Building Of God’s Sanctuary: Part 3

The building of God’s holy sanctuary was the key to fulfilling the laws that were given by God unto Moses. It was this place that the children of Israel could come to God and make their holy sacrifices unto Him. This is why the Lord was very specific in His instructions on how to build it and even the court and altar. In part 3 of this message, we will be discussing the details of this altar and the courtyard. As with the building of the sanctuary and everything inside of it, those plans were given to Moses in Exodus, chapters 25 and 26. And why do you think God is so specific in His instructions? It is because God’s plans are higher than our own, and also way more thought out in advance than we could ever do. So when doing God’s will, just like Moses had to understand, we do it not always understanding what His meaning is or how it all works, but because we believe in Him. This drives what we do for God and not for ourselves. So let us first look at the altar that was to be made, and then the court, but please note that the description here is only a summary of what is in Exodus, chapter 27. So please also read this chapter from the beginning after reading this devotional. As for the altar, of which God describes, it was to be made of shittim wood. The measurements were four square, or five cubits long, five cubits broad and the height three cubits. Upon the four corners of it were to be put horns that are overlaid with brass. At the top thereof would be placed a grate of brass, which would receive the ashes of the offerings. On the two sides of the altar were staves or wooden staffs that were held in place by two different rings. This was used to carry the altar from place to place, as needed by God.

The next part of God’s sanctuary was the courtyard, of which the altar was to be placed. This is the outer part of where the sanctuary stood. In this place, God instructed, that 1“the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side: And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.” (Exodus 27:10,11) The same thing was also instructed for the north side of the court. 1“The breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits.” (Exodus 27:13) There were also to be put hangings on the different sides of the gate. These hangings were to be 1“of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four. All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.” (Exodus 27:16,17) Here we can see how this place stood out in its beauty and artistry. Lastly, God said, 1“thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.” (Exodus 27:20,21) And this concludes the building of God’s holy sanctuary. 2What a place this must have been, but it is also like unto a temple that is in heaven now, along with the ark. All those that believe in Jesus will be able to experience this place for themselves.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will all live this life fully for You. Surely, there are many obstacles in our paths, but with You at our side, we are able to be more than conquers. No temptation is able to cut through the armor that You place in our lives. Much like the building of your holy sanctuary, you are able to give us specific instructions and how to fulfil them. It is Your holy presence that gives us hope and helps us do things that we would not be able to do otherwise. I give You thanks for Your guidance and direction in my life. I would be helpless to do anything good, if Your light was not shining inside of me. I say this because my works are of no importance and good for others if You are not doing the work inside of me. What I need is more instructions from You, God, that I might live out a life of faith and love on people as You love on me. I love Your commands God, and the more I am taught, the better I am able to live my life. Therefore, I plead for the Holy Spirit in my life. I need that fire to give me the strength to carry on faithful to Your promises. Your ways are better for my life and everyone else. So I pray that all people will one day see this. May they be able to understand the joy I found in You and choose to follow You. I know how happy I have become, because of Your mercy and grace, and I wish everyone else could experience the same joy that I know and love for themselves. You are the supplier of our happiness and I wish to make that known to every person on earth. You are my guide and I will follow You. Lead me to the lost, that they may discover You for themselves and be saved. I love You God. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

1Exodus 27 (KJV)
1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.
2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
4 And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof.
5 And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.
6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.
7 And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.
8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
9 And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:
10 And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.
11 And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
14 The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
15 And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
16 And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.
17 All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.
18 The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
19 All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.
20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
21 In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

2Revelation 11 (KJV)
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

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