Chapter 32: Becoming a Nation
Q1 - How were the Israelites able to construct the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, all the items that accompanied the tabernacle, and construct the priestly garments while camped for a year at the mountain of God?
A1 - The source of the materials used in constructing all that God had commanded likely came from the many items the Israelites had received from the Egyptians as they left Egypt. Recall in Exodus 12:33–36 that they collected articles of silver and gold and also clothing from them. When you consider the vast number of Israelites involved, this amounted to a tremendous amount of goods.
The acacia wood was probably obtained from the trees around the areas where the Israelites camped. Some items, such as the ram skins, likely came from their own livestock. Then, when the Israelites battled and subsequently defeated the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8–16), it’s quite likely the Israelites gathered plunder from them. It’s also possible the Israelites traded goods with other people who may have lived in the area or were passing through.
When it was time to assemble the materials for the tabernacle, God told Moses the items that were needed. The people were to bring what they had in accordance with what their hearts prompted them to give (see Exodus 25:1–7).
While Moses was on the mountain, God gave him detailed instructions for building the tabernacle, the items associated with it, the ark, and the priestly garments (Exodus 25–30). He then endowed certain craftsmen with the skill, ability, and knowledge to create all that He had commanded (Exodus 28:3–5; 31:1–11).
Q2 - In what situations were the trumpets to be sounded (see Numbers 10:1–10)? Find other Old Testament references to the trumpets and how they were used.
A2 - Moses and Aaron must have welcomed the addition of the trumpets which God commanded be made. These instruments certainly made communicating with this multitude of people much easier and more efficient. Different blasts meant different things. The trumpets were to be used when calling an assembly, breaking camp, going into battle, and also in times of rejoicing and worshipping (Numbers 10:1–10).
The sound of a trumpet heralded the meeting of God with the Israelites shortly before He gave them the Ten Commandments. Recall that when Moses led the Israelites out of the camp to meet with God at the foot of Mount Sinai, there was a very loud trumpet blast. The whole mountain trembled violently and smoke billowed up from the mountain like a furnace. During all this, the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then, Moses spoke and God answered him (Exodus 19:16–19).
Other times when the Old Testament records that trumpets were sounded include these:
Trumpets were to be used in commemorating the sacred assembly which the Israelites were to observe on the first day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:23–25).
During the time of the judges, Ehud, who had killed Eglon, the king of Moab, blew a trumpet to summon the Israelites to come help him fight (Judges 3:26–30).
Trumpets were used along with other instruments when King David and the Israelites were celebrating before God during the time they were moving the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 13:7–8).
When King David declared that his son Solomon was to become king after him, he gave instructions concerning his anointing. Afterwards, the trumpet was to be blown and they were to shout—“Long live King Solomon!” (1 Kings 1:32–35).
As the Israelites were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, their enemies opposed them. They armed themselves and had someone with a trumpet be with them. When the trumpet sounded, everyone was to come join them (Nehemiah 4:16–20).
When the wall had been rebuilt around Jerusalem, trumpets were used in the dedication ceremony (Nehemiah 12:31–37).
Q3 - How is our Communion or Lord’s Supper today similar to the Passover? How does it differ?
A3 - God’s instructions concerning the first Passover are given in Exodus 12:1–23 and 12:43–51. The account of Jesus's last supper is given in Matthew 26:17–30, Mark 14:12–26, and Luke 22:7–23. John’s account of the last supper doesn’t give the specifics of the meal but does talk about Jesus washing the feet of His disciples in John 13:1–30.
In creating the original Passover celebration, God provided a way to feed His people in preparation for the arduous journey which lay ahead. In so doing, He also provided a way for them to be spared from the death of all their firstborn. The blood from the same lamb which nourished them was to be sprinkled around the door frames of their homes, thereby signaling the destroyer to pass over their homes and not to enter.
The sacrifice could be either a young male lamb or a goat that was without blemish. It was to be roasted whole over the fire with none of its bones broken in the process. Along with the meat, they were to eat bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. All of the meat had to be consumed by morning or else they had to burn any that remained. It was to be eaten in one house, with none of it taken outside. They were to eat in haste, with their staff in their hands, their sandals on their feet, and their cloak tucked in their belt. When it was time for them to depart, they needed to be ready to walk out the door. No uncircumcised males could partake of the Passover feast.
Jesus, shortly before He was betrayed, hosted one last meal for His disciples. During this meal, He took bread and blessed it and gave it to his disciples to eat. Because this occurred during the time of the Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, which lasted for seven days, the bread would have been unleavened or baked without yeast, much like the bread the Israelites ate during the first Passover. He also took a cup of wine or the fruit of the vine, gave thanks, and offered it to His disciples as well.
Several things differed between Jesus's last supper and the original Passover meal. Only bread and wine are mentioned as being part of Jesus’s last supper. There is no indication they ate lamb with bitter herbs as the Israelites did during the first Passover. Also, the drinking of wine or grape juice is not mentioned as being part of the original Passover celebration. Through the years, wine did become part of the celebration and must have been traditionally done by the time Jesus came to earth, as He included it in His meal.
Christians today seek to celebrate Communion or the Lord’s Supper in accordance with the way Jesus hosted His last supper. Jesus Himself served as the lamb without blemish that was offered for the sins of the world. He likened the bread to His body and the cup to His blood which was poured out for us. Whereas in the original Passover, the body of the lamb provided nourishment for the people and its blood saved the Israelites from physical death, Jesus, as our Passover Lamb, gave His blood to save us from spiritual death. His Word, the New Covenant which came into effect upon His death, nourishes our souls. By our obedience to His Word, we have life eternal.
Other scriptures which talk about the Lord’s Supper include: 1 Corinthians 5:7–8, 10:16–17, 11:23–29, and John 6:26–59.