The Pulpit Commentaries
Exodus 38:1-20
EXPOSITION
THE FURTHER PROGRESS OF THE WORK—THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FURNITURE FOR THE COURT.—Exodus 38:9-2.—AND OF THE COURT ITSELF. On the completion of the tabernacle, Bezaleel and his assistants turned their attention to the court and its furniture; and constructed, first, the altar of burnt offering (Exodus 38:1); secondly, the bronze laver (Exodus 38:8); and thirdly, the hangings, pillars, connecting-rods, hooks and pins for the circuit of the court (Exodus 38:9-2). Exodus 38:1 correspond to Exodus 38:1 of Exodus 27:1.; Exodus 27:8 corresponds to Exodus 27:18 of Exodus 30:1.; and Exodus 30:9-2 correspond to Exodus 30:9-2 of Exodus 27:1.
The pots. This translation is better than that of Exodus 27:3, which is "pans." Buckets or scuttles to convey the ashes from the altar to the ash-heap (Le Exodus 1:16) are intended.
Of the looking-glasses of the women. This interesting fact has not been previously mentioned. Bronze plates, circular or oval, admitting of a high polish, were used by the Egyptian women as mirrors from a very early date, and may be seen in the Egyptian collection of the British Museum. They have handles like those of our fire-screens, generally also of bronze. It was natural that the Hebrew women should possess similar articles, and should have taken care to bring them with them out of Egypt. The sacrifice of them for a sacred purpose is rather to be ascribed to their own serf-denying piety than to any command issued by Moses (Spencer). Which assembled. Literally, "who came by troops." Women assembled themselves by troops at the entrance of the "tent of meeting" set up lay. Moses (Exodus 33:7), as at a later date we find Hannah (1 Samuel 1:9) and other women who were less worthy (1 Samuel 2:22) doing. The women who showed this zeal were those that made the sacrifice of their mirrors for God's service. There is no reason to suppose (with Hengstenberg and others) that they constituted a regular "order."
Their fillets. Rather, "their connecting-rods," as in Exodus 27:10.
The overlaying of their chapiters of silver. This is additional to what is recorded in Exodus 27:1; and is parallel to what we find related of the tabernacle pillars in Exodus 36:38. Filleted with silver. Rather, "connected with silver rods." Compare Exodus 27:17.
The height in the breadth was five cubits. The height of the hangings all round the court was required to be five cubits, or seven and a half feet (Exodus 27:18). It appears by the expression here used—"in the breadth"—that the material was woven of exactly this width.
Their chapiters. This again is additional to the directions given Compare the comment on Exodus 38:17.
HOMILETICS
The triumph of female piety over female vanity.
Hebrew women were, it must be presumed, much like other women in their natural dispositions, and therefore not without their share of personal vanity. The fact, that in all the haste of their sudden departure from Egypt they had not omitted to carry with them their metal mirrors, is indicative of this. The mirror was the most valued of toilet articles, and the most indispensable for effecting that end, at which almost all women aim—the making the best of those advantages of personal appearance which nature has vouchsafed to them. It is difficult to imagine any material sacrifice to which a woman would not more readily have consented than the loss of her mirror. Yet we know that the sacrifice was made by large numbers; for the laver was a vessel of considerable size. Let us consider then,
1. The motive of the act;
2. the antecedent conduct which led up to it;
3. the reward which it obtained.
I. THE MOTIVE OF THE ACT. No other motive can be conceived of than true piety. Piety loves to make offerings to God. Piety does not count the cost. Piety, the gift of grace, can triumph over nature; transform a poor vain worldling into a saint; make no sacrifice seem a hard one. It must have been piety which made these women give their mirrors, either,
1. In addition to their personal ornaments (Exodus 35:22), or
2. In default of them.
Some after offering their ear-rings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and the like, may have desired, from pure love of God, to give more, and casting about to consider what more they could give, may have bethought them of their mirrors. Others may have had no personal ornaments to give; and if unable to spin, may have had nothing else but their mirrors which they could contribute. In either case, piety was at the root of their giving.
