SHITTIM WOOD AND PURE GOLD
Monday – January 8, 2018
Over the last several days I have been talking about the earthly tabernacle and the various pieces of furniture designed by God and built by Moses in the wilderness to be a habitation for God among His people. Later the Temple in Jerusalem became the place where God dwelt among His people. Moses was shown the pattern for the Tabernacle on Mt. Sinai (Hebrews 8:5, Exodus 25:40) Today, since Calvary each of us in Christ Jesus are a habitation, a tabernacle for God (2 Corinthians 4:7). The featured illustration today is from Rose Publishing materials licensed for teaching purposes. We can see a cut out of the Most Holy Place and a small portion of the Holy Place with the heavy veil which separated the presence of God from the people, and from the priests except the High Priest once a year. At the Cross and following that partition is torn down and God is with and in those who believe. We can choose Jesus and once again be whole spirit, soul, and body! I left off last Friday with Hebrews 9:4 and the golden censer. Let us review our primary text and move into the Ark of the Covenant and its contents.
Hebrews 9:1-7 (KJV)
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
God gave very specific instructions for the construction and the materials for The Ark of the Covenant which would be in the Most Holy Place.
Exodus 25:10-11 (KJV)
10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
The Ark itself was constructed of “shittim wood” and then overlaid with “pure gold”. Remember that the pure gold is representative of the purity and value of God. Do not interpret that as meaning the value of God is limited to the value of gold it is but a representation, gold is among the most valuable and treasured things of the earth put pales dramatically in the face of our God. Not only is God pure but we are made pure by the coming and acceptance of this New Covenant, the Blood of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Ghost. Now, what about the “shittim wood”, why not white birch or pine? Well, let us look at the root meaning of the word “shittim” according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary which is to pierce, flog, goad, or scourge. Does any of that sound familiar in relation to our Savior Jesus Christ? Let us all remember the Word of the Lord given to Adam on the Day of Sin and recorded by Moses for us all to be comforted with.
Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Next the Prophet Isaiah gave us greater insight into exactly what would be required of the coming Messiah (The Word, Jesus) to make us pure, holy.
Isaiah 53:4-12 (KJV)
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
There is much, perhaps even whole books, that can be said about the Isaiah fifty-three passage. What a wonderful passage! Considering Isaiah 53:12 have we decided to be among the weak or among the strong? Both will go to Heaven but only the strong are effective representatives of the Kingdom of God, of Jesus, of the Father Himself, will secure much reward, and have abundant entry into Heaven.
2 Peter 1:10-11 (KJV)
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Notice the little phrase “if ye do these things” in 2 Peter 1:10. It is well worthwhile to review the verses from the beginning of the chapter to see exactly what “these things” are, and determining to take our responsibilities seriously. As you look at the following Scripture describing a part of what was required of our Savior, the Messiah think back upon and review the definition of the “shittim wood” and the “pure gold” that was obtained by the price of the “shittim wood”.
Matthew 27:26-31 (KJV)
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
O what a Savior!
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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