THE MAKING OF THE ARK THE MAKING OF THE TABLE THE …biblestudyworkshop.com/download/old/exodus/Exodus 37 by... · 2015-10-27 · Commentary and Questions by Wayne Harlan Landmark

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1

Commentary and Questions by Wayne Harlan

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

THE MAKING OF THE ARK

THE MAKING OF THE TABLE

THE MAKING OF THE LAMPSTAND

THE MAKING OF THE ALTAR OF INCENSE

EXODUS 37:1-29




THE MAKING OF THE ARK

THE MAKING OF THE TABLE

THE MAKING OF THE LAMPSTAND

THE MAKING OF THE ALTAR OF INCENSE

Text:

Exodus 37:1-29,

1. Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its length was

three feet nine inches, its width two feet three inches,

and its height two feet three inches. 2. He overlaid it with pure gold, inside and out, and he made a surrounding border of gold for it.

3. He cast four gold rings for it that he put on its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other

side.

4. He made poles of acacia wood, overlaid them with

gold, 5. and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark

in order to carry the ark.

6. He made an atonement lid of pure gold; its length was three feet nine inches, and its width was two feet three

inches.

7. He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of

hammered metal on the two ends of the atonement lid,




8. one cherub on one end and one cherub on the other

end. He made the cherubim from the atonement lid on its

two ends. 9. The cherubim were spreading their wings upward, overshadowing the atonement lid with their wings. The

cherubim faced each other, looking toward the

atonement lid. 10. He made the table of acacia wood; its length was

three feet, its width one foot six inches, and its height

two feet three inches.

11. He overlaid it with pure gold, and he made a surrounding border of gold for it.

12. He made a surrounding frame for it about three

inches wide, and he made a surrounding border of gold for its frame.

13. He cast four gold rings for it and attached the rings at

the four corners where its four legs were. 14. The rings were close to the frame to provide places

for the poles to carry the table. 15. He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them

with gold, to carry the table. 16. He made the vessels which were on the table out of

pure gold, its plates, its ladles, its pitchers, and its bowls,

to be used in pouring out offerings. 17. He made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the

lampstand of hammered metal; its base and its shaft, its

cups, its buds, and its blossoms were from the same

piece. 18. Six branches were extending from its sides, three

branches of the lampstand from one side of it, and three

branches of the lampstand from the other side of it.




19. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and

blossoms were on the first branch, and three cups shaped

like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on the next branch, and the same for the six branches that were extending from the lampstand.

20. On the lampstand there were four cups shaped like

almond flowers with buds and blossoms, 21. with a bud under the first two branches from it, and a

bud under the next two branches from it, and a bud under

the third two branches from it; according to the six

branches that extended from it. 22. Their buds and their branches were of one piece; all of

it was one hammered piece of pure gold.

23. He made its seven lamps, its trimmers, and its trays of pure gold.

24. He made the lampstand and all its accessories with

seventy-five pounds of pure gold. 25. He made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length

was a foot and a half and its width a foot and a half—a square—and its height was three feet. Its horns were of

one piece with it. 26. He overlaid it with pure gold—its top, its four walls,

and its horns—and he made a surrounding border of gold

for it. 27. He also made two gold rings for it under its border, on

its two sides, on opposite sides, as places for poles to

carry it with.

28. He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

29. He made the sacred anointing oil and the pure

fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer. (NET)




Introduction:

I. Main points: . . .

A. The making of the ark (1-9), . . .

1. The history of the ark.

B. The making of the table (10-16), . . .

C. The making of the lampstand (17-24), and . . .

D. The making of the altar of incense (25-29).

II. Key quote: Exodus 37:1, Bezalel made the ark of acacia

wood; its length was three feet nine inches, its width two

feet three inches, and its height two feet three inches. (NET)

Commentary:

