Exodus 26:1-6 The Tabernacle

"Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen

and blue, purple and scarlet yarn,

with cherubim worked into them by a skilled craftsman.

 All the curtains are to be the same size --

twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.

Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five.

Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set,

and do the same with the end curtain in the other set.

Make fifty loops on one curtain

and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set,

with the loops opposite each other.

Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together

so that the tabernacle is a unit."

Exodus 26:1-6 (NIV)

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A chapter ago, in Exodus 25:8-9, The LORD had instructed Moses to have the Israelites build a sanctuary for the LORD, according to the pattern which God had revealed to Moses.  Then God would dwell among them. The NIV Study Bible notes on these verses reveal that the word translated 'tabernacle' literally means 'dwelling place'.  The word "almost always signifies the place where God dwells among his people."  In notes on Exodus 26:1, a concise description of the tabernacle is given:

"Its basic structure was to be 15 feet wide by 45 feet long by 15 feet high.

Over an inner lining of embroidered linen (v. 1-6),

it was to have a cover woven of goat hair (v. 7-13)

and two additional coverings of leather,

one made from ram skins dyed red and one from the hides of sea cows (v. 14)."

In the current passage which we are examining (v. 1-6), it describes the inner lining of embroidered linen.  This inner lining was made up of two panels of five curtains each, fastened together at opposing ends with loops of material joined by gold clasps.  In this way, the tabernacle is one unit.

We will take a look at other coverings for the tabernacle.  However, before ending this post, I wanted to say a bit about what this tabernacle meant.  Since God dwelt there, it was a place where heaven and earth symbolically came together.  Man could meet with God, but it had to be on God's terms.  At this point, the full plan of redemption had not yet played out; the people of Israel (and, by extension, mankind in general) were still outside Paradise.  A Messiah had been promised who would restore the relationship between God and Man, but at that time He had not yet come.

What do I mean by that?  Well, I did not write about that part of Scripture yet, where the Fall of Mankind is detailed (Genesis chapter 3), for I started this blog with the intent of tracing the line of Abraham, which begins to be discussed in Genesis 11:26.  At that time I temporarily skipped over the previous chapters of Genesis because I was focusing upon Abraham.

I knew that the previous chapters were crucially important to the whole story of God's dealings with mankind.  Without the details of God as Creator, the Fall of Man, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel, the rest might seem rather puzzling and disjointed.  I figured I would weave discussion of those other chapters in later.  Well, it seems that now is a good time for later, if you know what I mean.

Also, it had been bothering me that I had skipped the earlier parts of Genesis, for I believe all of Scripture is God's Word.  I do not want anyone to think that I regarded those early parts as mere myth.  The exact oppposite is true:  I believe they are true and that they are foundational for our discussion.  However, at that time I didn't want to get bogged down in discussions of evolution vs. creation.   I believe in creation, but at the time I didn't feel ready to write on those matters.  I'm probably still not ready.  However, it is time to take a look at some of those earlier chapters of Genesis.

Actually, how I believe that I will proceed is this:  We will take time to go back and discuss the Fall of Mankind, which is written about in Genesis chapter 3.  Of course, that involves a discussion of Adam and Eve, and where they came from, which brings in Genesis chapters 1 and 2.  I imagine that in the process of doing that, we may also take a run through Genesis 4-11, which includes a whole lot of interesting material.  After that, we will be pretty much up to speed and can continue on with a much better understanding of God's plan of redemption and why the tabernacle is part of that plan. 

At every point, please know that your comments and questions are welcome.  I may not be able to answer all questions, but I have no problem admitting that when it happens.  As far as I am concerned, I am just exploring what God's Word says.  Your insights and observations are most
welcome.

Now let's go back so that we can go forward.  You know what I mean!   

Exodus 25:31-40 The Lampstand (and its Seven Lamps)

"Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft;

its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall be of one piece with it.

Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand

-- three on one side and three on the other.

 

Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms

are to be on one branch, three on the next branch,

and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand.

And on the lampstand there are to be four cups

shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.

One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand,

a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair --

six branches in all.

The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand,

hammered out of pure gold.

 

Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it

so that they light the space in front of it.

Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold.

A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories.

See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

 

Exodus 25:31-40 (NIV)

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Some observations:

• The lampstand, lamps and accessories are made of pure gold.
• The cups, buds and blossoms are of one piece with the lampstand.
• Seven lamps were part of each lampstand.
• A talent of gold was used for the lampstand and its accessories.  This is about 75 pounds of gold (!) or, in its metric equivalent, 34 kilograms.
• Moses is instructed to make these items according to the pattern he was shown on Mt. Sinai.

