Overview:

Exodus 36 marks the continuation of the construction of the Tabernacle, led by Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled workers. The people of Israel respond so generously with their offerings that Moses must command them to stop bringing more materials. The skilled workers then begin the work of building the Tabernacle, starting with its structure, including the curtains, frames, and other foundational elements. This chapter emphasizes the willingness of the people to give to God’s work, the value of skilled labor in worship, and the meticulous obedience to God’s instructions.

Key themes in this chapter include the importance of giving to God’s work, the value of skilled craftsmanship in worship, and the importance of obedience to God’s detailed commands. Ultimately, this chapter points forward to the New Testament’s teaching on the body of Christ, where each believer contributes to building up the church with their unique gifts and resources.

Historical and Literary Context:

Exodus 36 continues the narrative of the construction of the Tabernacle, following the earlier chapters where God gave specific instructions for its design. The Israelites’ willingness to give generously for the work of the Tabernacle is emphasized, demonstrating their restored relationship with God after the golden calf incident. The chapter focuses on the construction of the Tabernacle itself, highlighting the obedience of the workers to follow God’s exact specifications.

Literarily, this chapter is part of the broader section of Exodus that deals with the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the meticulous attention to detail in following God’s commands. The generosity of the people and the skill of the workers reflect the communal effort required to create a dwelling place for God.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points:

The Generosity of God’s People in Giving:

The chapter begins by highlighting the overwhelming generosity of the people in their contributions to the construction of the Tabernacle. Their willingness to give so much that Moses has to stop them from bringing more materials reflects their wholehearted devotion to God.

“And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.’ Then Moses gave an order… and so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work” (Exodus 36:3-7).

This extraordinary generosity points to the principle that God’s work is funded by the willing contributions of His people. It also reflects the joy that comes from participating in God’s purposes. The people’s willingness to give parallels the New Testament teaching on cheerful giving, where believers are encouraged to give generously and from the heart (2 Corinthians 9:7).

The Value of Skilled Labor in Worship:

The chapter emphasizes the role of skilled workers in the construction of the Tabernacle. Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen work with precision and care to carry out the intricate details of the Tabernacle’s design.

“All those who were skilled among the workers made the Tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands” (Exodus 36:8).

The detailed craftsmanship required for the Tabernacle reflects the importance of offering God the best in worship. The work of the craftsmen was not merely practical; it was a form of worship in itself. This principle applies to believers today, where the use of God-given skills and talents in serving the church and in daily life is seen as an act of worship (Colossians 3:23-24).

Obedience to God’s Specific Instructions:

Throughout the chapter, the careful attention to following God’s exact instructions for the Tabernacle is emphasized. The workers do not deviate from the plan given to Moses but follow it meticulously.

“They made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the Tabernacle—eleven altogether. All eleven curtains were the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide” (Exodus 36:14-15).

This obedience to detail underscores the importance of following God’s commands precisely. In a broader theological sense, this reflects the believer’s call to obey God’s Word fully, trusting that His instructions are good and lead to life (Deuteronomy 30:16).

The Collective Effort of the Community:

The entire community of Israel is involved in the construction of the Tabernacle, whether through giving resources or contributing their skills. This collective effort reflects the unity and shared responsibility of the people in carrying out God’s work.

“All the women who were skilled spun with their hands and brought what they had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair” (Exodus 35:25-26).

This collective participation mirrors the New Testament teaching on the body of Christ, where each member contributes to the whole, using their unique gifts for the building up of the church (Romans 12:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Exodus 36:1-4:

“So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded. Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary.”

The chapter begins by reiterating that the work on the Tabernacle is to be done exactly as the Lord commanded. Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled workers are equipped by God with the necessary abilities to complete the task, and they receive the offerings from the people to begin the work.

Exodus 36:5-7:

“And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.’ Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.”

The people’s generosity is so overwhelming that the workers report having more than enough materials for the work. Moses orders the people to stop bringing offerings, demonstrating the abundance that results from a willing heart.

Exodus 36:8-13:

“All those who were skilled among the workers made the Tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands. All the curtains were the same size—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide. They joined five of the curtains together and did the same with the other five. Then they made loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and the same was done with the end curtain in the other set.”

The workers begin the construction of the Tabernacle, starting with the curtains. The detailed description of the curtains and their dimensions reflects the precision and care that the workers took in following God’s instructions. The cherubim woven into the fabric symbolize the holiness of God’s presence.

Exodus 36:14-19:

“They made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the Tabernacle—eleven altogether. All eleven curtains were the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide… They made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.”

The next step in the construction is the outer covering of the Tabernacle, made of goat hair and durable leather. These layers provided protection for the sacred space inside, emphasizing the importance of guarding the holiness of God’s dwelling place.

Exodus 36:20-30:

“They made upright frames of acacia wood for the Tabernacle. Each frame was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide… They made twenty frames for the south side of the Tabernacle… and they made forty silver bases to go under them—two bases for each frame.”

The workers then construct the wooden frames that form the structure of the Tabernacle. The frames are made of acacia wood and are designed to be portable, reflecting Israel’s journey through the wilderness. The silver bases symbolize the foundation of God’s dwelling place, which is established on a firm and valuable base.

Exodus 36:31-38:

“They also made crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the Tabernacle, five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the Tabernacle… They made the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. They made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold.”

The chapter concludes with the construction of the crossbars and the curtain for the entrance to the Most Holy Place. The intricate detail and craftsmanship reflect the sacredness of the space and the care taken in building a place where God would dwell among His people.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ:

Exodus 36 reveals several important theological truths about generosity, skilled labor, obedience, and the collective effort required in God’s work. The people’s overwhelming generosity in giving to the construction of the Tabernacle reflects a heart of worship and devotion to God. This mirrors the New Testament principle that giving should be done willingly and joyfully, as an act of worship (2 Corinthians 9:7).

