Exodus 25

Exodus 25 marks the beginning of God's instructions to Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle, the sacred space where God would dwell among His people. The chapter outlines the offerings required, as well as detailed instructions for crafting the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the showbread, and the golden lampstand. These instructions reveal God’s desire for His people to worship Him in a dedicated and sacred place, filled with symbolism that foreshadows deeper spiritual truths.

Exodus 25:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.
3 And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze;

God commands Moses to ask the Israelites for an offering, but it must come from a willing heart. This reveals that God values voluntary, heartfelt worship over compulsion. The specific materials requested—gold, silver, and bronze—were precious metals signifying the high value of the Tabernacle and the things that would be used in the worship of God. These materials also reflect God’s majesty and holiness, as only the finest should be offered to Him.

Exodus 25:4-7 (NKJV)
4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair;
5 ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood;
6 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense;
7 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.

These verses describe additional materials needed for the Tabernacle and priestly garments. The colors—blue, purple, and scarlet—symbolize royalty and divinity, while the fine linen and animal skins signify purity and sacrifice. Acacia wood is chosen for its durability, reflecting the eternal nature of God. The oil and spices are for sacred purposes, highlighting the importance of anointing and offering incense in worship. The precious stones for the ephod and breastplate point to the role of the priest as an intercessor for the people before God.

Exodus 25:8-9 (NKJV)
8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.

God instructs Moses to build a sanctuary so that He may dwell among His people. This shows His desire for communion with His people, providing a place where He can be approached and worshipped. The "pattern" is not something arbitrary, but a divine blueprint that Moses is to follow exactly. This reinforces the idea that worship and the structure of the sanctuary are to be done according to God’s design, not human innovation.

Exodus 25:10-11 (NKJV)
10 “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height.
11 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around.

The Ark of the Covenant is the first item God instructs to be built. Made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, the Ark symbolizes both the humanity and divinity of God’s presence. Its pure gold covering emphasizes the holiness and sacredness of the Ark, which would house the Ten Commandments, a testament to God’s covenant with Israel. The precise dimensions reflect the order and structure that God values in His worship.

Exodus 25:12-14 (NKJV)
12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side.
13 And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.
14 You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them.

God provides instructions for how the Ark should be transported, by placing gold rings on its sides and using poles to carry it. The use of gold-covered poles emphasizes the sacredness of the Ark, and its portability reflects God's intention for His presence to move with His people. The detailed instructions also ensure that the Ark is handled with reverence and care, showing that approaching God’s presence is not something to be done carelessly.

Exodus 25:15-16 (NKJV)
15 The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.
16 And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.

The poles are to remain in the rings of the Ark, signifying its readiness for transport at any moment. Inside the Ark, Moses is to place the “Testimony,” referring to the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. These tablets are central to God’s covenant with Israel, and their placement inside the Ark symbolizes that the law is at the heart of God’s relationship with His people. The Ark thus becomes the tangible representation of God’s covenant and presence among the Israelites.

Exodus 25:17-18 (NKJV)
17 “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width.
18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.

The mercy seat, crafted from pure gold, is to be placed atop the Ark. This cover symbolizes God’s throne on earth and the place where His presence would dwell. The two cherubim on either end, also made of gold, reflect the heavenly nature of God’s throne and serve as guardians of His holiness. The cherubim’s presence signifies the awe and reverence due to God, as well as the protection of His holiness from sinful humanity.

Exodus 25:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat.
20 And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.

The cherubim’s wings spread over the mercy seat, covering it, which indicates that this is a place of divine protection and sanctity. Their faces turned toward each other and the mercy seat signifies unity in reverence toward God's presence. This intricate design emphasizes the importance of the mercy seat as the meeting point between heaven and earth, where God would manifest His glory and communicate with His people.

Exodus 25:21-22 (NKJV)
21 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.
22 And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

God instructs Moses to place the mercy seat on top of the Ark, which holds the Testimony. God promises to meet with Moses and communicate His commandments from above the mercy seat, between the cherubim. This verse reveals that the mercy seat serves not only as a cover for the Ark but also as the central point of divine communication. It represents God’s willingness to dwell among His people and guide them, establishing the Ark as a sacred place of both mercy and judgment.

Exodus 25:23-24 (NKJV)
23 “You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height.
24 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around.

God commands the construction of a table from acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold. The detailed dimensions indicate that the table, like the Ark, is meant to reflect divine precision. Gold again signifies the purity and holiness of the objects within the Tabernacle. The molding around the table emphasizes its sacredness, as this table will hold the showbread, representing God’s provision and His sustaining presence among His people.

Exodus 25:25-27 (NKJV)
25 You shall make for it a frame of a handbreadth all around, and you shall make a gold molding for the frame all around.
26 And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that are at its four legs.
27 The rings shall be close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear the table.

The table is designed with a frame and rings for portability, much like the Ark. The inclusion of gold rings and poles for carrying shows that this sacred furniture was also designed for movement, symbolizing God’s continued presence with His people wherever they go. The careful craftsmanship, with attention to detail and symmetry, underlines the holiness of the objects used in worship and their connection to God's perfection.

Exodus 25:28-30 (NKJV)
28 And you shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried with them.
29 You shall make its dishes, its pans, its pitchers, and its bowls for pouring. You shall make them of pure gold.
30 And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.

The poles for carrying the table are made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, maintaining the standard of sacred materials. The dishes and utensils, all made of pure gold, reflect the importance of this table as part of worship. The showbread, which was to be continually placed on the table, represents God's provision and His covenant with Israel. It serves as a reminder that God sustains His people and that His presence is ongoing.

Exodus 25:31-33 (NKJV)
31 “You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece.
32 And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side.
33 Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower—and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand.

The lampstand, made entirely of pure gold and hammered into shape, represents God’s light and presence among His people. The detailed description of branches, almond blossoms, knobs, and flowers shows that even the smallest elements are meant to reflect God’s beauty and creativity. The almond blossoms are significant because almonds were among the first trees to bloom in the spring, symbolizing new life and awakening. The lampstand will later be known as the menorah, a key symbol of light in the Tabernacle.

Exodus 25:34-36 (NKJV)
34 On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower.
35 And there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand.
36 Their knobs and their branches shall be of one piece; all of it shall be one hammered piece of pure gold.

The entire lampstand, including the branches, bowls, knobs, and flowers, is to be crafted from a single piece of hammered gold. This design speaks to the unity and perfection of God’s light. The ornate decorations emphasize beauty and holiness, while the hammered work demonstrates the skill and care required in making something so sacred. The lampstand is not just functional but deeply symbolic of God's presence and purity.

Exodus 25:37-38 (NKJV)
37 You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it.
38 And its wick-trimmers and their trays shall be of pure gold.

The seven lamps on the lampstand symbolize completeness, often representing the perfect and complete light of God. The light from the lamps was to be arranged so it illuminated the area in front, representing how God’s presence brings clarity and direction. The wick-trimmers and trays, also made of pure gold, show that every aspect of the worship and maintenance in the Tabernacle is held to the highest standard of holiness and reverence.

Exodus 25:39-40 (NKJV)
39 It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils.
40 And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.

The lampstand and its utensils were to be made from a talent of pure gold, signifying the great value and holiness of this sacred object. God reminds Moses once again to follow the exact pattern He was shown on the mountain. This underscores the importance of divine order in worship and the Tabernacle’s construction. God’s instructions are not open to interpretation or alteration; they are precise, reflecting His perfection and the sacred nature of His dwelling among His people.