January 24, 2025
Big Book Idea
God redeems His people, sets them apart, and reveals Himself.
And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD.
1 The LORD said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain. 3 No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain.” 4 So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone. 5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, 1 34:7 Or to the thousandth generation forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” 8 And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. 9 And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”
10 And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
11 Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 12 Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. 13 You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim 14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), 15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, 16 and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.
17 You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal.
18 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib, for in the month Abib you came out from Egypt. 19 All that open the womb are mine, all your male 2 34:19 Septuagint, Theodotion, Vulgate, Targum; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep. 20 The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed.
21 Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. 22 You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end. 23 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel. 24 For I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders; no one shall covet your land, when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.
25 You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover remain until the morning. 26 The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.”
27 And the LORD said to Moses, “Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. 3 34:28 Hebrew the ten words
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 4 34:29 Hebrew him 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the LORD had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.
34 Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, 35 the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
1 Moses assembled all the congregation of the people of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do. 2 Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.”
4 Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the LORD has commanded. 5 Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD's contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats' hair, 7 tanned rams' skins, and goatskins; 5 35:7 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain; also verse 23; compare 25:5 acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 9 and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.
10 Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded: 11 the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; 12 the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; 13 the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; 14 the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense, with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, the basin and its stand; 17 the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court, and their cords; 19 the finely worked garments for ministering 6 35:19 Or garments for worship; see 31:10 in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests.”
20 Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. 23 And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. 24 Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. 25 And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. 26 All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair. 27 And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, 28 and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. 29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.
30 Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, 32 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, 33 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. 34 And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.
1 Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”
2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, 5 and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.
8 And all the craftsmen among the workmen made the tabernacle with ten curtains. They were made of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns, with cherubim skillfully worked. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, 7 36:9 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains were the same size.
10 He 8 36:10 Probably Bezalel (compare 35:30; 37:1) coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain of the first set. Likewise he made them on the edge of the outermost curtain of the second set. 12 He made fifty loops on the one curtain, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set. The loops were opposite one another. 13 And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one to the other with clasps. So the tabernacle was a single whole.
14 He also made curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle. He made eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains were the same size. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 And he made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain of the one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the other connecting curtain. 18 And he made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together that it might be a single whole. 19 And he made for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and goatskins.
20 Then he made the upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. 22 Each frame had two tenons for fitting together. He did this for all the frames of the tabernacle. 23 The frames for the tabernacle he made thus: twenty frames for the south side. 24 And he made forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty frames 26 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame and two bases under the next frame. 27 For the rear of the tabernacle westward he made six frames. 28 He made two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear. 29 And they were separate beneath but joined at the top, at the first ring. He made two of them this way for the two corners. 30 There were eight frames with their bases of silver: sixteen bases, under every frame two bases.
31 He made bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 33 And he made the middle bar to run from end to end halfway up the frames. 34 And he overlaid the frames with gold, and made their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.
35 He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it. 36 And for it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold, and he cast for them four bases of silver. 37 He also made a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework, 38 and its five pillars with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals, and their fillets were of gold, but their five bases were of bronze.
1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Two cubits 9 37:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters and a half was its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it. 3 And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. 4 And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold 5 and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. 6 And he made a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half was its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. 7 And he made two cherubim of gold. He made them of hammered work on the two ends of the mercy seat, 8 one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat he made the cherubim on its two ends. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the cherubim.
10 He also made the table of acacia wood. Two cubits was its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold around it. 12 And he made a rim around it a handbreadth 10 37:12 A handbreadth was about 3 inches or 7.5 centimeters wide, and made a molding of gold around the rim. 13 He cast for it four rings of gold and fastened the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 14 Close to the frame were the rings, as holders for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood to carry the table, and overlaid them with gold. 16 And he made the vessels of pure gold that were to be on the table, its plates and dishes for incense, and its bowls and flagons with which to pour drink offerings.
17 He also made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered work. Its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers were of one piece with it. 18 And there were six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; 19 three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand itself were four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, 21 and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out of it. 22 Their calyxes and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole of it was a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. 23 And he made its seven lamps and its tongs and its trays of pure gold. 24 He made it and all its utensils out of a talent 11 37:24 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms of pure gold.
25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit, and its breadth was a cubit. It was square, and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 He overlaid it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And he made a molding of gold around it, 27 and made two rings of gold on it under its molding, on two opposite sides of it, as holders for the poles with which to carry it. 28 And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
29 He made the holy anointing oil also, and the pure fragrant incense, blended as by the perfumer.
Exodus (meaning exit) is best understood to have been written primarily by Moses, like the rest of the Pentateuch, though some details (such as the narrative of his death in Deuteronomy 34) were clearly added at a later time. It also appears that some language and references were updated for later readers. There is no consensus among scholars as to the date when the events of the exodus took place. A common view is that the exodus occurred in c. 1446 B.C. This is based on the calculation of 480 years from Israel’s departure from Egypt to the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (c. 966 B.C.; see 1 Kings 6:1). However, because Exodus 1:11 depicts Israel working on a city called Raamses, some scholars believe that this would suggest that the exodus occurred during the reign of Raamses II in Egypt (c. 1279–1213 B.C.), possibly around 1260 B.C. (see note on 1 Kings 6:1).
The overarching theme of Exodus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs. The success of the exodus must be credited to the power and purpose of God, who remembers his promises, punishes sin, and forgives the repentant. The book highlights Moses’ faithfulness and prayerfulness.
The Jewish year was based on the annual rotation of the sun, moon, and stars, and on the cycle for planting and harvesting crops. The OT refers to days, months, years, and seasons, but no passages specify a complete calendar.
As numerous as the stars. As the book of Exodus begins, some 350 years have passed since the end of Genesis. The 70 Israelites who went to Egypt have grown into a great multitude. This fulfills God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants and to make them a blessing to all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:5).
On eagles’ wings. The kind of eagle that the author of Exodus probably had in mind had a wingspan of 8 to 10 feet (2–3 m), making it a fitting symbol of the Lord’s ability to rescue his people from their life of slavery in Egypt.
Israel has witnessed some incredible events, such as the 10 plagues and the parting of the Sea. Now, at the end of Exodus, God’s glory fills the tabernacle and he will lead them to the Promised Land.
Acacia wood was highly valued for its beauty and durability. Around the Mediterranean, some acacias are like shrubs, while others grow up to 50 feet (15 m) tall. They are one of the few large trees hardy enough to withstand the harsh desert climate. They are also resistant to insects, which find the taste of the wood unpleasant.
Every piece of furniture in the tabernacle was crafted according to God’s plan. Each item represented something about God’s character: his sovereignty, his generosity, his presence with his people. They were reminders of how God met their needs and forgave their sins.
Generous givers. When Hezekiah asked the people to contribute financially to his temple restoration project, they gave generously (31:5). Their response recalls the time of the tabernacle’s construction. The people gave so freely that Moses actually asked them to stop giving (Ex. 36:3–7).
Wonders can also be translated “marvels.” The word is often used to describe God’s works of rescuing his people and protecting and caring for them (9:1; 78:11; 98:1; Ex. 3:20; 34:10). In Ps. 136:4, it describes creation, showing that God’s work as Creator should fill us with awe and wonder.
The book of Exodus finishes with Moses and Israel having constructed and assembled the tabernacle at the base of Mount Sinai. The book of Leviticus primarily records the instructions the Lord gives to Moses from the tent of meeting, but also includes narratives of a few events related to the tabernacle. (Regarding the date of the exodus, see Introduction to Exodus, and note on 1 Kings 6:1.)
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Exodus tells about the plagues God brings about as he frees his people from Egypt. The plagues affect areas of life supposedly protected by Egypt’s gods. Thus, they show God’s power over the gods of the world’s mightiest nation.
Type of Plague | Reference | Warning? | Time of Warning | Instruction | Agent | Staff? | Pharaoh promises to let people go? | Pharaoh’s heart hardened? | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Cycle | 1. Nile to blood | 7:14–25 | Yes | In the morning | Go to Pharaoh; Stand | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes |
2. Frogs from the Nile | 8:1–15 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Aaron | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
3. Dust to gnats | 8:16–19 | — | — | — | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes | |
2nd Cycle | 4. Flies | 8:20–32 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself to Pharaoh | God | — | Yes | Yes |
5. Egyptian livestock die | 9:1–7 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | God | — | — | Yes | |
6. Boils | 9:8–12 | — | — | — | Moses | — | — | Yes | |
3rd Cycle | 7. Hail | 9:13–35 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself before Pharaoh | Moses | — | Yes | Yes |
8. Locusts | 10:1–20 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
9. Darkness | 10:21–29 | — | — | — | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
10. Death of firstborn | 11:1–10; 12:29–32 | Yes | — | — | God | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ex. 18:1 | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Num. 10:29 |
Ex. 15:22 | Three-day journey to Sinai | Three-day journey from Sinai | Num. 10:33 |
Ex. 15:22–26 | Complaint about water | Unspecified complaint | Num. 11:1–3 |
Exodus 16 | Manna and quail | Manna and quail | Num. 11:4–15, 31–35 |
Exodus 18 | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Num. 11:16–30 |
Ex. 15:20–21 | Miriam’s song of praise | Miriam and Aaron rebel | Numbers 12 |
Ex. 17:8–16 | Israel defeats Amalek | Israel defeated by Amalek | Num. 14:39–45 |
Ex. 17:1–7 | Water from rock | Water from rock | Num. 20:1–13 |
Ex. 32:6 | People sacrifice to other gods | People sacrifice to other gods | Num. 25:2 |
Ex. 32:27 | Killing of apostates demanded | Killing of apostates demanded | Num. 25:5 |
Ex. 32:28–29 | Levites’ status enhanced | Levites’ (Phinehas’s) status enhanced | Num. 25:6–13 |
Ex. 32:35 | Plague on the people | Plague on the people | Num. 25:9 |
Ex. 34:6–7 The Lord’s proclamation of his name and description of his character is a key OT passage (compare Neh. 9:17, 31; Ps. 86:15; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). God is merciful and gracious (see Ex. 33:19). His steadfast love and forgiveness extends to thousands (probably of generations; see Deut. 7:9; and note on Ex. 20:5–6). On visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, see notes on 20:5–6 and Deut. 5:9–10.
