Exodus 37 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

CHAP.XXXVII.

The ark, the mercy-seat, the table of shew-bread, the golden candlestick, the altar of incense, the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense, are made.

Before Christ 1490.

Exodus 37:1-9.— In God's work great exactness is needful; we must follow his written word, neither adding thereto, nor diminishing therefrom: thus did Moses.

The furniture of the most holy place is finished: the ark, the cherubims, and mercy-seat; these are inseparable. Note; When Jesus, the true Mercy-seat, is in our hearts, then shall we see the favourable countenance of God over us, and within us the deep engravings of his holy mind and will.

Of pure gold— God's table and its vessels were rich gold; but the provision which was placed upon it was far more precious. The gold might decay, and its beauty be tarnished; but the soul that feeds upon Christ, the Living Bread which the loaves there placed represented, shall infinitely outlive that gold in duration, outshine it in lustre, and outweigh it in excellence.

And he made the candlestick, &c.— The word of God is the golden candlestick, pure in itself, without alloy, and serving to enlighten us for all the spiritual services whereunto we are consecrated. May we know how to value the inestimable blessing, and never provoke God to remove his blessed and holy word from us by our sins against the light of it.