Forward

The craftsmen began by making the curtains. Bazalel attached loops to them with clasps of gold. Then he made more curtains out of goats’ hair and attached loops with bronze clasps to them (36:8-19). As218 the story continues, Bezalel made the upright frames and bars out of acacia wood. These would serve as the structure for the tabernacle (vv. 20-34). Then he made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine linen. For the veil, he made pillars of acacia wood that were overlaid with gold. This also had a screen for the entrance. This was the most holy place (vv. 35-38).

Next Bezalel made the ark and its poles. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. On the ends there were cherubim; in between them was the mercy seat on which the high priest would sprinkle blood (37:1-9). Bezalel also made the table from acacia wood, also overlaid with gold. This had dishes that were made of pure gold (vv. 10-16). Then he made the lamp stand of pure gold. Even with the numerous branches and extensions that came out of the main pole, it was one solid, hammered piece of pure gold (vv. 17-24). The altar of incense was made out of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Bezalel, the multi-skilled man that he was, also made the holy anointing oil and perfumes (vv. 25-29). He then made the altar of burnt offering out of acacia wood. This was overlaid with bronze rather than gold, as were the pieces that went with it (38:1-7). He made the bronze basin along with its stand (v. 8). Then he finally made the court, which contained numerous pillars, bases, hangings, and more, all being made of bronze and silver (vv. 9-20).

We are also provided with a record of who helped in building the tabernacle and the amount of supplies that went into building it (vv. 21-31). This included around 2, 193 pounds of gold. This was and is massive wealth! While some may say that this argues against the historicity of the account, much larger amounts have been found in the East, in both ancient and modern times (Keil and Delitzsch, Pentateuch, 251).

The final thing prepared for the tabernacle involved the priestly garments. This included the ephod, breastplate, overcoat, body-coat, turban, and undergarments (39:1-31). This provided the conclusion of the building of the tabernacle. The items were delivered to Moses. After inspecting them, Moses found that the people had made what Yahweh required. As a result, Moses blessed them (vv. 32-43). God then instructed the people when to erect the tabernacle (40:1-15). Moses obeyed God’s instruction. He erected the tabernacle and completed the work (vv. 16-33).

“The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (vv. 34-38) when the work was completed. The Lord would remain there until it was time for the people to move. While the cloud and the glory were stationary, they 219met together in the tabernacle. When the cloud of glory left, the people left. God provided them with direction. They could not mistake when the Lord wanted them to stay or go.

Moses did not see the glory of God head-on in Exodus. He saw glimpses of glory—he saw more than anyone else—but it was not until later that Moses saw the glory of God in the face of Christ. Look at Luke 9:28-36:

Jesus unveiled His glory at the Mount of Transfiguration to Peter and John and James. His face was altered, His clothes were dazzling white, and the cloud appeared, and who got to see Him? Moses (and Elijah)! Previously, Moses could not see God’s face, but now, he beheld Him. Now God could say, “You want to see My glory? Here you go.” Moses was talking with Jesus face to face as a man speaks to his friend. Luke even added that they were discussing Jesus’ “death,” literally His “departure,” which is the Greek word for “exodus” (Luke 9:31). Jesus was about to lead the ultimate exodus through His death and resurrection. The disciples did not understand it for they thought there should be a tent of meeting for each of them. But the Father said, you do not need a tent; you need to listen to my Son. He told them they were dwelling with God in Christ.

Moses saw the glory of God in Christ as Jesus dwelt among them. It is what we see as well, though through a dark glass. Later, we will see220 face to face. This gives us great hope! The tabernacle and all its glory point to the glory of God in Christ. The author of Hebrews picked up this point powerfully, and so did the Apostle John when he wrote in John 1:14,

What is the tabernacle about? It is about the gospel. Will we continue to stand amazed at Christ—our tabernacle—or will we become indifferent to the good news? Let us continually marvel at grace. Let us continually adore Christ.

In the Lord of the Rings, Sam asks Mr. Frodo, “I wonder what sort of a tale we’ve fallen into?” (Tolkien, The Two Towers, 362). Everyone wants to know the answer to this. The book of Exodus shows us. We are in the story, the grand redemptive story, the true story of the whole world. We look back at Exodus and see the good news, and Exodus points ahead to Christ, and Exodus looks to the end (which is only the beginning).

We began our study and said that we were going to see the gospel and how the story of Exodus, in a sense, is our story. Once we were in bondage to sin, enslaved, under the sentence of death, but by taking shelter under the blood of the Lamb, God has delivered us. Now God is with us, leading us to the promised land. We will face challenges, obstacles, and temptations, but we know that God is faithful to His redeemed people. While we journey, we live by grace and forgiveness found not in a tabernacle but in Christ. One day we will see Jesus Christ, and there we will behold the glory of God forever. Everyone who trusts in Christ has this hope. Now let us move forward in this faith journey!

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