Constructing the Tabernacle

REVIEW

In Exodus, Moses followed God’s instructions for building the tabernacle. Bezalel and Oholiab and the skilled craftsmen began construction of the tabernacle, and that continued in Exodus 37.

Exodus 37 described the furnishings made for inside the tabernacle. The ark was made of acacia wood (vv. 1–5). The mercy seat was made of pure gold (vv. 6–9). The table of showbread was made from acacia wood, and the utensils placed on it were made of pure gold (vv. 10–16). The lampstand was made in one piece from pure hammered gold (vv. 17–24). The altar of incense was made from acacia wood overlaid with horns of pure gold (vv. 25–28). Bezalel also made the holy anointing oil and expertly blended incense (v. 29). They made all these components so the Israelites could experience the presence of the Lord.

TEACHING

Exodus 38:1: Bezalel, whose name meant “in the shadow of God”, constructed the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood to the exact dimensions God described. Compare these verses to God’s instructions given to Moses in Exodus 27:1–8, to see that Bezalel’s work was precisely obedient to God’s plan. Bezalel was tangibly walking out his calling. It’s rewarding to see your work come to fruition in God’s design. Moses’ obedience led to Bezalel’s obedience, which led to the people experiencing the presence of God. Moses never shortchanged God’s directions.

Exodus 38:2: Bezalel then made horns for the four corners of the altar and overlaid it with bronze. Bezalel built this altar so the Israelites could bring their offerings to the Lord. All their sacrifices pointed to the Messiah. Multiple things took place here on the altar of burnt offering.¹

1. Whole burnt offerings: every morning and evening the people made a sacrifice of atonement (Leviticus 1).
2. Fellowship offerings: the fat parts were offered to God and the rest of the animal was eaten (Leviticus 3).
3. Sin offerings: sacrifices for purification and to atone for certain sins (Leviticus 4).
4. Guilt offerings: sacrifices for inadvertent offenses (Leviticus 5).
5. Day of Atonement: the high priest offered sacrifices for his sin and then the people’s sins (Leviticus 16).

Exodus 38:3–7: Bezalel followed God’s instructions for making the utensils that would be used at the altar of burnt offering. The utensils were made from bronze. The poles used to carry the altar were made from acacia wood overlaid with bronze. Remember, acacia wood is very straight, doesn’t warp, and is moisture resistant.

Exodus 38:8: Bezalel made the bronze basin (also called brazen laver) from the bronze mirrors gathered from the women who served at the tent of meeting. As slaves in Egypt, the likelihood of the Israelites owning their own mirrors was not good. But when they plundered the Egyptians, they were probably given these bronze mirrors. And now, the Israelite women gave those mirrors as an offering to be used for the tabernacle. Exodus 30:17–20 gave instructions for building and using the basin. It was positioned between the tent of meeting and the altar.

The priests washed their hands and feet in the water in this basin so they wouldn’t die when they entered God’s presence. This was essential in order to experience the presence of God! This brings to mind the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–4). God saw the heart of the women who gave up their mirrors so the priests wouldn’t die when they did their jobs. The women gave up their mirrors; the skilled craftsmen built the basin; so the priests could make atonement for the people. They all did their part.

The priests needed to be cleansed before approaching the Lord. Philip Ryken drew this parallel. When they received atonement from the offerings on the altar, it was like Passover. When they washed in the basin, that was like the Red Sea moment.²The New Testament also points out the importance of washing before God. In Ephesians 5:25b–26, Paul pointed out that Jesus cleanses the church “with the washing of water by the word.” In Titus 3:5, Paul said Godsaves us “through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” In John 13:8, Jesus told Peter, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with Me.” God chose to deliver His people through the tabernacle, and it all pointed to Jesus.

Exodus 38:9–17: Bezalel continued to follow God’s specific instructions as he led the work to create the furnishings for the courtyard according to every detail.

Exodus 38:18–20: These verses describe the screen that covered the gate of the courtyard. There was only one entrance to experience the presence of God. Every time I go out to share the gospel, someone always says, “There are multiple ways to God!” But there is only one way to God! I believe the tabernacle and the one entrance through the screen is a type of Christ, foreshadowing that He is the only way to God. There was no back door. Jesus emphasized this truth during His ministry..

In John 14:6, Jesus told Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” In the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 7:13–14, Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” And in John 10:9, Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.”

None of the tabernacle is in existence today. The tabernacle led to the temple, and that’s no longer in existence either. If people have no way to offer their sacrifices, there has to be another way––and Jesus said, “I’m the door now. I am the narrow gate.”

Exodus 38:21–23: Under the direction of Ithamar, son of Aaron, the Levites maintained an inventory of the materials used to build the tabernacle and all of its furnishings. Bezalel and Oholiab had led the skilled craftsmen in the construction. It was done! The tabernacle had been built! Multiple people, out of their obedience to God, opened the doors for us to experience the presence of God.

Exodus 38:24–28: Moses recorded that a little more than one ton of gold and well over three tons of silver were used for the project. Each of the 603,550 men gave two-fifths of an ounce of silver. (When a census of Israel was taken in Numbers 1, the number of men who contributed silver for the tabernacle matched the number of men registered in the census.) The bronze used in construction totaled 5,310 pounds (over 2 tons).

CLOSING

An incredible amount of money and resources came from everyday people because they believed that God was in this. The skilled workers came together, and they built the tabernacle, a dwelling place where people began to meet with God. And it all started with Moses hanging out on a mountain hearing from the Lord.