Session 9
Exodus 25:1-9; 31:1-6
Memory Verse: Exodus 25:8
Children want to know where God is. Honestly, adults have trouble answering that question too. He is bigger than everything, yet the Bible usually speaks of God dwelling, acting, and speaking with humanity in a single location because of our limitations to time and space. I can be here now and somewhere else later, but God is always in both places. Eventually God became a baby in a manger, a sacrifice on a cross, and a victor over the grave. Ultimately, though, He did not come simply to dwell with us, but to prepare us to dwell with Him.
That’s the message of the tabernacle, and it still resonates today. As you dig into this session, spend time thanking God for coming to dwell among His people-and for preparing you to dwell with Him some day. Pray for adults in your Bible study who might not know God yet. Ask Him to move their hearts so they can dwell with Him in eternity as well.
“Why am I having to learn this stuff? I’ll never use it in real life!” Every parent (and teacher) has heard that protest. Learning something you’ll “never use in real life” can expand your mind into new areas of thinking or lead to new experiences you would have never otherwise considered. Many people have stumbled into life-long careers because they learned “something I’ll never use.” Sometimes, we find that we were able to use that information after all. (PSG, p. 82)
As described in the previous session, Exodus 24:1-11 recounts the ratification ceremony that formalized God’s covenant with Israel. The incarnation had not yet occurred, when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Neither had God’s judgment fallen on His Son so that the sanctuary curtain was torn and God’s people given the chance to approach Him directly (Matt. 27:51). Only Israel’s official representatives, especially Moses, could travel up the mountain to meet with God.
Nevertheless, what was happening at Sinai was a giant leap forward in God’s redemptive plan. First, Moses came down and recited all God’s instructions to the people (Ex. 20:1-23:19). For a second time, the people promised to obey God’s commands fully (24:3; see also 19:8). Then Moses wrote the instructions in “the covenant scroll.”
The next event foreshadowed the climax of God’s redemptive plan. Moses took Israel’s official representatives up the mountain. God protected them during the experience, but Moses made it clear that they did experience the presence of God in that place. In fact, God hosted them to a meal (24:9-11).
The statement that they “saw God” (v. 10) must be interpreted carefully in the context of Scripture. In Exodus 33:18-23, Moses asked to see God’s glory. God allowed him to see only His passing presence because a face-to-face encounter would kill Moses. In the New Testament, John affirmed that no human has ever seen God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12), though Jesus revealed what the Father is like through His life on earth. John later wrote that when we do see Him, we will be like Him and see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).
Although personal and limited encounters with God did occur before Christ, humans cannot gaze on the essence and totality of God in His glory-at least for now. When Jesus returns, our encounter with God will be more complete (Matt. 5:8; 18:10; Heb. 12:14).
Unlike Moses, the prophets, or any human, Jesus has seen God. Only He, who is God Himself, can share with us His perfect and total knowledge of God. Only He can bring us to the climax of God’s redemptive plan. To know Him is to know the Father (John 14:7,9).
Finally, between references to the stone tablets (Ex. 24:12; 31:18), Moses spent forty days and nights on the mountain. During those weeks, he received God’s detailed instructions for building the tabernacle and its furnishings. The Lord also outlined its operation and His expectations for the priests who would serve there (25:1-31:17). These directions are the focus for this session.
As you read Exodus 25:1-9; 31:1-6, identify what the verses reveal about God. How does this encourage your faith in Him? (PSG, p. 83)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
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.”
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:
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.
(v. 2) Offering: The word also can be translated “contribution.” At the burning bush, God had promised that Pharaoh would free His people and that they would plunder Egypt in the process (3:21). That promise was fulfilled in Exodus 12:36.
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). Most of these materials probably came from what the Egyptians forfeited after the Passover, though some could have come from trading with caravans in the Sinai.