Wonders can also be translated “marvels.” The word is often used to describe God’s works of rescuing his people and protecting and caring for them (9:1; 78:11; 98:1; Ex. 3:20; 34:10). In Ps. 136:4, it describes creation, showing that God’s work as Creator should fill us with awe and wonder.
Ex. 34:11–16 These instructions about the inhabitants of the land reinforce the command in 23:23–33.
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
The Jewish year was based on the annual rotation of the sun, moon, and stars, and on the cycle for planting and harvesting crops. The OT refers to days, months, years, and seasons, but no passages specify a complete calendar.
32:1–34:35 Covenant Breach, Intercession, and Renewal. This section illustrates Israel’s need for sanctification from the Lord.
Ex. 35:10 Moses called for material contributions for the tabernacle (vv. 5–9) and also for every skillful craftsman (see vv. 25–26; 36:1).
Ex. 35:5–19 The lists of the materials needed (vv. 5–9; see 25:3–7) and the objects to be built (35:10–19) assume that the people already know the basic plan for the tabernacle (see 34:32).
Ex. 35:20–29 The abundance of materials given for the tabernacle showed the people’s willingness of heart (vv. 21–22, 26, 29).
Ex. 35:30–36:1 Just as the Lord enabled his people to contribute the materials needed for the sanctuary (see 25:1–9), he gave some of them the skills to build it.
Ex. 36:2–7 The people responded so generously that they had to be restrained from bringing any more.
Generous givers. When Hezekiah asked the people to contribute financially to his temple restoration project, they gave generously (31:5). Their response recalls the time of the tabernacle’s construction. The people gave so freely that Moses actually asked them to stop giving (Ex. 36:3–7).
Acacia wood was highly valued for its beauty and durability. Around the Mediterranean, some acacias are like shrubs, while others grow up to 50 feet (15 m) tall. They are one of the few large trees hardy enough to withstand the harsh desert climate. They are also resistant to insects, which find the taste of the wood unpleasant.
Every piece of furniture in the tabernacle was crafted according to God’s plan. Each item represented something about God’s character: his sovereignty, his generosity, his presence with his people. They were reminders of how God met their needs and forgave their sins.
Ex. 37:1–9 When the tabernacle is finally assembled (see 25:16; 40:20), the ark (see 25:10–20) will become known as “the ark of the testimony,” because Moses will place in it the tablets of the Ten Commandments, also called the “testimony.” See illustration of the ark.
The ark of the covenant (Ex. 25:10–22; 37:1–9) was the only piece of furniture in the Most Holy Place; the ark and its contents were kept hidden from view at all times. The ark itself was a wooden chest, overlaid with pure gold, measuring 3.75 feet long, 2.25 feet wide, and 2.25 feet high (1.1 m x 0.7 m x 0.7 m). It contained within it the two stone tablets of the Testimony (the Ten Commandments). The author of Hebrews adds that it also contained “a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded” (Heb. 9:4). The ark was not to be touched by human hands. Two wooden poles, overlaid with gold, were used to transport it and were not to be removed from the ark. The mercy seat, or atonement cover, was a solid golden slab that fitted perfectly on top of the ark. The golden cherubim, which were hammered out of the same piece of gold, had wings outstretched over the mercy seat and faces that looked downward (in reverent awe). It was here, from between the cherubim, that God spoke to Moses, the representative of the people of Israel. Ancient iconography often depicts cherubim as having a lion-like body, wings, and a human face.
The ark of the covenant (Ex. 25:10–22; 37:1–9) was the only piece of furniture in the Most Holy Place; the ark and its contents were kept hidden from view at all times. The ark itself was a wooden chest, overlaid with pure gold, measuring 3.75 feet long, 2.25 feet wide, and 2.25 feet high (1.1 m x 0.7 m x 0.7 m). It contained within it the two stone tablets of the Testimony (the Ten Commandments). The author of Hebrews adds that it also contained “a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded” (Heb. 9:4). The ark was not to be touched by human hands. Two wooden poles, overlaid with gold, were used to transport it and were not to be removed from the ark. The mercy seat, or atonement cover, was a solid golden slab that fitted perfectly on top of the ark. The golden cherubim, which were hammered out of the same piece of gold, had wings outstretched over the mercy seat and faces that looked downward (in reverent awe). It was here, from between the cherubim, that God spoke to Moses, the representative of the people of Israel. Ancient iconography often depicts cherubim as having a lion-like body, wings, and a human face.