II. THE ANTECEDENT CONDUCT WHICH LED UP TO IT, They who contributed their mirrors were women wont to "assemble at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation." In other words, they were such as had previously made all the use they could of their religious opportunities. We see that God does not shower down his precious gifts of grace at random—but "helps such as help themselves." He granted the priceless grace of self-denying love to those who were constant in serving him at the place where he had "set his name," and was to be found of them that sought him. Much prayer, much waiting upon God, had gone to form the character of those who now found themselves able to make a willing sacrifice of their vanity.
III. THE REWARD WHICH THEIR ACT OF SACRIFICE OBTAINED FOR THEM. It obtained for them the high reward of special mention in God's holy word—a place in his "Valhalla"—a record in his "Roll of worthies." Of the other offerings we know not, for the most part, whether they were made by men or women—much less by what class of men, or what class of women. Only here, and in Exodus 35:25, Exodus 35:26, is the sex specified, and only here the class. Let women take this to heart. Let them be ready to sacrifice to him all their adornments—"braided hair and gold and pearls, and costly array" (1 Timothy 2:9)—let them be ready to sacrifice even, if need be, their personal charms (as many do in fever or small-pox hospitals), and they will not be forgotten by him—they will not go without a recompense. If their act be not recorded in any other book it will be written in that heavenly record, out of which all will be judged at the last day (Revelation 20:12).
For other Homiletics on the subjects of this chapter, see those on Exodus 27:1.
HOMILIES BY J. ORR
The brazen altar, the laver, and the court.
See Homilies on Exodus 27:1; Exodus 30:17-2.—J.O.
The mirrors of the women.
The women assembling at the door of the tabernacle (see Hengstenberg's "Egypt and the Books of Moses,"—"The Institution of Holy Women ") gave up their mirrors for the making of the laver. Learn—
1. Peculiar devotion to God expresses itself in acts of sacrifice.
2. Religion gives power to make sacrifices.
3. It weans the affections from the world.
4. It gives superiority to the motives of personal vanity. The mirror is peculiarly a woman's instrument of self-pleasing. It is her means of pleasing the world.
5. Religion teaches godly women to study simplicity in personal adornment (1 Peter 3:1).
6. Self-denial in outward adornment is valueless, unless" in the hidden man of the heart," there be the positive inward adornment of holiness (1 Peter 3:4). This was taught by the use to which Moses put the offerings—the making of the "laver." Regeneration is the true beautifier.—J.O.
HOMILIES BY J. URQUHART
The Court and its lessons.
I. THE FURNISHING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE COURT
(1) The altar on which the sacrifice for Israel's sin was laid, and their own offerings accepted. Christ is the foundation and the power of all our service.
(2) The laver. It was fashioned from the mirrors of the women, The adornment of the outward was exchanged for inward purity, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. It stood there for the daily use of God's priests. They could pass into God's presence only as their defilement had been washed away. "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Are we being washed ere that hour comes when we must appear before him?
2. The construction of the court.
(1) God's grace makes a separation between the Church and the world. To break down this is to undo God's work.
(2) The wall of separation was fine twined linen. It is a separation not only between faith and unbelief, but between righteousness and unrighteousness.
(3) The world sees the results only, the means by which they are attained are hid from its view; but the results are a call to come and see.
3. The order in which they were made. The altar first, then the laver, and, last of all, the enclosing of the court. First, Christ and his sacrifice; next, the washing of regeneration by him through the Spirit; and, last of all, the gathering together of the Church. This is the Divine order. The true Church has ever this history. None have a right to be there on whom the work of altar and laver has not first been done.
II. THE MATERIAL.
1. The record of it is kept. There is nothing of all that is given for God's service, the history or place of which is forgotten.
2. The use to which it is applied. The gold is put to the highest use; the silver—the redemption money—is the foundation of the sanctuary; the brass is used for the altar, the laver, and the court. Each is put to its proper use, and a place is found for all. No gift can be brought to God which he will not employ.—U.