The Making of the Ark I. The making of the Ark (Exodus 37:1-9, Bezalel made the

ark of acacia wood; its length was three feet nine inches,

its width two feet three inches, and its height two feet three inches. He overlaid it with pure gold, inside and out,

and he made a surrounding border of gold for it. He cast

four gold rings for it that he put on its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other side. He

made poles of acacia wood, overlaid them with gold, and

put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in




order to carry the ark. He made an atonement lid of pure

gold; its length was three feet nine inches, and its width

was two feet three inches. He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered metal on the two ends of the atonement lid, one cherub on one end and one

cherub on the other end. He made the cherubim from the

atonement lid on its two ends. The cherubim were spreading their wings upward, overshadowing the

atonement lid with their wings. The cherubim faced each

other, looking toward the atonement lid. (NET))

A. These verses cover details previously recorded in Exodus

25:10-21 regarding the construction of the ark, the mercy

seat and cherubim just as Moses had been instructed on Mt. Sinai.

1. Exodus 25:10-21, “They are to make an ark of acacia wood—its length is to be three feet nine

inches, its width two feet three inches, and its height two feet three inches. You are to overlay

it with pure gold—both inside and outside you must overlay it, and you are to make a

surrounding border of gold over it. You are to

cast four gold rings for it and put them on its four feet, with two rings on one side and two

rings on the other side. You are to make poles of

acacia wood, overlay them with gold, and put

the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with them. The poles must

remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be

removed from it. You are to put into the ark the testimony that I will give to you. “You are to




make an atonement lid of pure gold; its length is

to be three feet nine inches, and its width is to

be two feet three inches. You are to make two cherubim of gold; you are to make them of hammered metal on the two ends of the

atonement lid. Make one cherub on one end and

one cherub on the other end; from the atonement lid you are to make the cherubim on

the two ends. The cherubim are to be spreading

their wings upward, overshadowing the

atonement lid with their wings, and the cherubim are to face each other, looking toward

the atonement lid. You are to put the atonement

lid on top of the ark, and in the ark you are to put the testimony I am giving you. (NET)

B. In verse 1 of this chapter Moses credited Bezalel as constructing the ark. In Deuteronomy he wrote that the

Lord commanded him to build the ark for the new stone tablets.

1. Deuteronomy 10:1-5, At that same time the

Lord said to me, “Carve out for yourself two

stone tablets like the first ones and come up the mountain to me; also make for yourself a

wooden ark. I will write on the tablets the same

words that were on the first tablets you broke,

and you must put them into the ark.” So I made an ark of acacia wood and carved out two stone

tablets just like the first ones. Then I went up

the mountain with the two tablets in my hands. The Lord then wrote on the tablets the same




words, the ten commandments, which he had

spoken to you at the mountain from the middle

of the fire at the time of that assembly, and he gave them to me. Then I turned, went down the mountain, and placed the tablets into the ark I

had made—they are still there, just as the Lord

commanded me. (NET)

C. The history of the ark: To appreciate the importance of

the ark to the Israelites it is necessary to trace its history as

recorded in the Old Testament.

1. The ark was made after Moses destroyed the golden

calf.

a. Deuteronomy 10:1-2, At that same time

the Lord said to me, “Carve out for yourself two stone tablets like the first ones and

come up the mountain to me; also make for yourself a wooden ark. I will write on the

tablets the same words that were on the first tablets you broke, and you must put

them into the ark.” (NET)

2. The ark was the first thing to be placed in the

tabernacle.

a. Exodus 40:18-21, When Moses set up the tabernacle and put its bases in place, he set

up its frames, attached its bars, and set up

its posts. Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent




over it, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

He took the testimony and put it in the ark,

attached the poles to the ark, and then put the atonement lid on the ark. And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, hung

the protecting curtain, and shielded the ark

of the testimony from view, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. (NET)

3. The ark was carried before the Israelites as a symbol

of the presence of God as they searched for a resting place in the wilderness.

a. Numbers 10:33-36, So they traveled from the mountain of the Lord three days’

journey; and the ark of the covenant of the

Lord was traveling before them during the three days’ journey, to find a resting place

for them. And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, when they traveled from the

camp. And when the ark traveled, Moses would say, “Rise up, O Lord! May your

enemies be scattered, and may those who

hate you flee before you!” And when it came to rest he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the

many thousands of Israel!” (NET)

