by Chris Steele

April 6, 2008

From the time that God appeared unto Moses and commanded him to return to Egypt and ask for the release of Israel from slavery, we begin to see a recurring phrase in scripture. “And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, so did they” (Exodus 7:6). Draw a line under “as the Lord commanded.” This phrase appears sixty-eight times from Exodus through Deuteronomy.

While they were building the tabernacle, with all of its intricate elements and details, they did just “as the Lord commanded Moses.” When they were making the garments for the high priest, they did “as the Lord commanded Moses.” We can see references made every few verses to, “as Jehovah (or the Lord) commanded Moses” (Exodus 39:1, 5). In making the ephod and the breastplate, they did “as the Lord commanded Moses (Exodus 39:7, 21). On and on they did just “as the Lord commanded Moses (Exodus 39:26, 29, 31).

When they had finished all the work of the tabernacle, the Bible says, “Israel did according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses; so did they...According to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work (Exodus 39:32, 42). Then following this discourse an emphasis is made once again stressing the same phrase. “And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them” (Exodus 39:43).

In the next chapter, when they were getting ready for the first ceremonies of the new tabernacle, we are reminded again and again that what they did was exactly as Moses was commanded by God. When they assembled the tent of meeting, they did “as the Lord commanded Moses (Exodus 40:19). When they brought the ark of the covenant in and set up the veil, they did “as the Lord commanded Moses (40:21). When they put the bread on the table, lighted the candles, and burned the incense, they did “as the Lord commanded Moses (40:23, 25, 27, 29). When Aaron approached the alter to wash, he did “as the Lord commanded Moses” (40:32).

Inspiration used Moses as an example of obedience; emphasizing the fact that Moses held to the pattern that was shown to him in the mount (Hebrews 8:1-5).

If Moses had to do everything God’s way, shouldn't we also have respect God’s authority and do all things his way (cf. Matthew 7:21; Romans 15:4)?