Exodus 25:23-30 The Table (and the bread of the Presence)

"Make a table of acacia wood

--two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.

Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it.

Also make around it a rim a handbreath wide and put a gold molding on the rim.

 

Make four gold rings for the table

and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are.

The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table.

Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold and carry the table with them.

And make its plates and dishes of pure gold,

as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings.

 

Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times."

 

Exodus 25:23-30 (NIV)

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It may seem strange that such detail is given regarding a table which is part of the tabernacle furnishings.  However, this table had a significant purpose.

 

Upon this table were placed twelve loaves of bread,

which represented the twelve tribes of Israel.

This bread was both a perpetual offering to the LORD

and an acknowledgement that it was only by God's hand

that such supplies were available.

 

The table was made in a similar manner to the ark of the covenant -- acacia wood with a pure gold overlay.  Like the ark, gold rings held gold-covered acacia poles which were used to carry the object.  Dishes, plates, pitchers, and bowls used in connection with this table were made of pure gold.

 

The bread, which was known as 'the bread of the Presence' (Exodus 25:30), was to be continually set out before the LORD.

Leviticus 24:5-9 (NIV) gives us more details regarding these matters:

 

"Take fine flour and bake twelve loaves of bread,

using two tenths of an ephah for each loaf.

Set them in two rows, six in each row, on the table of pure gold before the LORD.

Along each row put some pure incense as a memorial portion

to represent the bread and to be an offering made to the LORD by fire.

 

This bread is to be set out before the LORD regularly,

Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant.

It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place,

because it is a most holy part of their regular share

 of the offerings made to the LORD by fire."

 

Here is where we learn that there were twelve loaves of bread set out, and that a memorial offering of incense was burned in place of the loaves.  The loaves were put out each Sabbath, and the previous ones were given to Aaron and his sons as part of their share of the tabernacle offerings.  Because the bread had been set apart as holy to the LORD, these priests had to eat it in a holy place. 

Exodus 25:10-22 The Ark of the Covenant

"Have them make a chest of acacia wood

-- two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide,

and a cubit and a half high.

Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out,

and make a gold molding around it.

Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet,

with two rings on one side and two rings on the other.

Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.

Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it.

The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.

Then put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.

Make an atonement cover of pure gold

-- two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.

And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.

Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other;

make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.

The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward,

overshadowing the cover with them.

The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.

Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony,

which I will give you.

There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites."

Exodus 25:10-22 (NIV)

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Few religious symbols have stirred the devotion and imagination of people more than the ark of the covenant of the LORD.  Stories of its mysteries and speculations regarding its current location have been the subject of countless books, lectures, sermons and movies.  Some of the ideas presented about this subject are intriguing; some seem to be merely sensationalism.  People are certainly interested, though.  I've read my fair share of these books and seen some of the movies.  However, I have always been far more interested in finding out the real story behind these matters.

It might be fun to do a post about the ark, perhaps a FAQ-like series of questions and answers about what we know biblically and historically.  At this moment, though, I am not prepared to do so.  I don't want to stray too far from this book of Exodus which we are considering, so for now I think I will stick to examining the passage at hand so that we can see what the Bible says about the ark and its construction.  Although this is a slower-paced endeavor, in the end you will hopefully have a much fuller understanding of the ark and its purpose.  In the current passage, we will see something about God's instructions for the physical construction of the ark.  In other passages, we will see the history of the ark in the lives of the people of Israel.  I think that once we do that, then we will be better prepared to deal with other [legitimate, not sensational] sources which concern the ark.
.
[However, now I find myself wanting to re-watch that Indiana Jones movie:   Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark -- where the bad guys are searching for the ark for their own evil purposes and Indiana Jones and his crew are also searching for it.  [SPOILER ALERT:  In other words, if you haven't seen that movie yet and plan on doing so, don't read the rest of this paragraph because I will be revealing the movie's ending.]  I love how in that movie, at the end, the ark is whirled up to heaven in a giant whirlwind and nobody on earth is able to lay claim to it.  I love that because to me it summarizes the situation perfectly:  The ark is the symbol of God's presence with the Israelites, and not an object for mere human purposes.