4. The ark was with the Israelites as Joshua led them across the Jordan River on dry land and at the capture

of Jericho.




a. Joshua 3:6, 8, 13, 17, Joshua told the

priests, “Pick up the ark of the covenant and

pass on ahead of the people.” So they picked up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people. Instruct the priests carrying

the ark of the covenant, ‘When you reach

the bank of the Jordan River, wade into the water.’” When the feet of the priests

carrying the ark of the Lord, the Ruler of the

whole earth, touch the water of the Jordan,

the water coming downstream toward you will stop flowing and pile up.” The priests

carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord

stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed over on dry

ground until the entire nation was on the

other side. (NET)

b. Joshua 4:3, 6-7, Instruct them, ‘Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the

Jordan, from the very place where the priests stand firmly, and carry them over

with you and put them in the place where

you camp tonight.’” The stones will be a reminder to you. When your children ask

someday, ‘Why are these stones important

to you?’ tell them how the water of the

Jordan stopped flowing before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the

Jordan, the water of the Jordan stopped

flowing. These stones will be a lasting memorial for the Israelites.” (NET)




c. Joshua 6:2-6, 16-20, The Lord told

Joshua, “See, I am about to defeat Jericho for you, along with its king and its warriors. Have all the warriors march around the city

one time; do this for six days. Have seven

priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day march around

the city seven times, while the priests blow

the horns. When you hear the signal from

the ram’s horn, have the whole army give a loud battle cry. Then the city wall will

collapse and the warriors should charge

straight ahead.” So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and instructed them,

“Pick up the ark of the covenant, and seven

priests must carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the Lord.” The seventh

time around, the priests blew the rams’ horns and Joshua told the army, “Give the

battle cry, for the Lord is handing the city over to you! The city and all that is in it must

be set apart for the Lord, except for Rahab

the prostitute and all who are with her in her house, because she hid the spies we

sent. But be careful when you are setting

apart the riches for the Lord. If you take any

of it, you will make the Israelite camp subject to annihilation and cause a disaster.

All the silver and gold, as well as bronze and

iron items, belong to the Lord. They must go into the Lord’s treasury.” The rams’ horns




sounded and when the army heard the

signal, they gave a loud battle cry. The wall

collapsed and the warriors charged straight ahead into the city and captured it. (NET)

5. The ark resided in the tabernacle at Shiloh during

the time Eli was priest there.

a. 1 Samuel 3:2-3, Eli’s eyes had begun to

fail, so that he was unable to see well. At

that time he was lying down in his place, and the lamp of God had not yet been

extinguished. Samuel was lying down in the

temple of the Lord as well; the ark of God was also there. (NET)

6. The ark was captured by the Philistines when the Israelites took it into battle against God’s wishes.

a. 1 Samuel 4:3-5, 10-11, When the army

came back to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why did the Lord let us be defeated

today by the Philistines? Let’s take with us

the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. When it is with us, it will save us

from the hand of our enemies. So the army

sent to Shiloh, and they took from there the

ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts who sits between the cherubim. Now the two

sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, were there

with the ark of the covenant of God. When the ark of the covenant of the Lord arrived




at the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that

the ground shook. So the Philistines fought.

Israel was defeated; they all ran home. The slaughter was very great; thirty thousand foot soldiers fell in battle. The ark of God

was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni

and Phineas, were killed. (NET)

b. God sent plagues upon the Philistines and they

returned the ark.

i. 1 Samuel 5:1-2, 6-7, 11-12, Now the

Philistines had captured the ark of God

and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. The Philistines took the ark of

God and brought it into the temple of

Dagon, where they positioned it beside Dagon. The Lord attacked the residents

of Ashdod severely, bringing devasta-tion on them. He struck the people of

both Ashdod and the surrounding area with sores. When the people of Ashdod

saw what was happening, they said,

“The ark of the God of Israel should not remain with us, for he has attacked

both us and our god Dagon!” So they

assembled all the leaders of the

Philistines and said, “Get the ark of the God of Israel out of here! Let it go back

to its own place so that it won’t kill us

and our people!” The terror of death was throughout the entire city; God




was attacking them very severely there.

