Exodus 36-Moses Appoints Bezalel And Oholiab, Restrains Israelites From Giving And The Construction Of The Tabernacle Proper
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Sunday November 18, 2012
Journey Through The Bible Series: Exodus 36-Moses Appoints Bezalel And Oholiab, Restrains Israelites From Giving And The Construction Of The Tabernacle Proper
Lesson # 61
Please turn in your Bibles to Exodus 36:1.
Chapter 36 focuses upon the Israelites supplying the materials for the construction of the tabernacle as well as the construction of the tabernacle proper.
The following is an outline of Exodus chapter 36: (I) Moses appoints and endorses Bezalel and Oholiab as overseers of the tabernacle project (verse 1) (II) Moses has to restrain Israelites from giving to the project because of their generosity (verses 2-7) (III) Israelites proceed with the construction of the tabernacle proper (verses 8-39).
Exodus 36:1 “Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.” (NASB95)
This verse is actually connected to chapter 35 since it continues as well as completes in summary fashion the Lord’s appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab to oversee the tabernacle project and those who would serve under their authority as skilled workmen.
Like Bezalel and Oholiab, these skilled workmen received their skill to complete this project from God.
Exodus 36:2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. 3 They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, 5 and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.” 6 So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.” Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. 7 For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it. (NASB95)
These verses reveal that the Israelites were extremely generous in providing the materials for the tabernacle project.
So much so, that Moses had to order the people to stop bringing materials to the workmen since they had enough to complete the project.
Verses 2-7 thus tell the reader that the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s command in Exodus 35:4-9 to take up an offering for the materials to build the tabernacle, which appeared in Exodus 25:1-7.
Exodus 25:2, 35:5 and 36:2-7 teach a basic principle of giving, namely that offerings to the Lord are to be voluntary and spontaneous and without coercion.
Wanting to give to the Lord is still basic in dedicating anything to the Lord.
This principle is emphasized in 1 Chronicles 29:5, 1 Corinthians 9:17, 2 Corinthians 9:7 and 1 Peter 5:2.
The fact that the Israelites obeyed this command enthusiastically demonstrated that they had repented from committing the sin of worshipping the golden calf.
Exodus 36:2-7 reveals that the Israelites were cheerful and enthusiastic givers to the work of the Lord, which is an excellent example for church age believers to follow today.
Exodus 36:8 All the skillful men among those who were performing the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material, with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman, Bezalel made them. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits (forty-two feet) and the width of each curtain four cubits (six feet); all the curtains had the same measurements. 10 He joined five curtains to one another and the other five curtains he joined to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set; he did likewise on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second set. 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set; the loops were opposite each other. 13 He made fifty clasps of gold and joined the curtains to one another with the clasps, so the tabernacle was a unit. 14 Then he made curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle; he made eleven curtains in all. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits (forty-five feet) and four cubits (six feet) the width of each curtain; the eleven curtains had the same measurements. 16 He joined five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves. 17 Moreover, he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the first set, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second set. 18 He made fifty clasps of bronze to join the tent together so that it would be a unit. 19 He made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of porpoise skins above. 20 Then he made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. 21 Ten cubits (fifteen feet) was the length of each board and one and a half cubits (two and a quarter feet) the width of each board. 22 There were two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; thus he did for all the boards of the tabernacle. 23 He made the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards for the south side; 24 and he made forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for its two tenons and two sockets under another board for its two tenons. 25 Then for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards, 26 and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board. 27 For the rear of the tabernacle, to the west, he made six boards. 28 He made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear. 29 They were double beneath, and together they were complete to its top to the first ring; thus he did with both of them for the two corners. 30 There were eight boards with their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets, two under every board. 31 Then he made bars of acacia wood, five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the rear side to the west. 33 He made the middle bar to pass through in the center of the boards from end to end. 34 He overlaid the boards with gold and made their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold. 35 Moreover, he made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen; he made it with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 36 He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold, with their hooks of gold; and he cast four sockets of silver for them. 37 He made a screen for the doorway of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver; 38 and he made its five pillars with their hooks, and he overlaid their tops and their bands with gold; but their five sockets were of bronze. (NASB95)
Exodus 36:8-38 records the construction of the tabernacle proper, which fulfilled the Lord’s command to do as recorded in Exodus chapter 26.
Exodus 36:8-13 duplicates but in the past tense the fulfillment of the Lord’s commands which appear in Exodus 26:1-6.
Exodus 36:8-13 indicates that the Israelites carried out precisely the Lord’s commands in Exodus 26:1-6.
Both passages make clear to the reader that the tabernacle was made with ten curtains.
Exodus 36:14-19 describes for the reader the fulfillment of the Lord’s commands which appear in Exodus 26:7-14.
This paragraph describes the fulfillment of what was commanded in 26:7-14 but shortens the description with summations at various points.
Exodus 36:14-19 and 26:7-14 tell the reader that another set of curtains hung over the colorful curtains that hung within the tabernacle and formed its walls, ceiling and back.
Exodus 36:20-30 records the Israelites obeying the Lord’s commands in Exodus 26:15-25.
In the former, Moses repeats almost verbatim with regards to the latter.
Exodus 36:31-34 records the Israelites obeying the Lord’s commands in Exodus 26:26-29.
Exodus 36:35-38 records the Israelites fulfilling the Lord’s commands in Exodus 26:31-37, which address the design of the veil in front of the Holy of Holies and the entrance curtain and its support posts.
Exodus 36:35-38 and 26:31-37 also teach that this special curtain hung from four gold-covered poles that had silver bases.
The ark rested behind this curtain in the most holy place and in front of it would be a table and lampstand.
This special veil typified the physical death of the impeccable humanity of Jesus Christ in hypostatic union (Hebrews 10:20; cf. Matthew 27:50-51; Mark 15:37-38; Luke 23:45-46).
Exodus 26:36-37 and Exodus 36:37-38 teach that there was yet another curtain, which was not part of the ten that formed the interior sides and ceiling.
It was distinct from the dividing veil in front of the holy of holies/most holy place and hung at the front of the tabernacle and served as an entrance curtain.