Latest Commentaries

On the eighth day, the tribe of Manasseh brought offerings to the tabernacle on the eighth day. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.

On the seventh day, the tribe of Ephraim brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.

On the sixth day, the tribe of Gad brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.

On the fifth day, the tribe of Simeon brought its gifts to the tabernacle. Its offerings were the same as all the other tribes.

On the fourth day, the tribe of Reuben brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.

Zebulun brought offerings on the third day.

On the second day, the tribe of Issachar brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.

On the first day of the dedication of the tabernacle, the leader of the tribe of Judah brought offerings to the priests.

The leaders of each tribe begin to bring offerings for the altar, a very holy object. All twelve tribes gave the same offerings. One tribe presented their offerings each day, making the celebration twelve days in length.

The tabernacle’s construction is finished. Moses anoints the altar and the furnishings. Carts and oxen are set aside for the transport of the tabernacle.

In verses 23-26, the LORD added another requirement concerning the service of the Levites. They were to serve in the tabernacle from age 25 to age 50. Then they were to retire from active service. They were, however, allowed to help in certain situations, but they were not supposed to do any work in the tabernacle.

Verses 20-22 record the completion of the ceremony by the Israelites. It involved the purification of the Levites and their presentation to the people and to the LORD as being set apart to His service and the priests’ service. Once these things were done, the Levites began their service.

Having been inwardly and outwardly purified, the Levites now needed atonement. This involved the sacrifice of the two bulls supplied by the Levites and the presentation of them before Aaron. Aaron in turn presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Once this was done, the Levites were dismissed in order to assume their duties in the tabernacle.

Verses 8-11 are concerned with inward purification. Since this could be done only with sacrifice, a grain offering and a sin offering were required. This was to be done in front of all the Israelites.

In verses 5-22, the LORD described how Moses was to conduct the consecration (ordination) of the Levites into their service to the priests. It included inward and outward cleansing and a ceremony of commitment. Verses 5-8 describe outward cleansing. Verses 9-11 deal with inward cleansing. Verses 12-19 are concerned with the ceremony of commitment. Lastly, verses 20-22 speak of the obedience of the Israelites to the LORD’s instructions.

After the offerings of the tribes in chapter 7, the LORD then told Moses to instruct Aaron concerning the lighting of the lamps in the tabernacle. Aaron obeyed and placed the seven lamps in front of the lampstand. The lampstand’s construction was then described.

Jesus Predicts the Disciples’ Desertion: Jesus informs His disciples that they will abandon Him that very night. Peter assures Jesus that he will stick with Him even if everyone else runs away. Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him three times before dawn. Peter tells Jesus that He is wrong and assures His Lord that he is ready to die with Him. The other disciples say they are ready to die for Him also.

Jesus and His disciples sing a hymn and leave the upper room for the Mount of Olives.

The Lord’s Supper: Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples and leads them through what appears to be a Passover Seder. Matthew summarizes his account to include the three moments from Jesus’s retelling of the Passover that most stand out. During this meal, Jesus reveals how the Bread and Wine of the Seder Meal are chiefly about Himself and His role as the Messiah.

John the Baptizer answers the question posed by all of Judea and Jerusalem: he is not the Messiah. However, John the Baptizer unequivocally announces the Messiah is coming, and He will baptize with the Holy Spirit who is the down payment and assurance of salvation.