EXODUS 23
LAWS OF JUSTICE + MERCY
God provides specific laws for how to handle situations regarding bribery, Sabbath, and festivals.
God promises to send an angel to help the Israelites as they take over Canaan, and He warns them not to be distracted or tempted by the gods and idols the Canaanites worship. He tells the Israelites that their takeover of the land of Canaan will happen gradually, little by little, not all at once.
EXODUS 25
OFFERINGS FOR THE TABERNACLE
God gives a list of things that are appropriate for sacrifices, which includes primarily valuable or luxury items.
God gives specific instructions for building the ark of the covenant, a place for the stone tablets to dwell. The ark of the covenant is very valuable, made of gold, and covered with images of cherubim, an angelic creature who also guarded the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3. Cherubim are described as having four heads, one in each direction, and wings covered in eyes, making them worthy protectors of holy places.
The Israelites are to use gold poles to carry the ark in order to not touch it, similar to how they could not touch Mount Sinai because the presence of God is too powerful.
God also gives specific instructions on building a table and a lampstand for the tabernacle.
Normally, the Israelites would not have gold and valuable objects to make these things for God, but earlier in Exodus 12, God prepared them by having them plunder the Egyptians. God is involved in every detail and uses it for His glory!
EXODUS 26
GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TABERNACLE
God gives Moses detailed, intricate instructions for building the tabernacle.
The tabernacle is God’s way of drawing near to His people and starting the restoration of what was broken in the Garden of Eden. God does not need us but desires nearness with His creation, and the tabernacle serves as a place for Him to dwell on Earth.
The tabernacle is made of gold, silver, and bronze, with the most valuable materials being the closest to the innermost part where God’s presence would dwell.
EXODUS 28
DETAILS OF THE PRIESTLY GARMENTS
God gives detailed instructions for the priests, Aaron and his sons, to have holy garments.
They are to be gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, the same colors as the tabernacle. The twelve sons of Jacob are represented, six on each shoulder in birth order, as well as twelve different gemstones of the breastplate of judgment.
There are pomegranates on the hems of the robe, as well as bells so that the other priests can hear if someone is able to exit the Holy of Holies—where God dwells—or if they have died in God’s presence.
The purpose of this clothing is for both glory and beauty. They are to be made by people who God has given skills. When it pertains to His tabernacle, God cares about beauty, craftsmanship, and quality.
EXODUS 29
GOD WILL DWELL AMONG THE ISRAELITES IN THE TABERNACLE
More detailed instructions are given regarding what, when, and where to give sacrifices on the altar of the tabernacle. God will dwell among the Israelites and wants them to be prepared.
Exodus 29:45-46 - I will dwell among the Israelites, and I 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.
EXODUS 30
DETAILS OF THE ALTAR OF INCENSE
God gives detailed instructions on how to build an altar for incense.
He explains that He wants there to be a census where everyone is to be counted and pay half a shekel as an offering.
And He gives instructions for a bronze basin for the Israelites to wash their hands and feet so they can be clean before God. God also gives instructions for the use of anointing oils. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh are all elements of the tabernacle and are also the gifts the wise men bring to the birth of Jesus.
EXODUS 31
THE BUILDERS OF THE TABERNACLE
Oholiab and Bezalel are mentioned as the primary builders and craftsmen for the tabernacle. God filled them with His Spirit, giving them ability, craftsmanship, and knowledge.
God reminds the priests of the Sabbath, to rest on the seventh day.
God gives Moses the Ten Commandments on stone tablets.
EXODUS 32
THE ISRAELITES CREATE + WORSHIP A GOLDEN CALF
While Moses is on the mountain, the Israelites melt down their jewelry to build a golden calf. Because Moses has been gone for a delayed amount of time, they create something else to worship. Even Aaron, the brother of Moses, is guilty of offering sacrifices to the idol.
God wants to wipe out the Israelites for what they’ve done, but Moses asks God to spare them. God tells Moses He will make a great nation out of him, the same promise He made Abraham.
Moses comes down from the mountain and sees what the Israelites are doing and breaks the tablets in anger. He melts down the golden calf and spreads the ashes in the water. Moses is angry with Aaron for orchestrating this direct disobedience to God and the commandments.
God sends another plague and thousands of Israelites are killed.
EXODUS 33
MOSES + THE ISRAELITES CONTINUE TOWARDS THE PROMISED LAND
God tells Moses that it is time for him and the Israelites to leave Mount Sinai and that the land of Canaan will start to be cleared out for the Israelites.
Moses meets with God again, but this time in the tent of meeting. God previously met with Moses face to face, but does not this time. Moses boldly requests to see God’s face but is given only a glimpse of God's presence and majesty. God does not fully reveal Himself to Moses, but His evident nearness reinforces the importance of God's presence and favor in his life and the lives of the Israelites.
God comforts Moses, telling him that he knows him by name and that he has found favor in God’s sight. Moses does not want to continue without God’s presence, knowing His nearness sets the Israelites apart as God’s chosen people.
Exodus 33:14 - My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
EXODUS 34
MOSES MEETS GOD ON MOUNT SINAI
Moses makes new tablets for the commandments and meets God on the mountain alone.
God reminds Moses of His character, that God is both merciful and just. He renews the covenant with Moses and tells him that the Israelites will see and experience awesome marvels never seen before.
God warns Moses that the Israelites are not to sleep with the Canaanites or worship their gods. He also reminds Moses of the importance of the Sabbath and the unleavened bread.
Moses is on the mountain for forty days and forty nights and does not eat or drink. Right before Jesus began His earthly ministry, He went into the wilderness and fasted for forty days and nights. God used fasting to prepare both Moses and Jesus for their mission to deliver His people.
When Moses comes down from the mountain, his face is shining because he spoke face-to-face with God. God’s presence is that powerful! Moses puts a veil over his face but removes it when he is speaking with God.
Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.
EXODUS 36
CONSTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE BEGINS
Moses summons Bezalel and Oholiab, along with some other skilled workers to start constructing the tabernacle. The Israelites are allowed to bring gold, silver, and bronze to the builders as a contribution to the tabernacle, and there is an abundance of supplies.
Bezalel and Oholiab build the tapestry and the framing for the tabernacle, just as God instructed.
EXODUS 38
MATERIALS USED FOR THE TABERNACLE
Bezalel and Oholiab build the altar of burnt offering, the bronze basin, and the courtyard for the tabernacle, just as God instructed.
The amount of gold brought was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels. The amount of silver brought was one hundred talents and 1,775 shekels. The amount of bronze brought was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels.
EXODUS 40
THE TABERNACLE COMPLETED
Moses blesses the tabernacle once it is finished and anoints it with oil to consecrate it.
Aaron and his sons are also anointed with the oil as the priests.
Moses is not able to enter the tabernacle because God’s presence is there in the form of a cloud and the form of a fire, the same as in Exodus 14.
Exodus 40:38 - For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.