Golden Boards

by H. Darke, Vancouver, B.C. | Category: General | Jul 1962

Those whom God has brought together in testimony for Himself, are called (among other things) in the New Testament, living stones (1 Peter 2.5), priests (Revelation 1.6), and a priesthood both holy and royal (1 Peter 2.5, 9), sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6.17, 18), and disciples (Acts 11.26). In the Old Testament Israelis seen, amongst other descriptions, as a kingdom of priests, a peculiar treasure (Exodus 19.5), a holy nation (Exodus 19.6), and, typically, as golden boards (Exodus 26.15-80).

The golden boards formed an important part of the construction of the beautiful Tabernacle in the wilderness. The wood of these golden boards, which speak to us today of the unity of believers in

the house of God, came from the acacia tree. We are told in Ecclesiastes 11.3 that "where the tree falleth, there shall it be," and this is often true when God in the gospel message " cuts down " men and women, and they are saved. Where they grew naturally they often remain, whereas God has in view the wondrous intention that they should find a place in His house. God "willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2.4). The acacia tree had to be cut into boards that met divine specifications (Exodus 26.15, 16). No allowance was made for human measurement, for these boards had to fit their appointed place in God's house. What an important truth is revealed here, and how few realize it! When the resurrected Lord Jesus gave the " great commission," He charged the apostles to "preach the gospel" (Mark 16.15), "to "make disciples ... baptizing them ... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you ... " (Matthew 28.19, 20). Disciples are made; children are born. On the day of Pentecost 8,000 souls (in typical language, trees) were "cut down by the preaching of Peter. But read Acts 2.41, 42 to see what followed in order that they might become as boards, shaped and joined together. We read that (1) they that received His word (2) were baptized, (3) and were added together, (4) and continued steadfastlv in the apostles' teaching, (5) and in the fellowship, (6) and in the breaking of the bread, (7) and in the prayers. This was characteristic of the first church of God of this dispensation. Here are the divine specifications.

There is a surprising number of people who have known the blessed experience of being born again (John 3.3), and they are very zealous in their service for the Saviour. Yet, though saved, they have remained unaware of the precious truth of discipleship. "If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God" (John 7.17). John tells us that the Lord Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John the Baptist (John 4. 1). If a child of God truly desires to follow the pathway of a disciple, then God will surely unfold to him the divine pattern of being built into His house, as set forth in Acts 2.41, 42.

Before the boards of the Tabernacle were joined together they were covered with gold. The acacia wood is a figure of that which is human, while the gold is suggestive of that which is divine, of divine glory, of which the Lord spoke in John 17.22: "The glory which Thou hast given Me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as We are one." Glory given, that unity might be manifested! The boards also had to be the same size, and they were to be standing up (Exodus 26.15, 16). From this we can learn one of the most precious lessons that God is seeking to teach in our day, namely, the standing together of His redeemed ones in divine testimony,

"Gathered into one thing" has ever been the longing of God's heart for those who own His Name. It is the devil who scatters, but it is God who brings together. What divisions exist among Christians! God's purpose in this dispensation has never been more clearly set forth than in the words of Caiaphas, who said,

"it is expedient for you that one Man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not ... he prophesied that Jesus should die ... and not for the nation only, but that He might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad" (John 11. 50-52).

The thought here is the gathering together into one thing - one divine testimony. What a privilege to be a golden board, that has been shaped to fit, found standing up together with other golden boards! How can any Christian be content with anything less?

Lest it be thought that these golden boards of the Tabernacle stood up in the desert sand, it is interesting to observe the will of God as shown in Exodus 26.19, 20. Sockets of silver, each a talent in weight, had to be made, and the two tenons (or hands) on each of the golden boards took hold of the sockets of silver which formed the foundation of God's house, the Tabernacle thus boards and sockets were solidly mortised together. The atonement silver for the sockets came from the half-shekel of atonement money given by the children of Israel after their redemption by blood in Egypt (Exodus 30.12-16). We are confronted here not with the truth of redemption from the penalty of sin, but with redemption from the power of sin in', our lives which encourages disobedience and neglect of God's will. This redemption should be manifest in a practical way in a believer's life whereby he is

"looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good works" (Titus 2.13, 14).

Here again is revealed that precious truth of a people standing together.

Much has been written about the 5 bars, which were also made of acacia wood, and overlaid with gold (verses 26, 27).

God's desire is for His gathered together people to continue steadfastly in the apostles' teaching, in the fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers. What would be the fifth bar? This would be none other than the Holy Spirit Himself, whose great work as Convictor and Comforter, Revealer and Teacher, began at Pentecost when the first church of God was planted, and will continue until the Lord shall come again.

H. Darke, Vancouver, B.C. | Jul 1962
General