The people who did not die were struck

with sores; the city’s cry for help went all the way up to heaven. (NET)

7. The ark was returned to Beth Shemesh.

a. God punished the people of Beth Shemesh for

removing the lid and looking into the ark.

i. 1 Samuel 6:19, But the Lord struck down some of the people of Beth

Shemesh because they had looked into

the ark of the Lord; he struck down 50,070 of the men. The people grieved

because the Lord had struck the people

with a hard blow. (NET)

8. The people of Beth Shemesh sent the ark to Kiriath Jearim where it remained under the care of Eleazer for

twenty (20) years.

a. 1 Samuel 6:21, So they sent messengers

to the residents of Kiriath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the

Lord. Come down here and take it back

home with you.” (NET)

b. 1 Samuel 7:1-2, Then the people of Kiriath

Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord;

they brought it to the house of Abinadab located on the hill. They consecrated Eleazar




his son to guard the ark of the Lord. It was

quite a long time—some twenty years in

all—that the ark stayed at Kiriath Jearim. All the people of Israel longed for the Lord. (NET)

9. David brought the ark to Jerusalem.

a. 2 Samuel 6:12, 15, 17, David was told,

“The Lord has blessed the family of Obed-

Edom and everything he owns because of the ark of God.” So David went and joyfully

brought the ark of God from the house of

Obed-Edom to the City of David. David and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the

Lord, shouting and blowing trumpets. They

brought the ark of the Lord and put it in its place in the middle of the tent that David

had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before the

Lord. (NET)

10. During the time of Absalom’s rebellion the Levite

priests removed the ark from Jerusalem, but David ordered them to return it.

a. 2 Samuel 15:25-26, 29, Then the king said

to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back to the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s sight he will

bring me back and enable me to see both it

and his dwelling place again. However, if he should say, ‘I do not take pleasure in you,’




then he will deal with me in a way that he

considers appropriate.” So Zadok and

Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and remained there. (NET)

11. King Solomon moved the ark into the new temple

he constructed.

a. 1 Kings 8:1-3, 6, Then Solomon convened

in Jerusalem Israel’s elders, all the leaders

of the Israelite tribes and families, so they could witness the transferal of the ark of the

Lord’s covenant from the City of David (that

is, Zion). All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon during the festival in

the month Ethanim (the seventh month).

When all Israel’s elders had arrived, the priests lifted the ark. The priests brought

the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its assigned place in the inner sanctuary of the

temple, in the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim. (NET)

12. Nebuchadnezzer, king of Babylon, besieged and destroyed Jerusalem in 587 B.C. and plundered every

item of value including the sacred items from the

temple.

a. The ark of the covenant was never seen again

and no records of its fate have been recovered.




i. 2 Kings 24:20; 25:1-2, 9-10, 13-16,

What follows is a record of what

happened to Jerusalem and Judah because of the Lord’s anger; he finally threw them out of his presence.

Zedekiah rebelled against the king of

Babylon. So King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem with

his whole army and set up camp outside

it. They built siege ramps all around it.

He arrived on the tenth day of the tenth month in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s

reign. The city remained under siege

until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. He burned down the Lord’s temple, the

royal palace, and all the houses in

Jerusalem, including every large house. The whole Babylonian army that came

with the captain of the royal guard tore down the walls that surrounded

Jerusalem. The Babylonians broke the two bronze pillars in the Lord’s temple,

as well as the movable stands and the

big bronze basin called “The Sea.” They took the bronze to Babylon. They also

took the pots, shovels, trimming shears,

pans, and all the bronze utensils used

by the priests. The captain of the royal guard took the golden and silver

censers and basins. The bronze of the

items that King Solomon made for the Lord’s temple—including the two pillars,




the big bronze basin called “The Sea,”

the twelve bronze bulls under “The

Sea,” and the movable stands—was too heavy to be weighed. (NET)

13. John recorded in the book of Revelation that we will

see the ark of the covenant when we are at last in the presence of God.

