Days 45- 46, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Exodus 36:8–40:38
Note: The calendar dates in today’s study are combined because of the continuing theme. You may wish to do the Bible reading on the 14th then read this Bible study on the 15th.Getting It Right (following the design)
If you are reading this Bible study following the calendar, Happy Valentine’s Day! The principles about following God’s design for love and relationships can be indirectly correlated with his plan for the tabernacle. However, to not take away from the meaning of today’s lesson, these relationship-building principles will be given at the end.
Suppose that we have a project and want to begin construction. We have the plan, materials, labor, and resources to start. How do we make sure that the project is done right?
Ensuring Quality
Have willing, motivated workers
There is nothing more discouraging to contractors, foremen, or supervisors than unmotivated laborers. They may arrive late and leave early or just stand around and waste time, and they don’t care about the project or its quality.
As we have seen in recent Bible studies, God’s plan for the tabernacle is for a portable worship center for Israel. It will remain their worship center until they enter the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. Volunteers gather the tabernacle materials and give generously. Volunteers also build the portable structure. Forced labor doesn’t exist like they experienced in Egypt.
Skilled workers are essential
We need skilled labor to complete a project with quality and precise specifications. This was also true with the construction of the tabernacle.
Moses says to the Israelites,
See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.
And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers-- all of them master craftsmen and designers. (Exodus 35:30-35, NIV)
Today, God has gifted us, followers of Christ, with talents and abilities (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:7-16). He wants us to be willing to use them for his glory. We are not all gifted in the same way. Because of this, some of us might say, “I don’t have that gift so I can’t do it.” But are we willing to be trained for a needed task or ministry so that the whole church is encouraged and built up?
Inspect the work
When we looked in today’s Bible reading, we might have been struck by the thought: we just read this a couple of days ago. Why is this repeated again?That’s right; Chapters 36-39 are almost an exact repetition of chapters 25-31. Then in Exodus 39:43, it is stated that Moses inspected everything which was made for the tabernacle. The point is that the construction was done precisely as God’s plans dictated to Moses on Mt. Sinai. In chapter 40, there is a constant refrain that Moses made everything related to the tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly as the LORD commanded.
If we think about it, this is a convicting thought: Do we do exactly what God commands us to do? When we read in the Bible his plans for our lives and spiritually building our churches, do we closely or loosely follow them? How is that turning out for us?
Keep the purpose forefront
Why was the tabernacle to be made exactly as the LORD told Moses, without modifications? The writer of the book of Hebrews says the sanctuary was
a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:5, NIV)
The spiritual significance of the articles
Each article of the tabernacle has spiritual significance for us.
- The Ark of the Covenant, with the angelic beings on top, pictures the glorious but invisible presence of God.
- The lamp represents Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12).
- The table of showbread, with the two piles of six unleavened (yeastless) flat cakes on it, represents fellowship between God and the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus is the bread of life. If we, not only Jews but also Gentiles (non-Jews), spiritually partake of him (believe), we can have fellowship with God and each other (1John 1:3; Ephesians 2:11-18).
- The altar of incense represents prayer (Luke 1:11-13; Revelation 5:8). Entrance into the presence of God was once inaccessible, except by the high priest once a year. But with the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, he, as our high priest, is able to bring us into the presence of God (Hebrews 9:7-15).
- The bronze altar of sacrifice at the entrance of the courtyard represents the sacrifice necessary for sins. Constant animal sacrifices would soon be offered there. About 1400 years later, when Christ is executed on the cross at Calvary, he sacrifices himself so we might have forgiveness once for all. When we accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, we are forgiven and pardoned of all our offenses (Hebrews 9:14-15). Thank you, Lord.
- The bronze basin was used for the priests to wash before ministering with the articles of the tabernacle and its furnishings. Like the priests, we, too, need daily cleansing of our sins so we may lead holy lives and handle the holy things of God (i.e., our spiritual ministry). (1John 1:9)
Why keep records?
The tabernacle is a treasure of ornate beauty and wealth. Moses records all the precious metals, stones, and luxurious fabric used in the construction. Why? It shows they serve a worthy God, and he is holy, magnificent, and worthy of our praise!
Some of the precious metals used are gold, silver, and bronze. One ton of gold is used for the tabernacle proper and its furnishings, where the priests minister. God orders a census of all the 603,000 male Israelites to maintain the tabernacle. Each male is given a value in silver, and three and three-quarter tons of silver are collected (Exodus 30:12; 38:25). Two and one-half tons of bronze was used for the altar and its articles used in sacrifice, the bronze basin, courtyard frames, bases, and tent pegs.
Application
What do the materials of the tabernacle have to do with us? The Apostle Peter says that something much more valuable than precious metals is offered instead.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1Peter 1:18-19, NIV)
Christ is more precious than the expensive metals of the tabernacle! Have we accepted him and his sacrifice as payment for our sins? This is the only way God forgives us and allows us to enter heaven where he dwells. (more...)
When the tabernacle is finished, everything is set up and anointed for service, including the priests. Everything is done precisely as the LORD directs. Then God’s presence in the form of a cloud descends, and his glory fills the tabernacle. He is pleased!
Whenever the cloud lifts and moves from the tabernacle, the Israelites travel. Whenever it settles over the tabernacle, for however long, they stay put. Are we sensitive to God’s leading? In everything, let’s try to get it right, so we are going with God.
Discussion
How do we ensure quality in our work or ministry?
Why was the tabernacle built to exact specifications, precisely as God directed Moses?
What are the significances of the different tabernacle articles?
What do the precious metals and stones of the tabernacle have to do with us?
Focus Verse
Matthew 5:48 (NIV) “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Principles for Building Relationships
- We must be willing to work on the relationship.
- We should be generous in our love.
- We can’t force love; there must be willingness and motivation.
- Good relationships are built by giving our all.
- It is good to get counsel from a mature Christian person regarding our relationship when needed. Still, sometimes we need professional help to get it right.
- Let’s follow the blueprint of God’s Word in our relationship. Is it pleasing to God? Are we honoring him in the way we relate to each other? (Malachi 2:13-16; Ephesians 5:21-33 1Peter 3:1-12)
- Love, trust, and obedience are necessary ingredients in building relationships.
- When we mess up, confessing our faults and asking for forgiveness are necessary materials to rebuild and maintain our relationships (more about this in our next lesson).
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
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Looking Ahead:After the tabernacle is built, the priests are clothed in special garments, and both are anointed (dedicated) for service. Then, offerings to God need to be made, but how do they do it? Leviticus is written as a manual for them to use. The emphasis of the book is on the holiness of God. In our Next Lesson we begin to explain the procedures and how they relate in principle with Our Offerings to God. Join us and be enriched!
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