Jewish Customs and Traditions.
By F. C. Gilbert
The Sanctuary and Its Services.—Continued.
THE boards of the sanctuary, as is illustrated in the cut below, formed the solid part of the structure. They were all of one length and breadth. There were forty-eight in number, forming the three sides of the building, as the entrance into the sanctuary was closed by a vail. The boards were all covered with gold, and were placed in an erect position. In each board were cut two tenons, that they might fit closely one into the other, and thus there be no friction. Each board rested in two silver sockets, thus giving to each a good foundation. There were also long bars made, part of which went the entire length of the building on each side, and some of them went part way only. The foundation upon which they stood was nothing of artificial make, but the earth which God formed. God himself made the foundation for his tabernacle. What beautiful Gospel truths we learn from these materials! As we think of the boards all of the same length and all the same breadth, how forcibly it does remind us that God’s people are all to grow into the same height and stature as is He, the pattern. All to grow into Him, the living head. Not that some of them should be larger than others, but all were to be of the same stature in Christ. Not merely the physical height or stature, but to grow up into men and women of Christ Jesus. How beautifully this does represent his blessed church!9 And then they were so arranged into each other that they all fitted beautifully. So the apostle, speaking of God’s building being erected, says, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Eph. 2:21, 22. Evidently the apostle Paul must have had the placing of the boards together when he makes this statement, for how true it is that, as the boards back yonder were fitted in so closely together, all perfectly smooth, so God wants his church to be framed together, all passing along smoothly, without any friction of any kind, each one doing the work which God gave him to do; not harboring any feelings that some one is doing a given work that I might do, or doing more than I am able to do. Thus growing together, what a beautiful structure the temple of the living God does become! We are advised by the great Counselor to buy of him “gold tried in the fire,” which is the faith that he gives. So the church is covered with the faith of him, that as he beholds them within, the Lord sees the beautiful faith of himself covering his people; and how gloriously they do appear in his sight thus! Faith is the gift of God; and he is the Author and Finisher of it. So when he imparts to his children his own faith, they then are covered with the gold which he has tried, and thus are all bright and shiny. The boards resting in the sockets of silver declare unto us upon what our salvation rests. Silver is always referred to in the Bible as the redemptive value. Ex. 30:11–16. “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value.” Matt. 27:9. The church of Christ rests on his merit, because of his redeeming value which he has secured for us. The foundation for the building was nothing artificial, it was one which the Lord himself provided. What a grand truth it teaches us, No man can lay other foundation than that which is laid, Christ Jesus! And ye are built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets; Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. God himself laid the foundation for his church, and well could he say that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.” What a beautiful foundation to build upon! and it is not to be wondered that such a beautiful temple will be built, for God is doing the work from the laying of the foundation till the building is complete. The bars were used to bear the boards upon the shoulders of the Levites, and carry them from place to place. And this has ever been the work of the Master, as he declared to Israel, I have carried you about on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Yea, he bare them and carried them all the days of old. Every board had its silver sockets, its tenons, and its share of the bar. So every Christian, a member of the church of Christ, depends on the Master for his redemption, is knit together with the members of the church, and is ever carried about by Him, the great Burden-bearer. Blessed privilege for such a life! “Cast thy burden on the Lord;
Lean thou only on His word:
Ever will He be thy stay,
Tho the heavens shall pass away.”
F. C. Gilbert.