a. Revelation 11:19, Then the temple of God

in heaven was opened and the ark of his covenant was visible within his temple. And

there were flashes of lightning, roaring,

crashes of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. (NET)

The Making of the Table

II. The making of the table (Exodus 37:10-16, He made the table of acacia wood; its length was three feet, its width

one foot six inches, and its height two feet three inches. He overlaid it with pure gold, and he made a surrounding

border of gold for it. He made a surrounding frame for it about three inches wide, and he made a surrounding

border of gold for its frame. He cast four gold rings for it

and attached the rings at the four corners where its four legs were. The rings were close to the frame to provide

places for the poles to carry the table. He made the poles

of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. He made the vessels which were on the table out of

pure gold, its plates, its ladles, its pitchers, and its bowls,

to be used in pouring out offerings. (NET))




A. The construction of the table for the showbread is a repeat of the instructions given to Moses in Exodus 25:23-30, “You are to make a table of acacia wood; its

length is to be three feet, its width one foot six

inches, and its height two feet three inches. You are to overlay it with pure gold, and you are to make a

surrounding border of gold for it. You are to make a

surrounding frame for it about three inches broad,

and you are to make a surrounding border of gold for its frame. You are to make four rings of gold for it

and attach the rings at the four corners where its

four legs are. 2 The rings are to be close to the frame to provide places for the poles to carry the table. You

are to make the poles of acacia wood and overlay

them with gold, so that the table may be carried with them. You are to make its plates, its ladles, its

pitchers, and its bowls, to be used in pouring out offerings; you are to make them of pure gold. You are

to set the Bread of the Presence on the table before me continually. (NET)

1. The table was constructed of acacia wood overlaid with gold.

2. The four (4) corners had rings attached to

accommodate the poles used to carry the table.

a. The poles were acacia wood overlaid with gold.

3. All of the utensils for the table were made of gold.




B. By using the same wording as the instructions he

received, Moses is showing us that Bezalel and all of the workers were following God’s instructions precisely, without alteration or deviation.

The Making of the Lampstand

III. The making of the lampstand. (Exodus 37:17-24, He

made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand

of hammered metal; its base and its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its blossoms were from the same piece. Six

branches were extending from its sides, three branches of

the lampstand from one side of it, and three branches of the lampstand from the other side of it. Three cups

shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were

on the first branch, and three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on the next branch,

and the same for the six branches that were extending from the lampstand. On the lampstand there were four

cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms, with a bud under the first two branches from it, and a bud

under the next two branches from it, and a bud under the

third two branches from it; according to the six branches that extended from it. Their buds and their branches were

of one piece; all of it was one hammered piece of pure

gold. He made its seven lamps, its trimmers, and its trays

of pure gold. He made the lampstand and all its accessories with seventy-five pounds of pure gold. (NET))

A. Moses again credits the creation of the lampstands to Bezalel by stating, “He made . . .”




B. Bezalel artistically crafted the lampstand and accessories

from seventy-five (75) pounds of pure gold.

C. The description of the completed lampstand is a verbatim

copy of the instructions given to Moses.

1. Exodus 25:31-40, “You are to make a

lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand is to be

made of hammered metal; its base and its shaft,

its cups, its buds, and its blossoms are to be from the same piece. Six branches are to extend

from the sides of the lampstand, three branches

of the lampstand from one side of it and three branches of the lampstand from the other side of

it. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with

buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds

and blossoms are to be on the next branch, and the same for the six branches extending from

the lampstand. On the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds

and blossoms, with a bud under the first two

branches from it, and a bud under the next two branches from it, and a bud under the third two

branches from it, according to the six branches

that extend from the lampstand. Their buds and

their branches will be one piece, all of it one hammered piece of pure gold. “You are to make

its seven lamps, and then set its lamps up on it,

so that it will give light to the area in front of it. Its trimmers and its trays are to be of pure gold.




About seventy-five pounds of pure gold is to be

used for it and for all these utensils. Now be sure

to make them according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain. (NET)

D. Lamps or lights were used symbolically in the Bible.

1. Light was the first thing God created.

a. Genesis 1:1-4, In the beginning God

created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was without shape and empty, and

darkness was over the surface of the watery

deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water. God said, “Let

there be light.” And there was light! God

saw that the light was good, so God separated the light from the darkness. (NET)

2. Light symbolizes the presence of God.

a. Psalm 43:3, Reveal your light and your

faithfulness! They will lead me, they will

escort me back to your holy hill, and to the place where you live. (NET)

b. Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to

walk by, and a light to illumine my path. (NET)

c. 1 John 1:5, Now this is the gospel message we have heard from him and




announce to you: God is light, and in him

there is no darkness at all. (NET)

d. 2 Samuel 22:29, Indeed, you are my lamp, Lord. The Lord illumines the darkness

around me. (NET)

3. Light also represented righteousness.

a. Proverbs 13:9, The light of the righteous

shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked goes out. (NET)

b. Matthew 5:14, 16, You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be

hidden. In the same way, let your light shine

before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in

heaven. (NET)

c. Psalm 97:11, The godly bask in the light; the morally upright experience joy. (NTE)

d. Psalm 112:4, In the darkness a light shines for the godly, for each one who is

merciful, compassionate, and just. (NET)

4. Light was representative of Jesus.

a. John 1:9, The true light, who gives light to

everyone, was coming into the world. (NET)




b. John 8:12, Then Jesus spoke out again, “I

am the light of the world. The one who

follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NET)

c. John 9:5, As long as I am in the world, I

am the light of the world.” (NET)

d. Isaiah 42:6, “I, the Lord, officially

commission you; I take hold of your hand. I

protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light to the

nations, (NET)

The Making of the Altar of Incense IV. The making of the altar of incense. (Exodus 37:25-29, He

made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length was a

foot and a half and its width a foot and a half—a square—and its height was three feet. Its horns were of one piece

with it. He overlaid it with pure gold—its top, its four walls, and its horns—and he made a surrounding border

of gold for it. He also made two gold rings for it under its border, on its two sides, on opposite sides, as places for

poles to carry it with. He made the poles of acacia wood

and overlaid them with gold. He made the sacred anointing oil and the pure fragrant incense, the work of a

perfumer. (NET))

A. Bezalel is again shown as the craftsman who built the

altar of incense.




1. We can be fairly certain that Oholiab and the other

craftsmen who were gifted by the Holy Spirit

participated in part of the construction of these items while Bezalel was responsible for their training and work.

a. Exodus 35:30-31, Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel

son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of

Judah. He has filled him with the Spirit of

God—with skill, with understanding, with knowledge, and in all kinds of work, (NET)

b. Exodus 36:1, So Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person in whom the Lord has

put skill and ability to know how to do all

the work for the service of the sanctuary are to do the work according to all that the Lord

has commanded.” (NET)

B. The description of the constructed altar of incense matches the instructions given to Moses.

1. The altar was a foot and a half square and three feet high.

2. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold.

3. It was fitted with gold covered poles so that it could

be transported.




4. Exodus 30:1-5, “You are to make an altar for

burning incense; you are to make it of acacia

wood. Its length is to be a foot and a half and its width a foot and a half; it will be square. Its height is to be three feet, with its horns of one

piece with it. You are to overlay it with pure

gold—its top, its four walls, and its horns—and make a surrounding border of gold for it. You are

to make two gold rings for it under its border, on

its two flanks; you are to make them on its two

sides. The rings will be places for poles to carry it with. You are to make the poles of acacia

wood and overlay them with gold. (NET)

Conclusion:

I. Follow the word of God.

A. Moses understood the importance of strict adherence to the word of God.

B. He understood and followed God’s instructions exactly.

C. He was blessed with Bezalel, Oholiab and all of the workers who were moved by the Holy Spirit to do the work

of the Lord.

1. They were committed to build the tabernacle exactly as God wanted it.

a. Exodus 25:8-9, Let them make for me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them.




According to all that I am showing you—the

pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of

all its furnishings—you must make it exactly so. (NET)

b. