Exodus 38:6

And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.

Exodus 38:6 (KJV)

Context

Exodus records how the Israelites, freed from slavery in Egypt, journeyed through the wilderness under Moses. This verse belongs to the detailed account of building the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where the people worshiped God during their travels. The tabernacle was not built according to human ideas but according to the pattern God revealed, and every part was made with precision.

In Exodus 27:6, God first commanded Moses to make staves for the altar of burnt offering from shittim wood overlaid with brass. Exodus 38:6 records that the workers did exactly as God had said. This shows careful obedience to the divine pattern.

Meaning

Staves were long poles used to carry the altar and other sacred items. Rings were attached to the altar, and the staves were slipped through them so that the altar could be lifted and moved whenever the camp traveled. The altar of burnt offering stood in the courtyard of the tabernacle, and it was central to the sacrificial system.

Shittim wood, also known as acacia wood, was a durable desert wood. It resisted decay and insects, making it ideal for a structure that moved often. The same wood was used for the ark, the table of showbread, and other furnishings, but those inside the Holy Place were overlaid with gold. The altar of burnt offering, however, was covered with brass, or bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze was strong and could withstand fire and weather.

The choice of materials was not random. Acacia wood speaks of endurance and incorruptibility. Bronze speaks of judgment and strength. The altar was where sacrifices were burned, and the bronze overlay reminded the people that God is holy and that sin must be dealt with. Yet the wood beneath the bronze also reminds us that God provides a way of approach.

Biblical connections

The staves for the altar parallel the poles for the ark of the covenant. The ark’s poles were overlaid with gold, because the ark stood in the Most Holy Place and represented God’s throne. The altar’s poles were overlaid with bronze, because the altar stood in the open courtyard and was the place of judgment for sin. Both sets of poles show that even the means of carrying these sacred objects were consecrated to God.

The altar of burnt offering pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the altar was central to the old sacrificial system, the cross is central to our salvation. The bronze that endured the fire of sacrifice reminds us that Christ bore the full judgment of sin on our behalf. The staves, made of wood and overlaid with bronze, were not merely practical tools; they were part of the worship of God, and their construction followed His specific command.

Application

God gave specific instructions for every part of the tabernacle, including the staves. This teaches us that He cares about details in our worship and our daily lives. We should serve Him with care and faithfulness, not with carelessness. The same God who designed the tabernacle is concerned with the small and large aspects of our lives.

The portability of the tabernacle reminds us that worship is not limited to a building. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and we can worship God anywhere. We are called to carry His presence with us wherever we go. The staves were used to move the altar, which was the place of sacrifice. In the same way, we are to carry the message of the gospel into the world. The altar was not meant to stay in one place; it traveled with the people. Our faith is not meant to be static. We are to bear the good news of Christ’s atoning work to others.

Reflection

The materials of the staves—wood and bronze—teach us about the balance of strength and humility. The wood was common and sturdy, reminding us of Christ’s humanity. The bronze was strong and enduring, reminding us of His judgment and strength. As believers, we are called to be both humble and strong, relying on God’s power rather than our own.

Every detail of the tabernacle had purpose. The staves were not decorative; they were essential for moving the altar. In our lives, even the ordinary tasks can be dedicated to God. Carrying a pole may seem small, but it was part of the worship of the Lord. We can serve God in the mundane moments, knowing that He sees and values our obedience.

Let us approach God with reverence, knowing that He is both merciful and just. The altar reminds us of the cost of sin and the gift of atonement. We can live in gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ, and we can carry His presence with us each day.