(v. 2) Who is willing to give: Of course, God did not need the Israelites’ stuff. Still, He gave them the privilege of contributing to His project as an act of worship and gratitude, which is humanity’s highest purpose. Their so-called possessions were really all the Lord’s, just as the land ultimately would belong to Him (Lev. 25:23).
However, He would take only what was freely offered. The verb for willing to give suggests a voluntary gift. It is related to the freewill offering (Ex. 35:29; 36:3), one of three fellowship (shalom) offerings (see Lev. 7:11-21). The freewill offering was surely on Paul’s mind in 2 Corinthians 8-9 when he described “abundant joy” in generosity (8:2) and emphasized a “cheerful giver” (9:7).
(vv. 3-6) Gold, silver, and bronze . . . fine linen: The offering would include precious metals, as well as colorful cloth. Terms like “onyx” and “gemstones” (v. 7) also 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.
The fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn would be used for the inner layer of the tabernacle (Ex. 26:1,31,36; 35:6,25; 36:8,35-38), the courtyard (27:16; 38:18), and the priests’ clothing (28:5-8,15,33; 39:1-31). The olive oil and spices would be used to light lamps and prepare fragrant incense, which symbolized worship and prayer.
(v. 7) Ephod and breastpiece: These were part of the high priest’s official wardrobe as he served in the tabernacle. Both the ephod and the breastpiece included special stones that signified the tribes of Israel. See Exodus 28:6-30.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
8 “They are to make a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them. 9 You must make it according to all that I show you ?- ?the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings.”
(v. 8) Sanctuary: The word for sanctuary (miqdash) comes from the root meaning to “be holy.” It is where God’s people could encounter His holy presence. It first occurs in Exodus 15:17-18, the finale of Israel’s song of the exodus. These verses could point to Israel’s journey to Mount Sinai or to the tabernacle. However, the best explanation seems to point to an eternal sanctuary and a permanent divine gathering of the Lord’s people.
(v. 8) Dwell among them: God revealed Himself to the Israelites at Sinai, but His presence would draw even closer when He began to dwell among them. Previously, their understanding of His presence was limited to the mountain and to the pillar/cloud that led them. But once His glory filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34-35), He would reside within their camp.
Putting His name on the tabernacle meant that it belonged to Him, but His gracious hospitality would extend to all who would meet with Him in humble submission.
God with us
In Eden, God had provided close companionship with Adam and Eve. While He did not necessarily dwell with them, His presence with them was unmistakable. Sin shattered that connection; and while God appeared to His followers after Eden, He did not discuss dwelling with His people again until the tabernacle and, later, the temple.
Yet, even this was a shadow of His larger plan. Through Jesus the Messiah, God came to dwell (tabernacle) with humanity as a human being (John 1:14). The Word became flesh, and His presence continues to be experienced through the work of the Holy Spirit (16:7-11). One day, Eden will be completely reversed as Jesus brings His people back into uninterrupted fellowship with the Father (Rev. 21:3-4).
(v. 9) Pattern: Every detail of the tabernacle complex, including all its furnishings-from the ark of the covenant to what the priests would wear-was designed by God. Nothing was left to human imagination. Everyone who came to the earthly tabernacle with fear and longing would recognize that they were entering God’s presence (Heb. 8:5; 9:11-12). And their desire would be to stay there forever (Ps. 23:6).
The three tabernacles
The Old Testament mentions three tabernacles. The first was the “provisional” tabernacle that was established after the sin of the golden calf. It was located outside the camp and called the “tent of meeting” (Ex. 33:7). The second was the “Sinaitic” tabernacle that was built according to the directions given to Moses by God. It stood in the center of the camp (Ex. 35-40). Finally, Scripture refers to the “Davidic” tabernacle, which he erected in Jerusalem for the reception of the ark of the covenant (2 Sam. 6:17).
(v. 9) Tabernacle: The point of placing the tabernacle in the center of Israel’s camp was that everything in their lives could revolve around His presence. They were to be God-centered. Sinai had been an “opening” between heaven and earth; in the future this could be said of the tabernacle and then the temple.
