Exodus 37

This chapter records the building of the Ark and the Mercy-seat (Exodus 37:1-9), instructions for which are recorded in Exodus 25:10-22; the Table of Showbread (Exodus 37:10-16), instructions for which are in Exodus 25:28-30; the Golden Candlestick (Exodus 37:17-24), the instructions being in Exodus 25:31-40; the Altar of Incense (Exodus 37:25-28), instructions being found in Exodus 30:1-5; the Holy Oil and Incense (Exodus 37:29), the recipe for which is detailed in Exodus 30:22-38. Of course, any modern writer would have written all this merely by the statement that, "Moses did all this exactly according to the instructions of Jehovah." However, this is not a modern book, or even a book like those known in Western Civilization. It is a book written after the style of ancient Near East literature in 1400 B.C., which is thus confirmed as the approximate date of Exodus. This must be added to many other evidences which we have cited here and there throughout Exodus and Genesis, frustrating and destroying the fanciful imaginations which attempt to link these sacred books with a scheming and reprobate priesthood in fifth or sixth century (B.C.) Jewish generations.

For our comments on these items in the sacred furniture of the Tabernacle, see the special articles devoted to each of them in the appropriate passages in which one finds the divine instructions for making them.