Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Exodus
Book: Exodus
Chapter: 38
Overview:
The brazen
Altar and
Laver.
(1-8) The
Court.
(9-20) The
offerings of the people.
(21-31)
1-8 In all ages of the
Church there have been some persons more
devoted to
God, more constant in their attendance upon his
ordinances, and more willing to part even with lawful things,
for his sake, than others. Some women, devoted to
God and
zealous for the
Tabernacle Worship, expressed zeal
By parting
with their mirrors, which were polished plates of
Brass. Before
the invention of looking-glasses, these served the same
purposes.
9-20 The walls of the
Court being of curtains only, intimated
that the state of the Jewish
Church itself was movable and
changeable; and in due time to be taken down and folded up, when
the place of the
Tent should be enlarged, and its cords
lengthened, to make room for the Gentile world.
21-31 The foundation of massy
Pieces of
Silver showed the
solidity and purity of the
Truth upon which the
Church is
founded. Let us regard the
Lord Jesus Christ while reading of
the furniture of the
Tabernacle. While looking at the
Altar of
burnt-
Offering, let us see
Jesus. In him, his
Righteousness, and
Salvation, is a full and sufficient
Offering for
Sin. In the
Laver of
Regeneration,
By his Holy
Spirit, let our souls be
washed, and they shall be
Clean; and as the people offered
willingly,
So may our souls be made willing. Let us be ready to
part with any thing, and count all but loss to win
Christ.