The role of skilled workers in building the Tabernacle emphasizes the value of using God-given talents for His glory. Just as the workers were equipped by the Spirit of God to carry out the intricate details of the Tabernacle, believers today are given spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ and build up the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

The construction of the Tabernacle according to God’s exact instructions points to the importance of obedience to His Word. This meticulous obedience reflects the believer’s call to follow God’s commands fully, trusting that His instructions lead to life and blessing (John 14:15).

Ultimately, the Tabernacle points forward to Jesus Christ, who is the true dwelling place of God among His people (John 1:14). Through Christ, believers are invited into the presence of God, and the church is now the temple of the Holy Spirit, where God dwells among His people (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

Sermon Outline and Flow:

1. Introduction: The Joy of Giving and Serving in God’s Work
   • Set the context for Exodus 36, focusing on the generosity of the people and the skilled labor required for the construction of the Tabernacle.
   • Introduce the themes of giving, skilled labor, obedience, and collective participation in God’s work.
2. Point 1: The Generosity of God’s People
   • Discuss the overwhelming generosity of the people in bringing more than enough materials for the construction of the Tabernacle.
   • Application: How can believers cultivate a spirit of generosity in their giving, recognizing that God’s work is supported by the willing contributions of His people?
3. Point 2: The Value of Skilled Labor in Worship
   • Highlight the role of Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled workers in constructing the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of using God-given talents for His glory.
   • Application: How can believers use their skills and talents to serve God, seeing their work as an act of worship?
4. Point 3: Obedience to God’s Instructions
   • Explore the careful obedience of the workers in following God’s exact instructions for the Tabernacle’s construction, reflecting the importance of obeying God’s Word fully.
   • Application: How can believers seek to obey God’s commands in every aspect of their lives, trusting that His instructions are good and lead to life?
5. Point 4: The Collective Effort of the Community
   • Discuss the unity and participation of the entire Israelite community in the construction of the Tabernacle, with each person contributing according to their resources and skills.
   • Application: How can the church today reflect this collective participation in the work of building God’s kingdom, with each member contributing their unique gifts and abilities?

Illustrations and Examples:

• Share a personal story or historical example of a community coming together to accomplish a significant task, drawing parallels to the collective effort of the Israelites in building the Tabernacle.
• Use a metaphor of a symphony orchestra, where each musician contributes their unique talent to create a harmonious whole, to illustrate the collective effort of the community in God’s work.

Application for Today’s Christian:

Exodus 36 challenges believers to consider how they are contributing to the work of building God’s kingdom. The overwhelming generosity of the Israelites serves as a model for believers today, encouraging them to give willingly and joyfully to support God’s work. Whether through financial giving, using their talents, or serving in practical ways, every believer has something to contribute to the work of the church.

The role of skilled workers in the construction of the Tabernacle emphasizes the value of using God-given talents and skills for His glory. Believers are called to view their work, whether in the church or in their daily lives, as an act of worship, offering their best to God.

The meticulous obedience of the workers in following God’s instructions for the Tabernacle reflects the importance of obeying God’s Word fully. Believers are called to live lives of obedience, trusting that God’s commands are good and lead to life.

Finally, the collective effort of the entire Israelite community in building the Tabernacle reflects the unity and participation required in the body of Christ. Just as each Israelite contributed according to their resources and skills, each member of the church is called to use their unique gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.

Connection to the Father in Exodus 36:

God the Father’s provision and sovereignty are evident in Exodus 36. He provides the resources and skills needed for the construction of the Tabernacle through the willing contributions of His people. The Father’s desire to dwell among His people is central to the chapter, as the Tabernacle represents His presence with Israel. This desire is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, through whom believers experience the indwelling presence of God.

Connection to Jesus Christ in Exodus 36:

Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Tabernacle, as He is the true dwelling place of God among His people (John 1:14). Just as the Israelites contributed their resources and skills to build the Tabernacle, believers are called to build up the body of Christ through their gifts and service. Christ invites believers into His rest, fulfilling the Sabbath command, and through His sacrificial work, He enables them to serve God with joy and generosity (Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:9-10).

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Exodus 36:

The Holy Spirit’s role is seen in the empowerment of Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled workers, who are filled with wisdom, understanding, and skill to lead the construction of the Tabernacle. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the Spirit equipping believers for service. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to each believer for the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Just as Bezalel and Oholiab were equipped for the work of the Tabernacle, believers today are empowered by the Spirit to use their gifts for God’s glory.

Connection to God’s Love in Exodus 36:

God’s love is evident in His provision for the construction of the Tabernacle, as the people respond to His call with overwhelming generosity. The Tabernacle itself is a reflection of God’s desire to dwell among His people, demonstrating His love and faithfulness. This love is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who makes it possible for believers to experience God’s presence and participate in His work. Through Christ, believers are invited to contribute to the building of God’s kingdom and reflect His love to the world.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the generosity of the Israelites in Exodus 36 challenge you to consider your own giving to God’s work, and how can you cultivate a spirit of cheerful and willing giving?
2. In what ways can you use the gifts and talents God has given you to serve Him and build up the body of Christ, following the example of Bezalel and Oholiab?
3. How can you seek to obey God’s Word fully, trusting that His instructions are good and lead to life, even in the small details of your daily life?
4. How can your church or community reflect the collective effort of the Israelites in building the Tabernacle, with each member contributing their unique gifts and resources to the work of building God’s kingdom?
5. How does the connection between generosity, skilled labor, and obedience in Exodus 36 inspire you to participate more fully in God’s work, whether through giving, serving, or using your talents for His glory?