Building to Specifications

Exodus 36:8-38:

[The actual text is an account of the details of how the workmen went about following God’s instructions, given earlier to Moses and passed on to them, in every detail. You can read the passage in the Bible.]

Thoughts on the Passage

We summarize here (thanks to David Guzik) the key components being constructed as described in this passage:

1.     The curtains of an artistic design of cherubim (vs. 8-13, following the commanded instructions of Exodus 26:1-6)

2.     The curtains of goat’s hair (vs. 14-18, following the commanded instructions of Exodus 26:7-13)

3.     The curtains of ram’s skin dyed red and badger skins (vs. 19, following the commanded instructions of Exodus 26:14)

4.     The boards and connecting bars for the frame and walls of the tabernacle (vs. 20-34, following the commanded instructions in Exodus 26:15-30)

5.     The veil with its four pillars, and the screen with its five pillars (vs. 35-38, following the commanded instructions in Exodus 26:31-33, 36-37).

One cannot miss the preciseness with which every instruction was followed. That’s the secret to success in any program – follow precisely the instructions of the creator or program designer. That’s how franchises work. That’s how you build beautiful replica models of planes or boats, etc. That’s how you build custom-designed homes. And yet, when it comes to the Lord’s work, we want to do things our way.

Matthew Henry points out that the frame of the Tabernacle was made of curtains, not wood or stone. He believes this is to typify the state of the church in this world – it’s foundation is not in the earth or of this world; it is more akin to what soldiers and shepherds dwelled in, not what the kings of the earth built for themselves; and yet, it was still beautiful with all the embroidery involved.

He goes on to point out that with these curtains God has provided a shelter for His people from the winds and the heat of the desert – something He provides for us. His Church, with Christ as its head, is a shelter in the time of storm for each child of God.

One more thing that I found interesting in this passage was in the first verse (verse 8) that indicates that all that was to follow was made by the “skillful workman, Bezalel” or at least, we may assume under his tutelage.  Thus, throughout the chapter, we note the use of the pronoun ‘he’ in many instances.

No matter how we view the construction of the Tabernacle then, and the building of God’s Kingdom today, we cannot avoid the following:

1.     It belongs to God.

2.     It is being built under His specific instructions.

3.     He identifies and appoints leaders to head up the work.

4.     We have an opportunity to be part of it.

Every one of us needs to ascertain where he/she stands on each of these points if we are to be a part of the team God wants us on and if we are to benefit fully from the joy of serving Him.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.