The word "shittim" translated correctly by Young is a type of Acacia tree, the wood of which is known for its durability.

The ark in the Holiest of Holies was made of this wood and in it was placed the ten commandments, the law of God. The ark represents our hearts and God says there will be a time when He will write His law in our hearts.

In chapter 27, God gives His instructions for the altar, where the burnt sacrifices will be offered to God, also to be made of shittim wood. The altar of our lives where we give ourselves as a living sacrifice to the service of God, sacrifice which is obedience to His will and His laws.

The outer court is our bodies which are visible in the world with the symbolic meaning of the hangings, pillars, pegs and sockets, the astonishing physical structure of our bodies, visible to the world and fearfully and wonderfully made.

The children of Israel are to be commanded by Moses to bring pure beaten olive oil for the light to cause the lamp to go up continually, in the tent of meeting, at the outside of the veil,

It is to be tended by Aaron and his sons, from evening to morning.

This oil in the lamp is the light we need to make good decisions in life, to train our intellect to gain wisdom, to see the path we should walk on: for God's word is a light to our path and a lamp to our feet.

In the day we see by the light of the sun, but in the night we need the light of God's Spirit to illumine our way. There will be times when we cannot see clearly what to do: we are surrounded in confusion and darkness and difficulty. But God says that we must keep the light burning continually so that even in the darkness we are not lost.

Aaron and his sons are to have holy garments made: for honour and for beauty. We are called to bring honour to God and to be beautiful before him. As priests we should carry on our shoulders the names of the families we are part of, to remember them before God and on our hearts to bear the judgement of the sons of Israel before Jehovah continually. Our prayers for our families that God might bless and keep them, turn His face towards them and be gracious to them, to lift up His countenance upon them and grant them His peace. Our prayers for any sin or wrong doing that we may know of or not know of, we carry on our hearts and in prayer to God to be merciful to me a sinner and to those I pray for, in your justice remember mercy, Lord.

And as priests we are to wear on our foreheads Holy to Jehovah that even the holy gifts we give to God, which are set apart for him, require us to remember before God that everything in heaven and earth is yours and of your own do we give you. May there be no pride or pomposity or showing off, as the Pharisees did who love to be seen, when we offer our gifts to God.

"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they will reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10)

"Ye yourselves, as living stones, are built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to bring up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)

"...you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of HIm who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (I Peter 2:9)

"You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:6)

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