All biblical references to God’s house refer to His earthly sanctuary (for examples, see Ex. 23:19; Judg. 18:31; Pss. 42:4; 65:4; 118:26; 122:1; Matt. 12:4; John 2:16). But Jesus’s death and resurrection made all earthly sanctuaries obsolete. He is now God’s tabernacle (John 1:14; also 2:19-21; 4:21) and the primary revelation of God’s presence among His people.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 The Lord also spoke to Moses: 2 “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft 4 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. 6 I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilled artisan in order to make all that I have commanded you.”
(v. 2) I have appointed: The verb for appointed usually means to “call” or “summon.” When followed with by name, it emphasizes both God’s authority to select and His divine ownership (Ex. 35:30; Isa 43:1). The term is used of King Cyrus of Persia, whom God chose, empowered, and led to accomplish His divinely appointed mission (Isa. 45:1-5). The word for “selected” in verse 6, highlights God’s unique provision.
Bezalel and Oholiab
Bezalel, whose name means “in the shadow of God,” was from Judah and was a descendant of Caleb (1 Chron. 2:20). He likely was in charge of the project. Oholiab (“father’s tent”) was from the tribe of Dan and was Bezalel’s associate. Spreading the work among the tribes provided a broad sense of “ownership.”
God ensured that the Israelites would have all the qualified personnel necessary to build, equip, and operate the tabernacle and all its furnishings. Bezalel and Oholiab appear again in chapters 35-36, where readers are told that God also gave them “the ability to teach others” (35:34). As a result, these two men also had plenty of help.
(v. 3) Filled . . . with God’s Spirit: The concept of being filled with God’s Spirit (ruach) occurs many times in Scripture, starting in Exodus 28:3. The wording refers to those to whom God gave knowledge and wisdom, that is special skills, abilities, or powers to accomplish His purposes. These men would be skilled in working with metal, gems, and wood (vv. 4-5), as well as cloth and leather.
(v. 6) I have put wisdom: The Lord Himself planted the abilities and skills into the hearts of willing men who would perform the work. This could suggest that the people God chose had some prior experience, though He raised their level of expertise to new levels. God does the same with willing people today.
The book of Exodus, especially chapters 25-40, beautifully illustrate the truth of missionary Hudson Taylor’s famous quote, “God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” God never assigns a task without providing the necessary resources, expertise, and strength to accomplish it. The resources provided from the Israelites’ generosity even exceeded the need (Ex. 36:2-7).
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 90 of the Personal Study Guide:
Challenge the group to identify one of the summary statements above as especially challenging at this time. Encourage them to turn that statement into a prayer request.
As a group, discuss the first set of question on page 90 of the PSG. Encourage adults to share how God empowered certain people for working on the tabernacle and how they have seen Him work today. Suggest that they reflect on the second set of questions during the week as they spend time with God.
Encourage adults to reflect silently on Exodus 25:8. Share that this is the memory verse for this session. Allow them a few minutes for silent prayer, asking God to make His presence known in their lives-both for their own benefit and so they can be a light to the world around them.
Reinforce the session by sending each person in the group a text or an email stating gifts and abilities you see them use for God’s glory. Encourage them to continue finding ways to use those elements to expand and strengthen God’s kingdom. Urge them to keep reflecting on the memory verse, Exodus 25:8, and to pray for God to reveal Himself to them in deeper ways this week.
Christians are under obligation to serve God with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. (See Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 23:23.)
Use multiple passages to understand a Bible doctrine.
Some Bible readers assume the Holy Spirit’s activity was limited to the New Testament. Read the following passages: Genesis 1:2; 6:3; Numbers 27:18; Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 16:14; 2 Samuel 23:2; Psalm 143:10; and Ezekiel 2:2. What do these Old Testament passages reveal about the work of the Holy Spirit before Pentecost?