Exodus 30 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Exodus 30 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• God delivered the Israelites from slavery in approximately 1491 B.C.

• The events of Exodus 30 took place 3-4 months after the Hebrews left Egypt (19:1).

CHARACTERS:

• God – The Lord’s glory descended on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 30, God spoke with Moses on the mountain and gave him instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle.

• Moses – A Hebrew who grew up in the house of Pharaoh. He fled Egypt in Exodus 2 and went to live in Midian. God called him back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from slavery.

• Aaron – God chose Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be the High Priest of the Israelites.

• Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar – Aaron’s sons who were chosen to serve with him as priests to the people.

WHERE:

• Moses and the Israelites were encamped near Mount Sinai.

OUTLINE:

• THE ALTAR OF INCENSE (30:1-10):

  • Moses was to make an altar for burning incense and put it in the tabernacle in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.

  • It was to be 1 cubit wide, 1 cubit long, and 2 cubits tall.

  • God told Moses to make it out of acacia wood and cover it with gold.

  • Rings were to be attached to its molding so that it could be carried with poles.

  • Aaron was to offer incense on it every morning and evening.

  • Once a year, Aaron was to “make atonement” on the altar once a year.

• THE CENSUS OFFERING (30:11-16):

  • When Moses made a census of the Israelites, he was to collect a half-shekel offering from each person over the age of 20.

  • The offering was to be “a ransom” for the life of the people.

  • The money was devoted to the expenses of the Tabernacle.

• THE BRONZE WASHING BASIN (30:17-21):

  • Moses was to have a bronze basin constructed which would sit between the Tabernacle and the bronze altar in the courtyard.

  • Aaron and the other priests were required to wash before offering sacrifices on the altar or entering the Tabernacle.

• THE OIL OF ANOINTING AND THE TABERNACLE INCENSE (30:22-38):

  • The Lord told Moses to take liquid myrrh, cinnamon, aromatic cane, cassia, and olive oil and to make a “holy anointing oil.”

  • The oil was to be used to anoint everything within the Tabernacle complex (bronze altar, Ark of the Covenant, lampstand, etc).

  • Additionally, Aaron and his sons were to be anointed with the oil.

  • The oil was only to be used on the priests and the holy things, and it was not to be recreated for any other purpose.

  • Next, God gave Moses the recipe for the incense which was to be used in the Tabernacle. It contained sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, frankincense, and salt.

  • The incense wasn’t to be recreated for any other purpose.