Meaning of Exodus 39:38

This verse from Exodus 39:38 enumerates a specific list of sacred items that were meticulously crafted and prepared for the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary God commanded the Israelites to build in the wilderness. These items represent the culmination of the detailed instructions given to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Each element listed—the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain—was not merely decorative but served a vital functional and symbolic purpose in the worship of God and the mediation of His presence among His people. The careful inventory here underscores the importance God placed on the precise execution of His divine plan for worship and fellowship.

Context and Background

Exodus 39 details the completion of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings according to God's exact specifications as given in earlier chapters (Exodus 25-31). The artisans, specifically Bezalel and Oholiab, along with those appointed by God, had worked diligently to fashion everything from the Ark of the Covenant to the priestly garments. This verse acts as a concluding inventory of some of the most significant items within the Tabernacle complex, highlighting those that were central to its sacred function and divine presence. The "gold altar" likely refers to the Altar of Incense, which was placed before the veil leading into the Most Holy Place, distinct from the Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering outside. The anointing oil and incense were essential components for sanctifying the Tabernacle, its vessels, and the priests, and for the daily worship rituals. The curtain served as a vital barrier, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, accessible only to the High Priest on the Day of Atonement.

Key Themes and Messages

Several key themes emerge from this list. Divine Order and Precision is paramount; God’s instructions were to be followed without deviation. The enumeration emphasizes that everything was made according to His design. Sanctification and Separation are also central; the anointing oil and incense were used to set apart individuals and objects for God’s exclusive service, and the curtain physically separated the sacred from the most sacred. Worship and Access are further highlighted; these items facilitated the Israelites' worship and provided a means for God’s presence to dwell among them, though access was regulated and mediated. Finally, Sacrifice and Mediation are implicitly present, as these furnishings were integral to the sacrificial system and the priestly ministry that bridged the gap between God and humanity.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, these items prefigure aspects of God's redemptive plan in Christ. The gold altar (Altar of Incense) represents prayer ascending to God, as described in Revelation 8:3-4 where an angel offers incense with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne. The anointing oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who consecrates believers and empowers them for service (1 John 2:20, 27). The fragrant incense signifies the acceptable prayers and worship offered through Christ, whose righteousness makes our offerings pleasing to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8). The curtain is a powerful symbol of the separation that sin creates between humanity and God, a separation that was ultimately bridged by Jesus Christ.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a crucial link in the narrative of God's covenant relationship with Israel and His desire to dwell among them. It demonstrates God's meticulous planning for establishing a holy dwelling place for Himself in the midst of a sinful people. This Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as a tangible representation of God’s presence and the means by which His people could approach Him. The detailed instructions and the faithful execution of these instructions set the stage for the entire Old Testament sacrificial and priestly system, which pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice and priesthood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reinterprets these Old Testament symbols, showing how they find their fulfillment in Christ and the Church.

Analogies

One analogy for the Tabernacle and its furnishings is a royal reception tent. The outer court is where the public could approach with their petitions (burnt offerings), the Holy Place is where trusted advisors or dignitaries could meet the king (priestly functions and incense), and the Most Holy Place is the inner sanctum, accessible only to the king himself or his most trusted representative, representing God’s ultimate presence.

Another analogy is a medical facility. The Bronze Altar is like the emergency room where immediate treatment for sin's wounds is administered through sacrifice. The Holy Place is like the diagnostic labs and patient rooms where ongoing care and spiritual nourishment (anointing oil, incense) are provided. The Most Holy Place, separated by the curtain, is like the director’s office, representing God's ultimate authority and presence, accessible only through the highest level of mediation.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse resonates with numerous other biblical passages. God’s command for precision is echoed in Exodus 25:9: "Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it." The significance of the incense is amplified in Psalm 141:2: "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" The spiritual meaning of the anointing oil is found in 1 John 2:20, 27: "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. ... But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true and not a lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him." The separation caused by sin and its bridging by Christ is powerfully illustrated by the tearing of the temple curtain in Matthew 27:51: "And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." The concept of access to God through Christ is further elaborated in Hebrews 10:19-22, which speaks of boldness to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, through the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.