Chronological Bible Study – Feb 11
What I Noticed Today (Exodus 36-38)
Exodus 36
Chapter 36 opens with materials for the tabernacle being gathered and the start of construction on the tabernacle.
In verses 1-7, work on the tabernacle begins:
- Moses gathered Bezalel and Oholiab together with all the skilled workmen in whom God had placed wisdom and had been moved to come and work to begin the work.
- The people continued to bring their freewill offerings for the construction of the tabernacle. They brought so much that there was more than enough material gathered, so Moses told them to stop the offering.
In verses 8-38, construction of the tabernacle is described in four sections:
- Verses 8-13 describe the making of the fabric curtains that formed the sides and ceiling of the Tabernacle. (See Exodus 26:1-6)
- Verses 14-19 describe the animal skin curtains. (See Exodus 26:7-14)
- Verses 20-30 describe the wooden frames of the tabernacle structure. (See Exodus 26:26-29)
- Verses 31-38 describe the curtains at the entrance and interior of the Tabernacle. (See Exodus 26:31-37)
Note: The details of the construction recounted here are very similar to the instructions given in Exodus 25-26. The main difference is the order in which the material is prepared. In chapter 36, the tabernacle is built first, then the furnishings in chapter 37. In chapter 25, the furnishings are described first.
Note: Amazingly, the Israelites had plundered from the Egyptians the very materials that God required in the building and furnishing of the tabernacle. What is even more significant to me is that these are people who had just spent 400 years in servitude to Pharaoh, making brick and building buildings. Yet when He needed skilled artisans, God gave the people the gifts they needed to complete the work for which He had called them. All the craftsmen, in whom God had put skill and stirred their hearts (36:2), came forward and began to build everything.
Note: Looking back at chapters 35-36, the word “commanded” is used six times as the people gather the materials required for the construction of the tabernacle.
Exodus 37
Chapter 37 describes the construction of the interior furnishings of the tabernacle.
In verses 1-9, the construction of the Ark of the Testimony is described:
- Bezalel made the Ark of the Testimony and the poles to carry it of acacia wood and overlaid them with pure gold. He made the Mercy Seat of pure gold, along with the two cherubim facing each other attached to the Mercy Seat.
In verses 10-16, the construction of the table and utensils are described:
- Bezalel made the table of acacia wood along with the poles to carry it and overlaid them with pure gold.
- He also made the utensils (plates, cups, pitchers, and bowls) for the table out of pure gold.
In verses 17-24, the construction of the lampstand is described:
- Bezalel made the lampstand of pure hammered gold exactly as Moses had described.
- He also made the seven lamps, snuffers, and firepans of pure gold.
- In all, the lampstand and its utensils were made of 75 pounds of pure gold.
In verses 25-29, the construction of the altar of incense is described:
- Bezalel made the altar of incense and the poles to carry it out of acacia wood and overlaid them with pure gold.
- He also made the holy anointing oil and the incense.
Some additional thoughts for consideration:
- I believe God gifts us with special skills when we become Christians. Skills that He intends for us to use in building His Kingdom. The question is, do we know what our gifts are, and are we using them the way God intended?
- God cares deeply for us, and He has given us instructions for how to live out our lives. Many reject God’s plan, then wonder why life doesn’t turn out the way they had hoped!
Exodus 38-39
Chapters 38-39 record the details of the construction of the altar for burnt offerings, the bronze basin, an account of the materials used in the construction of the tabernacle, and the making of the priestly garments.
Exodus 38
Note: Exodus 38:1-20 and Exodus 27:9-19 are similar. Exodus 27 is God giving the instructions to Moses, while Exodus 38 is the actual construction of the items.
In verses 1-7, the construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering is described:
- Bezalel constructed the Altar of Burnt Offering of acacia wood according to the specifications given by Moses and overlaid it with bronze.
- He also made the utensils of bronze: the shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans.
In verse 8, the construction of the bronze basin is described:
- Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and its stand.
In verses 9-20, the construction of the tabernacle courtyard is described:
- Bezalel made the courtyard: its hanging curtains of linen with their hooks and bases.
In verses 21-31, and accounting of the inventory of materials for the construction of the tabernacle are provided:
- Moses ordered an inventory of all the materials offered for the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings.
- Levites completed the inventory under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron.
- Bezalel and Oholiab directed the construction of everything the Lord commanded.
- 2,193 pounds of gold and 7,544 pounds of silver, and 5,310 pounds of bronze were used in the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings.
Note: Exodus 38:8 mentions that the bronze basin was made from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting. There were no glass mirrors in those days. The mirrors were typically made from polished bronze. I think it is interesting that women were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. There is no other mention of these women and their service, but it strikes me that serving right outside the tent where God met Moses would have been a great honor!
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.