Exodus 39:15 says, And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.  The breastplate was the next item to be made.  As with all these things, this is the third time that we are reading about it.  God gave the directions to Moses, who gave them to the elders and builders, and then now we are reading about their actually being made.  We may hear the gospel over and over again, but it will always be God's message.  God gave us the gospel, He calls preachers to proclaim the gospel, and those who receive it are then commanded to go into all the world and share it.  Verse sixteen states, And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.  Ouches are buckles.  They would be both functional and ornate, as was the rest of the outfit made for Aaron.  Verse seventeen says, And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.  Then verse eighteen adds, And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.  The chains, though made ornate, had a purpose, and that was to hold the breastplate to the ephod.  As we do God's work, we must all fit together to be the most effective in doing it.  Verse nineteen says, And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.  Then verse twenty adds, And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.  Then verse twenty-one concludes, And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.  The breastplate was to be secured to the ephod with blue lace so that the two might not be separated.  For the gospel to have meaning today, we must look at the whole life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  It is not enough to say that Jesus was a good man or that He died on the cross, but we must acknowledge that He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for the sins of every individual, and that He rose again the third day to defeat sin and death in our place.  Jesus is either all of these things to us, or His death has no purpose for us.  Verse twenty-two states, And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.  Then verse twenty-three adds, And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.   A habergeon is a sleeveless coat.  The hole in the midst of the robe was reinforced so it would not rend, or tear apart.  Verse twenty-four continues, And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.  These seem to be more ornamental than functional, but they were made according to God's design.  Verse twenty-five says, And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;  Verse twenty-six adds, A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.  The bells were to serve the purpose of letting the people know when Aaron was coming near.  We may not have bells today to announce the presence of God, but we have the Holy Spirit living within us if we are followers of Christ, and this is a greater blessing.  If we are living for Christ, we never have to ask if He is near.

Exodus 39:1 says, And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.  Aaron, who was to serve as the priest of God for the people of Israel, wore special garments, which were called holy garments.  The garments were called holy because they were made and set aside for God's purpose.  We today, as followers of Christ, were made for God's purpose, as were all people, but we ar3e set aside for God's purpose by our acceptance of Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  Verse two states, And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. This is more of the outfit that Aaron, or anyone serving as high priest was to wear.  We have no special physical garments that we are to wear today, but we do have spiritual armor that we are to wear daily.  Verse three adds, And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.  The ephod had gold interwoven into it.  God expected the people to be willing to give what was valued most to carry out service to Him, just as He expects of us today.  Verse four says, They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.  Shoulder pieces were made to fit the ephod together.  No matter how rich we may be as an individual believer or a church, a body of believers today, we must fit together as God's people to effectively carry out His work in the world.  Then verse five a states,  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.  The curious girdle was made of the same material and was made to fit together with the ephod.  Once more, this was all done in accordance with God's instructions to Moses.  We today as Christians must make sure that what we are doing is done in accordance with God's plan.  Verse six declares, And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.  The names of the children of Israel, the descendants of the twelve sons of Israel were inscribed on onyx stones and carried by Aaron when he went before God.  This was to represent all the people there coming before God.  We as followers of Christ do not have our names engraved in stones, but we have our names written in the Book of Life.  Verse seven adds, And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.  These engraved stones were to serve as a memorial to the children of Israel.  Verse eight says, And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.  The breastplate was made of the same material by the craftsmen.  These men were given the ability to do this by God, just as we are given the ability to do whatever God calls us to do by God today.  Verse nine adds, It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled. Then verse ten adds, And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.  Verse eleven continues, And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.  Verse twelve continues on, And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.  Verse thirteen concludes, And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.  There were four rows of different types of precious stones in the breastplate.  Verse fourteen declares, And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.  There were twelve of these stones, each engraved with the name of one of the children of Israel, who with their descendants were the children of God, His representatives in the world then.  We today, as followers of Christ,  are to be His representatives in the world today, and we have our names written in His Book of Life, as previously stated.

