[10] And he made the table
of shittim wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth
thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof: [11]
And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round
about. [12] Also he made thereunto
a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the
border thereof round about. [13] And
he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners
that were in the four feet thereof. [14]
Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear
the table. [15] And he made the staves
of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.
[16] And he made the vessels which were upon
the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to
cover withal, of pure gold.
Observe how much the dispensation of the gospel exceeds
that of the law. Tho' here was a table furnished, it was only with shew
- bread, bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on the
table, and afterwards only by the priests: but to the table Christ has
spread in the new covenant all good Christians are invited guests, and
to them it is said, Eat, O friends, come eat of my bread. What the law
gave but a sight of at a distance, the gospel gives the enjoyment of.
[17] And he made the candlestick
of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his
branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:
[18] And six branches going out of the sides
thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof,
and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:
[19] Three bowls made after the fashion of
almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds
in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches
going out of the candlestick. [20]
And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and
his flowers: [21] And a knop under
two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and
a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going
out of it. [22] Their knops and their
branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.
[23] And he made his seven lamps, and his
snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold. [24]
Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.
This candlestick, which was not of wood overlaid with
gold, but all beaten - work of pure gold only, signified that light of
divine revelation with which God's church upon earth (which is his tabernacle
among men) hath always been enlightened, being always supplied with fresh
oil from Christ the good olive, Zechariah 4:2,3. The bible is a golden
candlestick, it is of pure gold; from it light is diffused to every part
of God's tabernacle, that by it the spiritual priests may see to do the
service of his sanctuary. The candlestick has not only its bowls for necessary
use, but its knops and flowers for ornament; many things which God saw
fit to beautify his word with, which we can no more give a reason for than
for these knops and flowers, and yet must be sure they wert added for good
purpose. Let us bless God for this candlestick, have an eye to it continually,
and dread the removal of it out of its place!
[25] And he made the incense
altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of
it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the
horns thereof were of the same.
The incense burnt on this altar daily, signified both
the prayers of saints, and the intercession of Christ, to which is owing
the acceptableness of them.
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