The Pulpit Commentaries
Exodus 27:19
EXPOSITION
THE VESSELS OF THE TABERNACLE. There were many "vessels of the tabernacle" which have not hitherto been mentioned, as the great laver in the court (Exodus 30:18; Exodus 40:30) with the basins for washing which must have belonged to it; the pins or pegs whereby the various curtains were extended and supported; and probably much sacrificial apparatus besides what is enumerated in Exodus 27:3. All these were to be of bronze, the commonest metal of the time, but one very suitable for the various purposes, being, as the Egyptians manufactured it, of great hardness, yet exceedingly ductile and ready to take all shapes. Its usefulness and convenience caused it to retain its place, even in the gorgeous and "magnificent" temple of Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:2, 1 Chronicles 29:7), where it was employed for the two great pillars, Jachin and Boaz, for the great laver or "brazen sea," for the mailer layers upon wheels, for the pots, the shovels, the basins, the snuffers, the spoons, and many other sacred vessels (1 Kings 7:15-11; 2 Kings 25:13, 2 Kings 25:14). Though "common," it was never reckoned "unclean," or less fitted for the service of the sanctuary than silver or gold. It had, however, its own proper place, an inferior place to that held by the more precious metals.
All the pins thereof. The "pins" of the tabernacle are undoubtedly the pegs or tent-pins, whereby the tent-cloth wherewith it was covered was extended and kept taut. There were also probably similar pegs or pins for cords used to keep the "pillars" (Exodus 26:37) or tent-poles in place. The pins of the court supported in the same way the pillars of the court (Exodus 27:10-2).
HOMILETICS
The value is God's sight of what is common and homely.
God does not despise anything that he has made. "His mercy is over all his works" (Psalms 145:9). Each of them has its fit and proper place. Each one of them is needed in his universe. Much less does he despise any of his human creatures. He has seen fit to gift them variously, to make some of gold, some of silver, and some of brass, some to honour, and some to comparative dishonour; but for all he has a use. No intellect is too homely, no nature too rude and unrefined to find a place somewhere in his Church where it can do him service, and even perhaps do it better than a more refined and more highly gifted nature. Difference, gradation, variety, is the law of his universe. "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory" (1 Corinthians 15:41). In the angelic hierarchy there are angels and archangels, principalities, and powers; in the Church triumphant there are grades—princes who sit on thrones, judges of tribes, rulers over ten cities, rulers over five cities, and a "great multitude" who have no authority, but are simply "saints." And so it is, and must ever be, in the Church militant. "There are diversities of gifts," higher and lower natures, minds of extraordinary power, and dull, homely intellects. Bat all have their use; for all there is room; and God values each. God will have none despised. The brazen vessels of the outer court—ash-pans and basins, and flesh-hooks, and fire-pans, and tent-pins—were as much needed for the tabernacle and its service, as the silver sockets and rods, or the golden taches, and rings, and snuff-dishes. Bronze is more suitable for many purposes than gold; and ordinary human nature can do God's work better in many positions than great gifts or extraordinary intellect.