November 5, 2020
The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt. After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance. God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance.
Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.
Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.
Exodus 36
1 “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.”
2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, 5 and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.
8 And all the craftsmen among the workmen made the tabernacle with ten curtains. They were made of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns, with cherubim skillfully worked. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains were the same size.
10 He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain of the first set. Likewise he made them on the edge of the outermost curtain of the second set. 12 He made fifty loops on the one curtain, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set. The loops were opposite one another. 13 And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one to the other with clasps. So the tabernacle was a single whole.
14 He also made curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle. He made eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains were the same size. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 And he made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain of the one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the other connecting curtain. 18 And he made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together that it might be a single whole. 19 And he made for the tent a covering of tanned rams’ skins and goatskins.
20 Then he made the upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. 22 Each frame had two tenons for fitting together. He did this for all the frames of the tabernacle. 23 The frames for the tabernacle he made thus: twenty frames for the south side. 24 And he made forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty frames 26 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame and two bases under the next frame. 27 For the rear of the tabernacle westward he made six frames. 28 He made two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear. 29 And they were separate beneath but joined at the top, at the first ring. He made two of them this way for the two corners. 30 There were eight frames with their bases of silver: sixteen bases, under every frame two bases.
31 He made bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 33 And he made the middle bar to run from end to end halfway up the frames. 34 And he overlaid the frames with gold, and made their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.
35 He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it. 36 And for it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold, and he cast for them four bases of silver. 37 He also made a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework, 38 and its five pillars with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals, and their fillets were of gold, but their five bases were of bronze.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- God stirred the hearts and gave knowledge to every craftsman to perform the work on the tabernacle. Recall a time when the Lord stirred your heart to do something. Perhaps it was to show kindness to someone in a unique way, or to carry out an act of service that would reflect well on Jesus.
- What was the difficulty the craftsmen told Moses about in verse 5? What are your thoughts about the people having to be asked to stop bringing contributions for the tabernacle because they were being so generous?
- Has God ever stirred your heart to be particularly generous in some tangible way?
- Reflect on Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” How do Paul’s words relate to the peoples’ contributions for the tabernacle?
Prayer: Father, you are so generous and when I am generous, I reflect your love and character. I pray you will stir my heart towards generosity like you did the people for the building of the tabernacle. Help me to be a cheerful giver, and I know that you will supply every need of mine according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to be more like You and pleasing in every way. Please stir my heart and show me ways I can be more generous to others. Help me show grace and Your love in all I do. Help me be an instrument for Your glory. In Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.
Gracias padre amado por hoy gracias por tu misericordia y todas las bendiciones ayúdame a ser cada día como tú a ser más generosa con las personas ayúdame a mostrar más amor en lo que hago para tú gloria bendita y que tú amor prevalezca por siempre llenándome de tú espíritu santo y dándome sabiduría en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén y amén ?
Good morning Lord!
Please constantly remind us that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20: 35
Dear Lord, Thank You for this day. May I daily be a reflection of Your love poured out on others. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Heavenly Father,
You are the creator of the heavens and the earth. You are still on your throne. And, you have not called us home, yet.
What is it that you would have us do this day? Pausing, waiting for a new infilling of your Spirit, touch your children, encourage each to shout for joy knowing you are our God.
Guide each to accomplish your will today. May we be your hands building your kingdom.
LORD, you call your church to stand in holiness and righteousness. May we spend more time on our knees seeking your forgiveness. Shine your light into our dark places, may we turn from our wicked ways.
Hear our cries, forgive our sins, and heal our land, oh LORD.
No King but King Jesus,
Amen
May our service and work please you – the most Holy and Generous Lord.
Please intercede in our election and receive the glory for the results. Bless our nation dear Lord. Let our nation bring you righteousness and glory. Thank you for providing our church body leaders to guide us. Thank you for providing our communities leaders to shape our laws. Bless them with wisdom from you.
Thank you Lord for generously supplying all we need to do your will. Help me steward well my time, talents, and treasure to accomplish what, when and how you wish to accomplish your will.
I will have a “good eye” and be generous to others.