What I Noticed Today (Exodus 35-37)
Exodus 35-39
These five chapters describe the construction of the tabernacle in great detail.
Exodus 35
Chapter 35 opens with Moses giving the people the instructions for the Sabbath again, then continues with instructions regarding the building of the tabernacle.
In verses 1-3, Moses reminds the Israelites of the need to observe the Sabbath:
- Moses assembled the entire Israelites community and reminded them the Lord said they were allowed to work six days but must rest on the seventh. They were not even to light a fire (for cooking food) in their homes on the Sabbath.
- Anyone who does work on the Sabbath must be executed.
Note: This reminder was likely given for two reasons: the people had a tendency to disobey God’s instructions, and they might be tempted to work through the Sabbath to complete the Tabernacle.
In verses 4-29, Moses gives instructions regarding the gathering of materials for the construction of the tabernacle:
- Moses instructed the Israelites to take up an offering for materials to be used in the construction of the tabernacle (vv. 1-4).
- Moses then called for skilled workers to come and prepare to make the furnishings, utensils, and garments needed for the tabernacle (vv. 10-19).
- Then the Israelites left Moses and everyone whose heart was moved offered materials and services needed for the construction of the tabernacle (vv. 20-29).
In verses 30-35, Moses appoints Bezalel and Oholiab as skilled workers to teach others:
- Moses told the Israelites the Lord had appointed Bezalel and Oholiab, whom He had filled with God’s spirit and wisdom with skills to work in all kinds of crafts. They also had been given the ability to teach others.
Note: This passage is very similar to Exodus 31:1-11. In addition to skill, God had gifted them with the ability to teach others.
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, these people 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 craftsmen 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 our lives. Many reject God’s plan, then wonder why life doesn’t turn out the way they had hoped!
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