Exodus 38:22 says, And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses.  As I have said before, these two men did not do everything by themselves.  They had the necessary help to accomplish the work just as we aren't alone when we do work for God today.  Verse twenty-three states, And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.  We are now given the names of two other men who were involved in the work and their particular talents.  God gave them this ability, just as He does when He calls us today.  Verse twenty-four states, All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.  A talent was considered about twenty years wages for a laborer, and this was only a part of what the people of Israel left Egypt with, and it was all because of God's provisions for them.  We really cannot out give God.  Then verse twenty-five adds, And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:  Verse twenty-six continues, A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.  The people were counted and accessed what we might call a tax, but it was to be used for Gods work.  Verse twenty-seven states, And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.  The silver and gold were used for specific purposes, just as our tithes and offerings must be today.  No matter how much we may receive, we are still responsible for using it in accordance with God's plan and for His glory.  Verse twenty-eight says, And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.  Then verse twenty nine adds, And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.  The items were now made with brass.  We might think that since the brass wasn't as valuable, that it wouldn't need to be used as wisely but like the silver and gold the brass had a purpose.  We likewise have abilities that might not be considered as valuable as others, but all gifts from God are equally important and necessary.  Verse thirty continues, And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brasen altar, and the brasen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar,  Then verse thirty-one concludes, And the sockets of the court round about,and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.  Another part of the tabernacle was completed.  When we complete one task for God today, that does not mean that all of our work is done.

I will pause in the study of Exodus to wish everyone not only a happy New Year but a happy new decade as well.  The last decade of the twenties were referred to as the Roaring Twenties, and it was  time when everyone was sort of in a partying mood.  What will this decade of the twenties be noted for?  The world is so much different now than it was a hundred years ago and there seem to be new inventions or improvements on inventions almost every day.  Still, one thing has not changed, and that is that God is still God.  As followers of Christ, we need to make this day, year and decade one that we put Him first, and let it be known personally as the obedient twenties.  If you are not a follower of Christ, then let this be known as the decade when you became a new person through Christ, and what better time to accept Him than today?  We cannot expect to change the world for God if we allow the world to change us to follow its values.  The Roaring Twenties were not called that because the people of that time were roaring out with the word of God, but were so called because they were chasing after the pleasures of this world.  Of course, New Year's Day is a time to make resolutions, though we always say that they will be broken in just a few days.  So, as followers of Christ, let us resolve to put God's will first in our lives and start today.  Then, let us not think that this resolution is something trivial that we will break in just a few days.  We will naturally fail at times to live in total obedience to God, but we should not approach our resolution to follow Him with the attitude that we are going to fail anyway, so it really doesn't matter if we do.  God will never fail us, so we need to resolve to do our best, through our faith in Him and His guidance and empowerment, to never fail God.  Happy New Year, and new decade, but all we are promised is today, so let us resolve to start today to put God first in all that we do.  If we do, then any other resolution is secondary.  Today, this year, and this decade, may God bless you and may you be dedicated to doing whatever He calls you to do for Him.

Exodus 38:9 says, And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits:  This was a large tabernacle made of some very fine materials.  We today need to give the best that we can to God's to accomplish His work.  Verse ten states, Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.  These were the rest of the dimensions of the south side of the tabernacle.  Verse eleven says, And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.  This verse tells of the dimensions and the make up of the north side of the tabernacle.  Both sides were built according to the instructions that God had given Moses, who had given the instructions to the builders.  God speaks to us directly today, but He also speaks to us through our fellow Christians as we do His work.  Verse twelve declares, And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.  This was one half of the hangings that would make the tabernacle a whole enclosure.  We cannot stop with only a part of God's work done, but must continue until it all fits together, which happens in the next verse.  Verse thirteen adds, And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.  This side would have the opening have the opening, so it would be different from the west side.  Not everything done for God will be done exactly like everything else, but it should all fit together to advance His kingdom and to glorify Him.  Verse fourteen says, The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.  Then verse fifteen adds, And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.  A tabernacle would be of little use if there were not an easy way into it.  Our access to God today is through our faith in Jesus Christ, and though it cost Him everything, it is free and easy for us.  All we have to do is accept Christ by faith as our Savior and Lord.  Verse sixteen states, All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen.  Verse seventeen adds, And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.  We are once more told of the make up of the hangings and the way that they were to fit together.  I believe that all the repetition of these facts were to insure that the people of Israel knew that God's plan was being followed.  Today, our proclaiming of the message of the gospel may sound repetitious to the lost of the world, but it is God's plan and we as Christians must make sure that they realize that it is the only way to salvation.  Verse eighteen says, And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.  All this intricate work required many people working together to accomplish, just as doing God's work today requires all of His people working together.  Verse nineteen adds, And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.  Verse twenty adds, And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass. Then verse twenty-one concludes, This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.  The tabernacle was completed according to God's plan given to Moses and was to be used for the service of the Levites, or the priests of that day.  Today, salvation is complete through Christ and was accomplished for those who accept Him, who are a  priesthood of believers.

