Exodus 35-37 Construction Begins

Thoughts

Exodus 35

Three speeches by Moses in this section

First Speech: Sabbath. ANOTHER reminder to keep the Sabbath. God wanted His people to work AND rest. This was so important to God that not following this command would lead to death.

Second Speech: Community participation. Whoever has a generous heart….led to people giving more than enough

I like that there are strict instructions, but then offering community participation for whoever had the want or the skill. Their hearts were stirred into action.

Here we have a summary of the previous chapters of what needs to be done to complete the tabernacle.

Third Speech: Bazalel and Oholiab. A reminder about their appointment.

Exodus 36

It’s go time!

So many people were led to give that eventually the people had to be restrained from giving.

his chapter reads almost like a checklist: Did they do this? Yes. Did they do that? Yes. After previously refusing to follow YHWH’s instructions, now they follow them to the letter. God’s blueprints are coming to life.

I’m not gonna lie…it’s a bit slow to read. But I’m trying to really pull out what this chapter reveals about God. It’s exciting because this is the moment the tabernacle, the place where God Himself will come down, is finally being built. How exciting! 

The Curtains of the Tabernacle (Matches Exodus 26:1–6)

• Description of the inner curtains (fine linen with blue, purple, scarlet yarn, and cherubim).
• 10 curtains made and joined in two sets of five.
• Gold clasps unite the two sets into one tabernacle covering.

Additional Coverings (Matches Exodus 26:7–14)

• Goat hair curtains for the outer covering.
• Made in 11 sections, fastened with bronze clasps.
• A ram skin dyed red and goat skin leather form the final outer layers

The Frames/Walls (Matches Exodus 26:15–25)

• Acacia wood boards for the tabernacle walls.
• 20 frames on each side and 6+2 frames at the rear (west side).

 Crossbars (Matches Exodus 26:26–30)

• Crossbars connect and stabilize the frames.
• Made with acadia wood and overlaid with gold; rings made to hold the bars in place.

The Inner Veil (Matches Exodus 26:31–33)

• A veil made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn with cherubim, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
• Hung on four gold-covered acacia posts with silver bases.

The Entrance Curtain (Matches Exodus 26:36–37)

• Another curtain (for the entrance to the tent), same rich colors but without cherubim.
• Hung on five gold-covered posts with bronze bases.

Exodus 37

Another chapter listing what was built according to God’s request.

The Ark of the Covenant (matches Exodus 25:10-22)

• Made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold inside and out.
• Four gold rings and poles for carrying it.
• Mercy seat (atonement cover) made of pure gold.
• Two cherubim of hammered gold face each other, wings outstretched, covering the mercy seat.

 The Table of the Bread of the Presence (Showbread Table) (matches Exodus 25:23–30)

• Made of acacia wood, covered with pure gold.
• Gold molding around the edges, with rings and poles for carrying.
• Crafted with utensils (plates, dishes, bowls) also made of gold.

 The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) (matches Exodus 25:31–40)

• Made of pure hammered gold with one piece with six branches (three on each side).
• Decorated with almond blossoms, buds, and flowers.
• Seven lamps made, with tongs and trays also of pure gold.
• Entire lampstand and accessories made from one talent of gold (around 75 pounds).

The Altar of Incense (matches Exodus 30:1–10)

• Made of acacia wood, square-shaped, overlaid with gold.
• Gold molding around the top, rings for carrying poles.
• Used for burning fragrant incense, made from a special holy recipe.

Questions

What did the author want us to know by rewriting the information in Exodus 36 and 37?

Application

These chapters can be tough to get through, like I mentioned before. But what stands out to me is this: the same people who just turned their backs on God with the golden calf are now coming together, giving their time and resources to build something holy. It’s a reminder that even when we fall, God’s grace invites us back in to keep going, to rebuild, and to draw near again.