Monday, October 25, 2021

Seder 74: Exodus 38-39---A Tabernacle Inventory

 The section from Exodus 38:21 through Exodus 39:31 gives a listing of the valuable raw materials used in Israel's tabernacle.  In his Exodus commentary, Dennis Prager observes that the careful listing is a model for a transparent process for carrying out the project.  It was made clear how all the donations were used.  

A continual refrain throughout this part of the Exodus is the phrase "as the Lord had commanded Moses" (Ex 39:1,5,7,21,26,29,31).  The Israelites were eager to participate in this project and to demonstrate their repentance after the golden calf incident.  

The materials were of great total value, amounting to what today would be many millions of dollars.  Of course the opportunity for the Israelites to travel with God present in their midst was priceless (see Psalm 84).  

No comments:

Post a Comment

Seder 47: Isaiah 56:1-8--Righteousness is More Important than Pedigree

 Commentators often divide the book of Isaiah into three sections, with chapters 1-39 in the first section, chapters 40-55 in the second, an...