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)