We shall continue the study of Exodus, the
second book of the Old Testament.
Note: We have come to the final section of the Book of Exodus in which Moses records the actual carrying out of the commands of the Lord in the building of the Tabernacle through which the Lord would fulfill His promise of His ever-presence. This section may be divided into:
The Reiteration of the Sabbath Law (35:1-3)
The gathering of materials (35:4-29)
The recognition of the artisans (35:30 – 36:7)
The actual construction of the Tabernacle (36:8-38)
The preparation of sacral vestments (39:1-31)
Inspection and Erection of the Tabernacle (40:1-33)
The manifestation of the Lord’s Presence (40:34-37)
(1) In kicking into motion the actual construction of the Tabernacle which signifies God’s Presence, why, of all commandments, was it necessary to first re-emphasize the keeping of the Sabbath?
(2) Why did Moses point out, of all things concerning the Sabbath, the prohibition of lighting fire? (The lighting of fire most likely had to do with cooking.)
(3) Now, Moses set in motion the collection of things needed for the construction of the Tabernacle from this wilderness community. Where do you think these gems and valuables came from?
(4) Did their source make the act of giving necessarily any easier? Why or why not?
(5) “If” the people did give, what might such an act of giving represent?
(6) In the list of crafts and trades listed, can you find a role for yourself (if you were there)?
(7) What might be your "best-fit" today in serving the Lord—whether in your local church or in another Kingdom service for the Lord?
(8) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) How does the Bible describe those who were willing to offer their possessions, and/or their skills to this sacred project?
(2) Would it please the Lord, if one were to give, and yet had not been “moved” within?
(3) What is the reason for your giving today?
(4) Why does the Bible single out the leaders in their giving of “onyx stones and other gems”?
(5) How important is it for the leader to take the lead in giving?
(6) What kind of a picture is being painted in this section? What might be the most appropriate adjective to describe it?
(7) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
Imagine yourself as Bezalel:
(1) How would you feel being chosen to head up this sacred project by God?
(2) How would you deal with the challenge of this “most holy” project?
(3) How would you look upon your many gifts?
(4) How would you carry out your leadership role, especially in the supervision of other artisans (all volunteers)?
(5) What might be most important to you in the fulfillment of this calling?
(6) How would you approach each Sabbath, especially when work might be behind schedule?
(7) What might happen when a particular design is too hard to follow or construct?
(8) How does the Bible describe the giving of the people?
(9) Do you think the people were really unaware of the more-than-enough supplies given for the project?
(10) Why did they still keep giving?
(11) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
These verses of the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its contents are basically the verbatim repetition of the order given in previous chapters (25-30), except for minor variations. Therefore, I would suggest that we review the questions posed in previous chapters (reprinted in italics below, with scriptural reference adapted to the current passages for the next few days; see Ex. 26:1-37), and see if you might gain deeper insights in the details recorded concerning the Tabernacle and its contents:
This is a long chapter that could be rather mundane, but I would suggest that you still read it slowly with the following divisions and highlights as a guide. Perhaps, pay attention to the kind of materials and colors and try to understand their meaning:
Vv. 8-13: The tabernacle is made up of 10 curtains of expensive fabric and yarn of two sets of five curtains each, joined by loops to stretch about 60 feet in length and 42 feet in height. Note that cherubim are embroidered on them.
Vv. 14-19: To protect the expensive curtains, an additional set of curtains and two covers are to be made. The curtains are made of goat skins with hair intact, stretching about 66 feet in length and 45 feet in height, enough to cover the tabernacle proper, including its front and back. In addition to these two layers, another cover of rams’ hide, plus another cover of sea-cows’ hides are to be made, making the tabernacle a tent of four layers.
Vv. 20-34: These curtains are to be held by upright supports anchored in pedestals of silver and bound together by a series of cross-members and two special corner supports.
Vv. 35-36: The tabernacle is to be further divided into a smaller Holy of Holies (of 15’ x 15’ x 15’) where the ark will be located. It is separated from the Holy Place (of dimensions 30’ x 15’ x 15’) by a veil with fine fabric with the cherubim embroidered on it. (See the original instruction in chapter 26.)
Vv. 37-38: The open east end of the tabernacle is to be closed by a screen made of the same materials as the inner curtains and the veil.
(1) Did you notice a gradual change in the type of materials in the design of the tabernacle from more to less precious materials the greater the distance from the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place? Why is it the case?
(2) Apart from the two cherubim on top of the Ark cover, more are to be embroidered on the innermost layer of the curtains. What does this portray?
(3) It is believed that the design of the support system emphasizes its portability, meaning that the tabernacle depicts a Presence on the move. Some commentators think that it points to the temporariness of God’s presence, while some think that it is a sign of His constant presence wherever His people move. Which do you think is the case? Why?
(4) Read vv. 35-36 again about the erection of the veil which is to separate the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. Then read Mark 15:38. Imagine you were the priest who was on duty in the Holy Place witnessing the splitting of the veil. What impact might it have on you and others who rushed in to see what had happened?
(5) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
These 16 verses are basically the repeat of the instruction in 25:10-30, which is now being carried out.
(1) Why does the appearance of the ark have to be in gold?
(2) Why should there be cherubim on top of the cover? Why should they be positioned in such a posture? How much does it reflect the reality of the heavenly worship?
