A House for God

The TabernacleExodus 25-40

Exodus in Overview

• Struggles (1-19)• Pharaoh vs. Israel• Moses’ survival and leadership

training• Yahweh vs. Pharaoh• Israel’s survival and wilderness

travels

• Stipulations (20-24)• Symbols (25-40)

Exodus 25-40

• Preparations and Plans for the Tabernacle (25-31)

• The “Golden Calf” Incident (32-34)• Construction & Dedication of the

Tabernacle (35-40)

Preparations & Plans for the Tabernacle (25-31)• Offerings for the Tabernacle (25:1-7)

• The Israelites were slaves! Where did these things come from? (see Exodus 12:33-36)

• Plans for Tabernacle Furnishings (25:8-27:21)

• Plans for Priests (28-29)• Uniforms (28)• Consecration (29)

• Finishing Touches (30-31)

The “Golden Calf” Incident (32-34)

• Moses’ delay on the mountain breeds frustration among the people

• The young bull was the symbol of strength in Egypt• Yahweh is offended by the use of an Egyptian symbol to

identify the divine redemptive power• Moses’ & Aaron’s tribe (Levites) rally to avenge

Yahweh’s disgrace; therefore they became keepers of the House of God

• Yahweh wishes to break covenant with Israel & start over with Moses’ family

• Moses argues against this for two reasons:• Yahweh made the covenant! It cannot be broken!• What would the nations say if Yahweh quit now?!

• Yahweh agrees to renew the covenant

General Notes

• “Tent of Meeting” – first referred to a tent set up by Moses outside the camp; later referred to Tabernacle

• Covenant summary is inscribed on two stone tablets

• Moses sees a portion of God’s glory; his face shines (see 2 Corinthians 3:7-18)

• Bezalel & Oholiab are the chief architects & designers of the Tabernacle

What was the Tabernacle

• A sacred site?• A shrine for religious ceremonies?• Remember the “two copies” of the

covenant summary?• One for King• One for people• For Israelites—both kept in the same place!

• The Tabernacle is God’s home among God’s people! (see John 1:14)