Ex. 37:10–16 The table is now constructed, but the bread of the Presence (see 25:23–29) will be placed on it only when the tabernacle is finally assembled (see 40:23). See illustration of the table.
The wooden table, overlaid with pure gold (Ex. 25:23–30; 37:10–16), was 3 feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and 2.25 feet high (1 m x 0.5 m x 0.7 m). It held the 12 loaves (Lev. 24:5–9) of the bread of the Presence, which were holy (1 Sam. 21:4). Wooden poles, overlaid with gold, were inserted through the rings of the table when the table was transported.
The wooden table, overlaid with pure gold (Ex. 25:23–30; 37:10–16), was 3 feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and 2.25 feet high (1 m x 0.5 m x 0.7 m). It held the 12 loaves (Lev. 24:5–9) of the bread of the Presence, which were holy (1 Sam. 21:4). Wooden poles, overlaid with gold, were inserted through the rings of the table when the table was transported.
Ex. 37:17–24 lampstand of pure gold. See 25:31–39; and illustration.
The golden lampstand (Ex. 25:31–40) was made of pure gold, hammered out of one solid piece. Resting on a base, the central stem had six branches, three on either side, together carrying seven lamps. The lampstand with its branches was modeled on a flowering almond tree. Although the Bible text does not specify the size of the lampstand, the text indicates that the lampstand (and the utensels) were made out of pure gold, weighing one talent (about 75 lb. or 34 kg). The lampstand may have been 5 or 6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) tall.
The wooden altar, overlaid with pure gold (Ex. 30:1–10; 37:25–28), was 3 feet high, 1.5 feet long, and 1.5 feet wide (1 m x 0.5 m x 0.5 m). It stood in the Holy Place before the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. It was transported by means of wooden poles which were overlaid with gold and inserted through rings attached to the sides of the altar.
Ex. 37:1–29 The pieces described in this chapter will be inside the tabernacle. The ark (vv. 1–9) is the only piece in the Most Holy Place (26:34), which is separated by a veil from the table (37:10–16), the lampstand (vv. 17–24), and the altar of incense (vv. 25–29) in the Holy Place (see 26:33–34; 40:3–5, 21–27).
Ex. 37:25–29 altar of incense. See 30:1–5; and illustration. anointing oil, incense. See note on 30:22–38.
The golden lampstand (Ex. 25:31–40) was made of pure gold, hammered out of one solid piece. Resting on a base, the central stem had six branches, three on either side, together carrying seven lamps. The lampstand with its branches was modeled on a flowering almond tree. Although the Bible text does not specify the size of the lampstand, the text indicates that the lampstand (and the utensels) were made out of pure gold, weighing one talent (about 75 lb. or 34 kg). The lampstand may have been 5 or 6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) tall.
If you are like me, it can be easy to get lost in the extravagant details of the tabernacle's construction, such that you miss the beauty of what God is doing in the hearts of His people.
To summarize: In Exodus 34, Moses had just received a glimpse of the glory of God at Mount Sinai, and God told Moses that He would make a new covenant for His people. Moses has now gathered the people of Israel to tell them all that the Lord has commanded of them. But before Moses gives the people of Israel the instructions regarding building the tabernacle, Moses tells them of God's command to rest on the seventh day, known as the Sabbath. Then, in the remainder of Exodus 35, Moses gives them detailed instructions on building the tabernacle (i.e., "the tent of meeting").
What do the people of Israel do with this information? "[T]hey came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting . . . ." (Exodus 35:21) The people of Israel did not contribute to the tent of meeting because they were forced to, but rather because they wanted to.
It could be challenging to see how this story relates to us in the present day, as we do not need to build a tent of meeting to commune with God—we have access to talk with God whenever and wherever we want. While we have not been commanded to build a tabernacle, God has called us to use our time, treasures, and talent for His glory (1 Peter 4:10–11), and God calls us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20).
How do we, like the people of Israel, do all that God commands with a willing heart? How do we live out 2 Corinthians 9:7, which states, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."? We remind ourselves of the glory of God and all that He has done for us in Christ.
This month's memory verse
"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'"
1. Do you serve the Lord because you feel like you have to or because you get to?
2. How do you use your time, treasures, and talents for God's glory and to make disciples of all nations?
3. How can you remind yourself and your community of God's glory? (Hint: Remind yourself and others of the gospel.)