Exodus 36

Exodus 36 describes the construction of the Tabernacle as a fulfillment of God's command to Moses. The chapter highlights the skill and devotion of the Israelites in contributing to this sacred project. Bezalel, Oholiab, and other craftsmen, filled with the spirit of God, skillfully begin the work, using the materials provided by the people's offerings.

Exodus 36:1-3 (NKJV)
1 "And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord had put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded."
2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred to come and do the work.
3 And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him free offerings every morning.

The opening verses of Exodus 36 set the stage for the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the divinely inspired skill of Bezalel, Aholiab, and other craftsmen. These artisans are endowed with wisdom from God, ensuring that every detail of the sanctuary meets divine specifications. The passage also highlights the generosity of the Israelites, who bring their offerings each morning, reflecting their commitment to the building of the sanctuary and their worship of God.

Exodus 36:4-7 (NKJV)
4 Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing,
5 and 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.”
6 So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing,
7 for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.

These verses highlight an extraordinary moment in the construction process: the craftsmen report to Moses that the people have provided more than enough resources. In response, Moses issues a command to stop further contributions, demonstrating effective management and stewardship of the resources. This abundance is a testament to the people’s overwhelming generosity and eagerness to participate in the construction of the Tabernacle, marking a moment of communal unity and dedication to God's commandments.

Exodus 36:8-13 (NKJV)
8 Then all the gifted artisans among them who worked on the tabernacle made ten curtains woven of fine linen, and of blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim they made them.
9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; the curtains were all the same size.
10 And he coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another.
11 He made loops of blue yarn on the edge of the curtain on the outermost in one set, likewise he did on the outer edge of the other curtain of the second set.
12 Fifty loops he made in one curtain, and fifty loops he made on the edge of the curtain on the end of the second set; the loops held one curtain to another.
13 And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains to one another with the clasps, so that it became one tabernacle.

These verses detail the meticulous craftsmanship involved in creating the Tabernacle’s curtains, designed with cherubim and vibrant colors signifying heavenly and royal imagery. The precise measurements and techniques used (like the clasps and loops) ensure the structure’s functional and aesthetic integrity. This section not only highlights the skill of the artisans but also the divine inspiration behind the sanctuary’s design, aiming to create a dwelling place for God’s presence among His people.

Exodus 36:14-19 (NKJV)
14 He also made curtains of goats’ hair for the tent over the tabernacle; he made eleven curtains.
15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the width 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 curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops he made on the edge of a curtain of the second set.
18 He also made fifty bronze clasps to couple the tent together, that it might be one.
19 And he made a covering for the tent of ram skins dyed red, and a covering of badger skins above that.

These verses describe the additional layers of the Tabernacle’s covering, made from goats' hair, ram skins dyed red, and badger skins. Each layer serves both practical and symbolic functions, providing protection and signifying sanctity and sacrifice. The use of different materials at each layer reflects a hierarchy of sanctity as one approached the innermost areas of the Tabernacle, where the presence of God would be manifest.

Exodus 36:20-22 (NKJV)
20 And he made boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright.
21 The length of each board was ten cubits, and the width of each board a cubit and a half.
22 Each board had two tenons for coupling. All the boards were made alike.

These verses describe the construction of the Tabernacle's framework using acacia wood, a material noted for its durability and resistance to decay, symbolizing the enduring nature of God’s covenant with Israel. The precise details, such as the measurements and the method of coupling the boards, underscore the careful planning and execution required to create a stable and sacred space for worship.

Exodus 36:23-25 (NKJV)
23 And he made the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side.
24 Forty sockets of silver he made to put under the twenty boards; two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons.
25 And for the other side of the tabernacle, the north side, he made twenty boards

These verses continue to detail the methodical assembly of the Tabernacle, noting the use of silver sockets as foundations for the wooden boards. Silver, a valuable and precious metal, indicates the importance and sanctity of the Tabernacle. The alignment and equal distribution of these materials on both the south and north sides symbolize balance and order in the structure, reflecting divine perfection.

Exodus 36:26-30 (NKJV)
26 and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under each board.
27 For the west side of the tabernacle he made six boards.
28 And he made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the two sides.
29 They were coupled at the bottom and coupled together at the top by one ring, thus he made for both of them at the two corners.
30 There were eight boards and their sockets—sixteen sockets of silver—two sockets under each of the boards.

These verses focus on the construction of the west side and the corners of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the unity and interconnectedness of the structure. The description of the boards being coupled at both the bottom and top by rings ensures the structural integrity and symbolizes the interconnectedness of the community of Israel under one God. The use of silver for the sockets again highlights the Tabernacle’s sanctity and the value placed on the dwelling place of God.

Exodus 36:31-34 (NKJV)
31 And he made bars of acacia wood; five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle,
32 five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward.
33 And he made the middle bar to pass through the boards from one end to the other.
34 He overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be holders for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

This passage describes the reinforcing bars that would hold the boards together, with special attention given to the middle bar running from one end to the other, signifying unity and strength. The use of gold to overlay the boards and bars not only reflects the Tabernacle’s divine purpose but also God's glory filling and sanctifying the space.

Exodus 36:35-38 (NKJV)
35 And he made a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen; it was worked with an artistic design of cherubim.
36 He made for it four pillars of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
37 And he made a screen for the tabernacle door of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver,
38 and its five pillars with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their rings with gold; but their five sockets were of bronze.

The final verses detail the making of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, symbolizing the barrier between God and humanity due to sin, but also the potential for communion through the sacrificial system. The veil, embroidered with cherubim, represents the guarding of the divine presence. The description of the materials—gold, silver, and bronze—used in various parts of the Tabernacle underscores their functional and symbolic significance, reflecting gradations of holiness and accessibility to the presence of God.