Exodus 38:1 says, And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.  In the Old Testament, altars were built at various places to serve as a place to worship God.  It is only natural that the tabernacle would include an altar, since it was to be a place of  worship to God for the people of Israel.  Today, we may have an altar in the church building, but the most important thing is to allow our heart to be an altar to God.  Verse two states, And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.  Our altars don't usually have horns on them, but this one did.  They were overlooked with brass, which wasn't as expensive as gold, but was more practical.  Our worship today should not be just showy, but should be practical and functional as well.  If we make a beautiful altar but are afraid to use it because we don't want to mess it up, we miss the point.  Verse three says, And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.  The altar was to be a place of sacrifice, so there was a need of implements to help with the sacrifice.  When we offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice, we must offer all that we have to help support that living sacrifice.  Verse four states, And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.  This was to catch and remove what was left over from the sacrifice.  Once we have sacrificed something to God, if there are remnants, we cannot allow them to get in our way.  We must clear out the dross.  Verse five declares, And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.  Then verse six adds, And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.  As with everything else, the grate had to be moveable.  The rings and staves were made of brass.  Verse seven continues, And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.  The altar was likewise to be transportable.  We, as followers of Christ, having the altar of God in our hearts, are to be a moving as well as a living sacrifice to God.  Verse eight states, And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  The laver was made of the looking glasses of the women who were gathering at the temple.  Matthew Henry says they weren't just there to watch but to help in the work.  The looking glasses were made of fine brass, not of glass as we would think of today.  Women have not only always helped with the work of the church,but often do the lions share of it.

Exodus 37:20 says, And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:  These last few verses concern the candlestick.  It says there were four bowls like almonds, knops, and flowers.  I have a hard time visualizing this, but it was all to be made according to God's plan.  So, today if we cannot visualize all of God's plan, if we are following His guidance, everything will be okay.  Verse twenty-one states, And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it.  Then verse twenty-two adds, Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.  The dictionary says a knop is a knob, especially an ornamental one.  The six branches and their knops were all the same. and they were made of pure gold.  Verse twenty-three says, And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.  There were a seven lamps, snuffers, and snuff dishes made of pure gold.  We can see why those who were not a part of the people of Israel, God's people, would want the items in the tabernacle.  There was a lot of gold used in making them.  We today as followers of Christ, may not have great riches, but often those in the world desire what we have.  The most valuable thing we have is a relationship with Christ, as was true of the people of Israel, and that is free for the asking.  Verse twenty-four states, Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.  Again, there was a lot of gold used in the construction of these items, and the people of Israel had been willing to give more.  We should always willingly give to support God's work.  Verse twenty-five declares, And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.  There was an altar built to burn incense, and it also had horns on it.  Verse twenty-six adds, And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal.  Then verse twenty-eight concludes, And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.  As with tabernacle and everything else in it, the altar was to be transportable.  With all the gold involved, these things had to be heavy.  The people of Israel not only brought the supplies necessary to build and furnish the tabernacle according to God's plan, but they had to transport when they traveled.  We today are simply tasked with carrying the gospel into the world, yet we often act as though this is too much to ask.  Verse twenty-nine states, And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.  The holy anointing oil was made ready.  We today are anointed by the blood of Christ if we are Christians, and as with the anointing oil spoken of here, it is all by God's design.