EXPLORE THE TEXT

The Task (Exodus 25:1-7)

Application Point:

God desires His people to contribute to His worship and purposes through the giving of offerings.

1 The Lord spoke to Moses:
2 “Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me.
You are to take my offering from everyone who is willing to give.
3 This is the offering you are to receive from them:
gold, silver, and bronze;

4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
5 ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood;
6 oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;
7 and onyx along with other gemstones for mounting on the ephod and breastpiece.”

Key Phrase

The Lord spoke to Moses

Based on the seven uses of this statement in the larger context of 25:1-31:17, scholars often divide the section into these seven speeches:

• 25:1-30:10
  temple artifacts
• 30:11-16
  paying the Temple atonement shackle
• 30:17-21
  Priest handwashing
• 30:22-33
  anointing oil used for temple artifacts and priests
• 30:34-38
  incense for worship
• 31:1-11
  skilled craftsman called to manufacture temple artifacts
• 31:12-17
  the Sabbath as a perpetual covenant with God

The frequent use of the phrase reinforces God’s authority as Creator of all and Lord over Israel.
It also reminds readers of the unique and crucial role played by Moses in this passage.

Examine:

God gave these directions to Moses.

2) Offering:

The word also can be translated “contribution.”

God had blessed Israel with all the resources they would need for their journey.
Now He asked for anyone moved by gratitude to bring some of their possessions to be used in building the tabernacle (35:21-29).

3-6) Gold, silver, and bronze . . . fine linen:

describe a beautiful, rich setting fit for a king (see Esth. 1:6; 8:15; Ezek. 27-28).
The vibrant richness of the tabernacle-and later the temple-spoke of the Lord’s glorious beauty.

7) Ephod and breastpiece:

These were part of the high priest’s official wardrobe as he served in the tabernacle.

God required a willing heart.

Ask:

• How does our giving reflect what we believe about God? (PSG, p. 85) Emphasize giving as a form of worship based on our gratitude to God for who He is and what He does.

Identify:

find items in the tabernacle that would be made from the offerings.

Ask:

• How does our giving connect us to God’s kingdom purposes? (PSG, p. 85)