But I digress...  :)  Also, the Bible never says that anything like that happened in real life.  [But it was still a cool image.]  OK, back to the text:

v.10  The word which is usually translated 'ark' when it occurs in other places in the Bible is sometimes translated 'chest' in this passage.  Apparently this was a decision made so that we would get the idea that the ark was a chest-like object.  Chest or ark are both acceptable translations, but we would have gotten the idea that the ark was a chest-like object anyway from the measurements which are given in this same verse -- two and one half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.  [The NIV Study Bible's text note informs us that's 3 and 3/4 feet long and 2 and 1/4 feet wide and high.  If you prefer the metric system, it's about 1.1  meters long and 0.7 meter wide and high.]

v.11  The ark was to be made of acacia wood covered with pure gold.  Pure gold was not contaminated by any impurities.  The symbolism is obvious:  purity, integrity, sinlessness.  Not to mention that because it symbolizes the throne of the LORD, you would want to use the very best of materials.

v. 12-15   These verses indicate that gold rings were to be fastened to the four feet of the ark.  Poles of gold-covered acacia wood were inserted into these rings in order to carry the ark.  These poles were not to be removed from the rings.  Perhaps this was to guard against the poles ever carelessly being used for other more common purposes.

v.16   The Israelites were to put the Testimony [the two tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, which God would give them], into the ark. The NIV Study Bible note on this verse says that the Hebrew word for 'Testimony' is related to a Babylonian word for 'covenant stipulations'; the Ten Commandments were the summary of the stipulations of the covenant made at Mount Sinai.

v.17-21  There is quite a bit of detail given about the atonement cover.  It was made of pure gold, and measured two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.  Two cherubim were at the ends of the cover -- one at each end.  These were made of hammered gold and were "of one piece" with the cover.  Their wings were to be "spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them."  The cherubim faced each other, with their gaze looking toward the cover.  The cover was placed upon the ark, and within rested the Testimony.

v.22   This verse explains why such care was given to the details of the atonement cover:  There, above the cover, between the two cherubim, God would meet with Moses and give him all His commands for the Israelites. 

Covenant Instructions: Preview of Exodus 25-31 [with Exodus 25:1-9 commentary]

The next five chapters (25-31) of the book of Exodus record at least some of the words which God spoke to Moses during his time on Mount Sinai.  There are instructions about the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings, and details are given regarding the clothing of the priests and the consecration of both the priests and the tabernacle.  Instructions are given regarding anointing oil and incense.  Two men are appointed as chief craftsmen for the construction of the tablernacle and its artistic decoration.  Finally, instruction is given regarding the observance of the Sabbath day.

Remember how all of the Israelites had agreed to do all that the LORD would instruct them to do?  Well here are his covenant instructions to them.  Although some may see these five chapters as something to hurry through on the way to the next part of the story, let's take a moment to examine these instructions and see if we can get a better idea about the things which the LORD wanted to say to His people.
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Offerings for the Tabernacle  (Exodus 25:1-9)

"The LORD said to Moses,

'Tell the Israeltes to bring me an offering.

You are to receive the offering for me
from each man whose heart prompts him to give.

 

These are the offerings you are to receive from them:

gold, silver, and bronze;

blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen;

goat hair;

ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows;

acacia wood;

olive oil for the light;

spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;

and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

 

Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.

Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.' "

 

Exodus 25:1-9 (NIV)

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Some observations:

• An offering was expected, yet it was to be from each man whose heart prompted him to give.
• Specific items are mentioned as desirable offerings. These are all things which will be needed in order to construct the tabernacle, its furnishings or the priestly garments and utensils, as well as the oil and incense of the tabernacle.
• Offering items range from gold to goat hair (the latter can be woven into cloth for tents), so there is something for all to contribute.
• After they have received the offering, and made the sanctuary for the LORD, he will dwell among them.  (!)  Can you imagine how that news would have sounded to the Israelites?
• The tabernacle is to be made exactly as the LORD instructs them to do.  They can't just give whatever they feel like giving or slap together some makeshift dwelling for the LORD.  They need to follow the LORD's instructions "...exactly like the pattern I will show you." (Exodus 25:9)
• If there is a pattern to be followed, the 'real' one must exist somewhere.  Whether God drew a picture or showed Moses the heavenly tabernacle in a vision, there was an actual heavenly tabernacle of which the earthly one was only a copy.  Hebrews 8:5, after speaking previously about earthly priests, says: "They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven...".