28 | July | 2017 | kdmanestreet

“See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” -Exodus 25:40

The last section of Exodus (ch. 25-40) describes God’s plans for the tabernacle and the priesthood. God gave Moses the tabernacle pattern on Mt. Sinai and warned him to make everything accordingly.

So far, God has fulfilled His promises in Exodus 6:6-8 by delivering His people from Egypt (Ex. 1-18) and adopting them as His special treasure (Ex. 19-24; Rom. 9:4). Now He’s about to fulfill the remainder of His promise by coming into the camp so He might dwell with His people. Not only would this be a great privilege for the Israelites, but also a huge responsibility as the camp would need to be holy for the holy God to dwell there.

After giving Moses the law, God gives detailed instructions for the tabernacle He wants the Israelites to build. This would not only be a place of worship, but also a mobile building designed for the people to set up and take down during their wilderness journey. God also designates the tribe of Levi to be set apart that they might serve Him as priests.

The remainder of Exodus not only relays historical events, but is also steeped in spiritual truths. This book isn’t arranged topically. The tabernacle and priesthood is also sprinkled throughout Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Perhaps God did this so we wouldn’t just read one book, but study all the books He has authorized in the Bible. I’m following Warren Wiersbe’s outline from his book, Be Delivered, and hope to highlight how this section relates to us today.

God Designs the Plan (25:9, 40; 26:30)

God’s design for the earthly tabernacle was a copy of the heavenly tabernacle (Heb. 8:1-5; 9:1). The book of Revelation parallels the heavenly tabernacle with the earthly tabernacle: an altar (6:9-11), an altar of incense (8:3-5), a throne (4:2), elders/priests (vv. 4-5), lamps (v. 5), a “sea” (v. 6), and cherubim (vv. 6-7).

God always has a plan when He does a work, whether it’s building a tabernacle, local church, or individual Christian life (Eph. 2:10). We are told to follow His pattern, not the pattern of this world.

God Provides the Materials (25:1-9; 30:11-16; 35:4-29)

Precious metals, fabrics, wood, skins, olive oil, spices and precious stones were collected. Over three tons of silver and a ton of gold have been estimated in the tabernacle construction.

“Everything comes from you,” King David prayed, “and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (1 Chron. 29:14). God not only supplied the materials, but also stirred the people’s hearts to give. They were so generous, in fact, that Moses actually told them to stop (Ex. 36:6-7)!

Everything we have to give has been given to us first by our Maker.

God Equips the Workers (31:11; 35:30-36:7)

God not only appointed Bezalel and Oholiab to lead the workers, but also gave them wisdom and the ability to succeed. The tabernacle and furniture were crafted by assistants that God also enabled (Ex. 35:10).

God is still in the business of calling people who differ in abilities and spiritual gifts to be used for His glory and the good of His church (1 Cor. 12:1-13; Eph. 4:1-16; Rom. 12). (For more on this topic see Spiritual Gifts, Romans 12:3-8).

Wiersbe writes: “The Jews built a tent that long ago turned to dust, but we’re helping to build ‘a habitation of God in the Spirit’ (Eph 2:22) that will glorify God eternally.”