Exodus 27

Exodus 27 is part of the section in which God gives detailed instructions about building the Tabernacle. The Exodus account is about movement. Terrence Fretheim points out “the movement in the book of Exodus as a whole is one from slavery to worship, from service to Pharaoh to service to God. More particularly, it is a movement from Israel’s enforced construction of Pharaoh’s buildings to the glad and obedient offering of themselves for a building for the worship of God.” Moses demand to Pharaoh was to let the people go so they could worship and sacrifice to God. In order to worship God they had to be free. The same is true for us today. We must be free from sin and bondage to freely worship God. In these chapters God is ready for the people to start worshiping Him. First, an appropriate place needs to be prepared, and that is why the extensive instructions on building the Tabernacle. In chapter 27 the instruction for the altar of burnt offering, the courtyard and the oil for the lampstand is given. These are three important aspects of worship. We must have a sacrificial altar. We all need a place to ask for forgiveness of sin. The courtyard will be a place of preparation and waiting to go worship. It is important to be properly prepared. The oil for the lampstands will fuel the fire that glows before God all night. I like the old song, “give me oil for my light.” Through the Holy Spirit we can glow before God in our lives.