.
Fact: the altar of incense
In OT times, the altar of incense (8:3–4) stood in the Holy Place of the tabernacle and the temple next to the veil concealing the Most Holy Place. Each morning and evening, the high priest burned incense on the altar (Ex. 30:1–10).
Ex. 30:12 The ransom given with the census will prevent a plague. This warns Israel not to let pride in their great numbers replace their dependence on the Lord. Such pride in numbers appears to have been the reason for the Lord’s judgment against David’s census (see 2 Sam. 24:1–17; 1 Chron. 21:1–17).
Ex. 30:11–16 Every person counted in a census is to give half a shekel for the service of the tabernacle. It is an offering to the LORD, either as a ransom or to make atonement for your lives.
Fact: The two-drachma temple tax
The two-drachma temple tax. In Moses’ time, each person over the age of 20 was to give a half-shekel offering (the equivalent of two Roman drachmas) for the support of the tabernacle (see Ex. 30:11–16). This practice was still being observed some 1,500 years later, in Jesus’ day, to maintain the temple. In Matt. 17:24, Jesus paid the tax for himself and Peter, using a shekel coin retrieved from a fish’s mouth!
Ex. 30:17–21 The basin of bronze is for the priests to wash themselves before serving in the tabernacle. It is in the courtyard (see illustration of the tabernacle and its court). The basin may also have been used to wash the sacrifices (Lev. 1:9).
Ex. 30:20–21 so that they may not die. See note on 28:35.
The Tabernacle And Court
The tabernacle was a portable temple—a “tent of meeting”—within a movable courtyard (Exodus 25–31; 35–40). It was constructed after the pattern that Yahweh revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai, and was assembled in the desert as Moses led the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The tabernacle courtyard was 150 feet (46 m) long and 75 feet (23 m) wide, totaling 11,250 square feet (1,045 square meters).
Ex. 30:22–38 This section gives instructions for making the anointing oil and incense. Since the oil is to consecrate the elements of the tabernacle and the priests, and the incense is to be burned inside the Holy Place, each is to be treated as holy and must not be used for any other purpose.
Ex. 30:33–38 shall be cut off from his people. See note on 12:15.
Fact: Instructions for the tabernacle
The level of detail given in God’s instructions for the tabernacle in ch. 30 emphasizes that Israel is to worship the Lord in their midst according to his word and plan.
Ex. 31:3–5 Bezalel is described as being filled . . . with the Spirit of God, which means that he has been equipped to fulfill the particular task to which he was called (vv. 3b–4; compare 28:3; 35:31; Deut. 34:9; Mic. 3:8; Luke 1:15, 41; Acts 2:4; Eph. 5:18).
Ex. 31:14–15 It is unclear exactly what is meant by being cut off from among his people (see 12:15 and note; compare Lev. 17:10; Num. 9:13). Sometimes, as here, the judgment appears to include death at the hand of the congregation. At other times, the person is killed directly by the Lord (see Ex. 30:38; Lev. 10:1–3) or suffers some other kind of separation from covenant benefits.
25:1–31:17 Instructions for the Tabernacle. The instructions for the tabernacle (25:1–31:17) and the description of those instructions being carried out (35:4–40:38) make up most of the second half of the book of Exodus. The tabernacle is the means through which the Lord chose to dwell among his people (see 25:8; 29:45). There are two important keys to understanding the symbolism of the tabernacle. First, the tabernacle is seen as a palace for Israel’s divine king. He is enthroned on the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place. Second, the tabernacle, like the garden of Eden, is where God dwells, and various details of the tabernacle suggest it is a mini-Eden.
Ex. 31:12–17 Remembering the Sabbath by keeping it holy is central to Israel’s life as the people of God. Observance of the Sabbath relates both to creation (v. 17), which Israel shares with all mankind, and to God’s special choice of Israel (vv. 13, 16). The form of the Sabbath commandment in Exodus (20:8–11) stresses the first, while the form in Deuteronomy (Deut. 5:12–15) stresses the second.
31:18 Moses Receives the Tablets. The Lord gives Moses the tablets of the testimony (the Ten Commandments), for which he had called him up to the mountain (24:12).
The Tabernacle And Court
The tabernacle was a portable temple—a “tent of meeting”—within a movable courtyard (Exodus 25–31; 35–40). It was constructed after the pattern that Yahweh revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai, and was assembled in the desert as Moses led the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The tabernacle courtyard was 150 feet (46 m) long and 75 feet (23 m) wide, totaling 11,250 square feet (1,045 square meters).
