Exodus

Exodus 38: God provides for holy worship

Begin in prayer

Before the altar and the account of materials show how Israel’s gifts are used, let us ask God for faithful hearts. Pray that we will honor His provision and trust the sacrifice of Jesus above every offering of our own.

Yahweh is Gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.

Psalm 116:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us the need for sacrifice and cleansing before You. Show us Jesus, and make us faithful with the resources You entrust to us. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The altar of burnt offering is made from acacia wood covered with brass, with utensils, grating and carrying poles. The basin and its base are made from the mirrors of women ministering at the entrance to the meeting tent. Linen hangings, pillars and the embroidered eastern screen complete the court around the sanctuary. A record counts the materials under Moses' command through Ithamar, while Bezalel and Oholiab carry out the skilled work. Gold is weighed, and the silver from the counted men’s half-shekel payments is used for sockets and fittings. The brass is accounted for in the altar, bases, utensils and pegs.

As you read Exodus 38, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God provides sacrifice and requires faithful stewardship for His people’s worship.

The altar and basin bring the account into the court where sacrifice and priestly washing will take place. The basin’s brass comes from the mirrors of women ministering at the meeting tent’s entrance. Their useful gift becomes part of the place where priests must wash before service. The court’s hangings and eastern screen mark the enclosure around the altar and tent. The report then gives an account of the materials under Moses' command, through Ithamar’s oversight of Levitical service. This record joins the skilled labor of Bezalel and Oholiab to accountable use of the people’s offerings. The silver comes from the equal half-shekel payment of the counted men and becomes sockets, hooks and fittings. Gold and brass are also weighed and their use recorded, so the gifts serve the purpose God commanded. Sacrifice, cleansing and responsible service belong together before the holy God, whose perfect provision for sinners is Christ.

How does Exodus 38 show us that God provides sacrifice and requires faithful stewardship for His people’s worship?

God provides sacrifice and washing at His dwelling.

The altar is prepared for burnt offerings, and the basin for priestly washing. The women’s mirrors supply the brass for the basin. These gifts serve God’s appointed approach, which Hebrews 10 verses 1 to 14 lead us to see fulfilled in Christ.

The people’s gifts are used under accountable oversight.

Moses commands the count and Ithamar oversees the Levitical service connected with it. Bezalel and Oholiab are named as the skilled workers. Holy service includes truthful stewardship of what others have given.

God’s purpose governs both large gifts and small fittings.

The same half shekel is counted for each man in the census. The silver becomes sockets, hooks and fittings, while brass supplies the altar, bases and pegs. All these materials serve the dwelling God has promised among His people.

Memorise

Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Yahweh commanded Moses.

Exodus 38:22

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where does my use of God’s gifts show that I need Christ’s forgiveness?

The basin is made from the mirrors of the women who served at the meeting tent’s entrance. Their gift becomes a means for the washing God requires. Beside it stands the altar where sacrifices will be offered.

Our outward gifts cannot cleanse the guilt within our hearts. Jesus carried the sin of His people to the cross and suffered their judgment as He died. He rose, having redeemed them through an offering made once for all. His sacrifice is enough for the cleansing that no weight of silver or gold could purchase.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. All who rely on His redeeming blood receive forgiveness. Then use what He gives with honest hands and a thankful heart. The Savior’s costly mercy teaches His people to honor God in both worship and ordinary stewardship.

Parent's note

Tell your children that offerings were accounted for and served God’s worship, while Jesus' death and resurrection provide the cleansing sinners need. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for sacrifice, cleansing and gifts used faithfully in His service, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28

Father, thank You for the gifts used to prepare Israel’s worship. Forgive the dishonest and selfish ways we have used what You give. Please lead us to repent and trust Jesus for cleansing. Teach our family to handle gifts responsibly and to serve with gratitude for His mercy. Amen.