You Can Read the Bible Guided Podcast

Our reading today covers the building of the various components that would form the tabernacle: the Ark of the Covenant, table, lampstand and altar. Since this passage contains no narrative except for a record of the construction, I want to help you visualize what they’re building.

First, a cubit is a unit of measurement that’s about 1 ½ feet long. The tabernacle itself was 30 cubits by 10 cubits, or 45 feet long by 15 feet wide. It housed the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant and Mercy Seat would rest. As this place was filled with the presence of the LORD, only the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to represent the people before God.

In the Holy Place stood the Altar of Incense, Table of Shewbread, and Candlestick, which were to be continually tended by the priests.

Surrounding this tabernacle was a courtyard, measuring 150 feet long by 75 feet wide. The court was bounded on each side by curtains that were 7 ½ feet tall, with an entry point at the east end. This court was the only area that non-priests could enter, and it contained the large Altar and Bronze Washbasin.

The differences between this design and contemporary temples and shrines couldn’t be more striking. First, there is no idol of Yahweh: only an Ark of Remembrance reminds Israel of their covenant with Him. Second, this Ark is mobile, always in the center of the community, wherever that community goes. When it was time to move, the LORD’s glory would lift, and every part would be taken down and transported.

And third, the Ark is surrounded by a shroud, then another. The altar is in the outer court, two stations away. The statement couldn’t be more clear: since the LORD fills the whole earth, He doesn’t need any help seeing the offerings made to Him, nor does He need to partake in them. He requires no dwelling place, but has chosen to dwell. He demands sacrifice, but has no need to be fed. The design of this tabernacle itself is a statement about the nature and character of God.

One last time, our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:24-25: By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Exodus chapters 37 and 38. Now let’s read it!

Our reading today begins with episodes of renewed hope.  First, the LORD calls Moses back up Mount Sinai.  Imagine yourself standing on the mountain as the cloud descends and the voice of the LORD crashes through.  Moses begs the LORD to restore Israel, and the LORD responds with a renewed covenant.

The purpose of this trip is for the LORD to inscribe His law on a new set of tablets.  You’ll remember that Moses had destroyed the first set when he saw Israel worshipping the Golden Calf.  These Tablets of Testimony seem to be the thread through this whole account.  The author relates that God tells Moses to “cut two tablets of stone,” Moses took them with him up the mountain, he wrote on them what the LORD had told him; and then they were in Moses’ hands when he returned.  Obviously, making sure that Israel had a permanent record of His commands was a high priority for the LORD.

Once Moses has reinforced, again, the Sabbath regulations with the Israelites, they get to work on building the tabernacle.  This begins with a record of how joyfully the people responded to the call for donations.

As you read about this outpouring, remember the last night in Egypt, when “The Egyptians were urgent…to send them out of the land…The people of Israel did as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing.  And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked.  Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Once the building materials are in hand, Bezalel and Oholiab oversee the work and teach the others how the craft is to be done.  The building account reveals the same painstaking detail that was employed in relating the instructions.  I’ll remind you, again, that if God stands behind the Bible, and if the Bible goes to such great detail describing the design and construction of His worship space, then there might be something to learn about Him through this.

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:24-25: By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Exodus chapters 34 through 36.  Now let’s read it!

The final instructions regarding the tabernacle and worship have to do with two special men: Bezalel and Oholiab.  The LORD states that He has filled Bezalel “with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge of all craftsmanship,” and to all able men He has given the ability to “make all that I have commanded you.”

The LORD closes all of these instructions with one final reminder: “Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths.”  Pay attention to the special role that the Sabbath plays in remembering what the LORD has done and reminding the people of Israel of who, or whose, they are.

A sharp transition is about to occur, so let’s prepare.  Moses has been on the mountain for some weeks, alone, and listening to the elaborate instructions the LORD has given regarding the tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices.  He’s been reminded often, including at the very end of his talk with the LORD, of the special relationship the LORD has with Israel.  His last memory of the Israelites is when they promised to “obey all that the LORD has said.”

The LORD warns him, however, that not all is well in camp.  The action around the golden calf incident is quick and emotional, so I won’t spoil too much.  See how Moses begs for mercy by calling on the LORD’s reputation and promises.   Picture Joshua coming to Moses as he descends the mountain, trying to figure out what’s going on below.  Watch Moses deal first with the idol, and then with Aaron, who should have been in charge.  Listen for echoes of Adam and Eve as Aaron tries to avoid the blame.

Following this, The LORD commands his people to continue their journey toward Canaan.  Moses is hesitant.  His encounters with the LORD have been at this mountain, so he asks for reassurance that the LORD will go with him.

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:24-25: By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Exodus chapters 31 through 33.  Now let’s read it!

Once the tabernacle and priestly garments have been designed it’s time to ordain the priests themselves.  Chapter 29 follows the same pattern of the other instructions we’ve seen: precise details, woven tightly together with warnings about God’s power and holiness, and the significance of priestly duties.

There’s an important sequence here: Moses, the prophet of the LORD, is in charge of ordaining Aaron, the priest before the LORD.  This charge includes placing the priestly garments on Aaron, followed by a series of sacrifices and rituals that will confirm Aaron and his sons as set apart for the priesthood.

Within this ceremony, pay attention to the significance of blood, of aroma, of fat and of leaven.  Listen to how Aaron and his sons are to identify with the animal being sacrificed.  Notice how the parts of each animal are to be treated, and to the duties the priests are commissioned to perform each day.  Following this are instructions for the construction and function of the altar of incense, basin for foot washing, and utensils.

Mixed in here are instructions for what the LORD calls a “ransom” payment due from each adult.   This collection would be used to fund the tabernacle in perpetuity, but is radically different from the freewill offering asked for to build it.  It’s a sobering reminder of what is required to be the sacred people of a Holy God.

And don’t fail to miss the persistent affirmation of the covenant: “I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God.  And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them.  I am the LORD their God.”

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:24-25: By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Exodus chapters 29 and 30.  Now let’s read it!