Ex. 32:19 When Moses saw the golden calf, his anger burned hot. The same words describe the Lord’s response (v. 10), and Aaron uses the same term in v. 22, pleading that the Lord would not let his anger “burn hot.” When Moses throws down the tablets and breaks them, it is a picture of what the people have done in worshiping the calf.
Ex. 32:20 The text does not explain why the people had to drink the water containing the powdered remains of the calf. It may represent (1) a further step in the destruction and desecration of the idol, (2) a step in shaming the Israelites for their folly, or (3) a type of test, like the test for adultery in Num. 5:16–22, exposing degrees of guilt.
Ex. 32:33–34 The Lord determines whose names will be in his book. Compare “the book of the living” (Ps. 69:28), “the book” (Dan. 12:1), “names . . . written in heaven” (Luke 10:20), “the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).
Aaron
Aaron was Moses’ brother and his spokesperson before Israel and Pharaoh. When Pharaoh refused to release the Hebrews, Aaron stretched out his rod to bring plagues upon the Egyptians. He helped Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. At Sinai, however, Aaron gave in to the Israelites’ sinful demand and designed a golden calf for them to worship. On another occasion, when the Lord miraculously provided water in the wilderness, both Moses and Aaron failed to give proper honor to the Lord, and as a result they were forbidden entry into the Promised Land. As a descendant of Levi, Aaron became Israel’s first high priest, and all future priests were his descendants. (Exodus 4:15)
Ex. 33:7–11 Although the Lord has said he will no longer go “among” his people (v. 3), hope remains because of his presence in the pillar of cloud (see 13:21; 14:19; 24:15) and his continued relationship with Moses, to whom he speaks face to face (33:8–11).
Ex. 33:12–16 God has promised to send an “angel” to lead his rebellious people into the land (v. 2), but Moses demands that the Lord himself go with them (v. 15). God agrees to do this, and his presence is demonstrated personally to Moses (33:17–34:28) and publicly as well (chs. 35–40).
Moses
Moses’ life was spared when his mother hid him in a reed basket and set him adrift on the Nile. Rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as a prince, Moses nonetheless recognized the Hebrews as his people. After killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, Moses fled to Midian, where he married Zipporah. God spoke to him through a burning bush, instructing him to return to Egypt and rescue the Hebrews from slavery to the Egyptians. After performing powerful signs before Pharaoh, Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai, where he received the Law and the Ten Commandments. He led the people of Israel for 40 years as they wandered in the wilderness. Through Moses God redeemed his people from slavery in Egypt, prefiguring Christ’s eternal redemption of his people from slavery to sin. (Exodus 33:17)
Ex. 33:19 will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. Paul quotes these words in Rom. 9:15 to show that, when God shows mercy, it is because he has deliberately chosen to do so. See note on Ex. 34:6–7.
Ex. 33:1–23 This chapter describes the difficult time following the golden calf episode, as the Lord says he no longer will go among his people (v. 3).
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Listen NowDive Deeper | Exodus 30-33
How did the golden calf come about?!
Let's not forget that Moses warned Israel that they would be tested in Exodus 20:20-21. He tells them to fear God, "that [they] may not sin." Though the Israelites feared God, they begin to withdraw from His presence. As it says, "The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was."
As Moses continues to meet face to face with God, the people forget what it is like to be in God's presence. This separation from God caused "their hearts to crave Egypt, with its false but tangible gods," as pastor Tony Merida has commented. The same gold that God used as a symbol of His favor with His people (Exodus 12:35-36), Israel uses to create something that directly disobeys the covenant they made with God a few chapters before. They even attribute their salvation from Egypt to other gods!
God responds in Exodus 32:7-8 (emphasis added), saying to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'"
This creates an interesting parallel to Exodus 6:7, when God says, "I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
God is planning to abandon Israel, but Moses intercedes on behalf of the people and speaks of God's own character. God shows mercy toward Israel while still enacting justice.
Like the people of Israel, we need an intercessor. Someone even better than Moses. As believers, Christ is our true and perfect intercessor who has atoned for our sins. And unlike the Israelites who withdrew from God's presence, through Christ we have the hope of drawing near to the throne of grace.
This month's memory verse
"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'"
– Exodus 34:6
Discussion Questions
1. Take a few minutes to sit and be still in the presence of the Lord.
2. Have you ever noticed your heart craving "Egypt"? What is your Egypt? Confess this to someone in your community and memorize Galatians 5:1.
3. Moses and the Israelites had a choice to move toward or away from God. In your life today, are you moving toward God or away from Him? If you are moving toward Him, take time to thank the Lord for your closeness. If you are moving away, remind yourself of the Lord's desire for intimacy with you (Hebrews 4:14-16).