(3) Why is the cover called the Atonement Cover? (See Lev. 16:15-16.)
(4) Contrast the function served by the cherubim at the end of Genesis 3 to their present function. What might be the message that is being conveyed by the ark?
(5) The Israelites have been summoned to Mount Sinai to meet with God and receive the covenant law and they would consider Mount Sinai as the Mountain of God. But with this portable ark, what is God’s message to them and to Moses (see 25:22)?
(6) When we gather our thoughts on all that are being described about the ark, what kind of a throne is being depicted by this ark? What does God expect His people to think of this ark? (See Heb. 4:16)
(7) Presumably, this special bread was placed on the table every Sabbath along with the incense which is burned to the Lord (to represent the bread according to Lev. 24:7). Although the bread from the previous week would be eaten by the priests (and the priests only — see 1 Sam. 21:4-6 and Matt. 12:4), how does the use of the Bread of Presence signify “as a lasting covenant” by the Lord (see Lev. 24:8)?
(8) What does eating normally
represent in the Oriental culture?
So as God accepts the bread (symbolized by the burning of the incense) and the priests eat of the same bread a week later, what does this signify and what is the “lasting covenant” being affirmed by this weekly ritual?
(9) If the 12 loaves of bread symbolize the eternal fellowship of God with His people, such a covenant is still perpetuated within the most holy setting. Note the following:
a. The ritual takes place “in a holy place” as “a most holy part of their regular share of the offerings made to the Lord” (Lev. 24:9).
b. The entire table is made not only of gold, but designed in such a way that any direct human contact or handling is avoided.
How should this balance between the maintenance of holiness and fellowship speak to our communion with God today?
(10) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
These verses are basically a repeat of 25:31-40:
(1) As you read about the design of the lampstand, consider thse questions:
a. What catches your attention or imagination?
b. What questions does it evoke in you?
(2) On a practical level, the Holy Place needs light for the attending priests to serve before the Lord on behalf of the people and the lampstand serves this purpose. But its spiritual implication is also unmistakable. Apart from the symbol for gold, what other symbols can you think of that are represented by this golden lampstand?
(3) While within the Pentateuch, there is no immediate spiritual significance attached to it, God does reveal to Zechariah its spiritual significance (or at least one of its spiritual significances) in Zechariah 4:1-14. What is it?
(4) The Lord Jesus also uses golden lampstands as an analogy in Rev. 1:20. What do those lampstands stand for? How may we, as a result, understand the spiritual function of this golden lampstand within the tabernacle?
(5) Commentators, in general, consider the use of the almond-shape because of “the fact that it is the earliest of all the trees in both its blossom and its fruits” (K&D, 435) (Jer. 1:11-12). If this is the case, what then is the significance of shaping the lampstand after the shape of an almond tree?
(6) Read 25:40 and see if you understand why the Bible chooses to repeat these instructions here when the actual object was made.
(7) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
These verses correspond to the instructions of 30:1-10; 27:1-8 and 30:17-21)
The Altar of Incense (37:25-29; 30:1-10)
Though listed at the end of the instructions in chapter 30, the Altar of Incense is listed simply among the things being made:
(1) Where is it situated? Why does Hebrews 9:4 even consider it as being part of the furnishing within the Holy of Holies?(2) What does the burning of incense symbolize according to Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3, 4?
(3) Why then is such a symbol so
precious to the Lord that the following are done?
a. It is to be burnt regularly every morning and every evening.
b. Only the prescribed incense is to be burnt.
c. No other sacrifice is permitted to be burnt on this altar.
d. It is considered the “most holy” to Him.
(4) How then should we look upon prayer in these areas?
a. Our own prayers
b. Our corporate prayer as a people of God
The Altar (38:1-7; 27:1-8)
This is, perhaps, the most-often used furniture in the tabernacle in that sacrifices would be made daily by the priests on behalf of the people. In actual fact, without the altar, there is no access to the Presence of the Lord at all. And in the process of sacrifice, the blood of the sin-offering is to be smeared upon it (Lev. 4:7). This ritual constantly reminds the people of their sins and their need for atonement through the blood of animals.
(5) As pagan worship often took the form of sacrifice of animals on their altars as well, how should the Israelites distinguish themselves and their worship from the pagans?
(6) Look up Exodus 21:14 and I Kings 1:50-53. Do you get a sense of how the Israelites looked upon the altar?
(7) Upon their return from the exile after the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians, the first thing the Israelites did was to rebuild their altar (Ezra 3:2-6). Why was that?
(8) Ever since A.D. 70, there is basically no prescribed altar to make their sacrifice. What should be the message to the Jews today?
(9) Apart from the need to come before God with the blood of sacrifice, what other meanings does the offering of sacrifice entail?
(10) Now as Christians, we do not need to perform the rites of sacrifice because Jesus, the Lamb of God has made the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice for our sins. How then should we live out the ultimate meaning of worship through sacrifice to God? (See Rom. 12:1-2)
The Basin (38:8; 30:17-21)
(11) What two occasions require the cleaning of the hands and feet of the priest in this instruction?
(12) What does such an instruction reveal and why is the penalty so severe?
(13) What is its implication to us today?
(14) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?