THE PEOPLE BUILD THE TABERNACLE (Exodus 35-40)
Remember the Sabbath
Exodus 35:2
Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD.
Moses reminded people of the Sabbath, that work should be done for six days only, but the seventh day should be reserved for the Lord. The Sabbath isn’t just a day of rest but a day to be spent with the Lord, so that we can nurture our individual relationship with the Lord.
God is stressing here that despite the world and the associated needs, we are to continue to build our relationship with God. Yes, the Tabernacle will be built, but not at the expense of our continual building of our relationship with God. Our lives are not to cut into the personal time we spend with God.
As God’s people, we are called to live apart from the world (cf. Exodus 4:23; 10:3, 7; 12:31; 25:8). We are to live in this world (to spread the Gospel with non-believers) but not be of this world. As we live in this world, we are taught to be shining the light of Christ.
God provides
God was the ultimate supplier of the talent and the materials to build the tabernacle.
For example, God gave the artisans the talent to build the tabernacle (Exodus 35:10). Similarly, God put it in our heart to provide the materials needed to build our lives according to His will.
Exodus 35:5
Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD.
God always wants a willing heart. He never wants to force anyone into anything. God only wants from us what we're willing to give, cheerfully (cf. Exodus 35:24; 36:2).
God also chose the lead craftsmen.
Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship.
Aholiab was skilled to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker.
Exodus 36:2
… and every gifted artisan in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work.
For all those with a willing heart, they received more than enough to complete the work of God.
Exodus 36:5
They spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded us to do.”
And the people built the Tabernacle exactly as God had commanded.
James taught us that we need to be doers of His word, not just hearers. These next few chapters show us exactly what that means: When we receive instructions from the Lord, it is not enough that we just hear it -- but do it as well.
God instructs Moses to set the Holy of Holies in place first
The Holy of Holies is the most important part of the tabernacle (cf. Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:14-16), because this was where God’s presence rests.
Once the tabernacle was fully assembled, the glory of God filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34). This event is an example of how God’s promise to always dwell among us is kept (Exodus 25:8) and is ultimately fulfilled with the birth of Christ (Acts 2:1-12). Today, with Christ defeating death and ascension into Heaven, the Holy Spirit now dwells within us and fills us 24/7, a phenomenon foreign to the Old Testament Israelites!
God guides the Israelites through the wilderness
Manifesting as a cloud of glory, God guided the Israelites through the wilderness. Whenever the cloud lifted, the children of Israel traveled. Whenever the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in the camp and did not set out.
Physically, the cloud sheltered the children of Israel from their enemies: a cloud would prevent their enemies from seeing them; a cloud of fire would prevent their enemies from getting too close to them.
Today, God also guides us – not through manifestation of a cloud, but through the Holy Spirit and through His Word. If we seek Him, we shall have Him – This is the promise God has given us (cf. Psalm 25:5; John 8:12; Hebrews 1:1-3, James 1:5).
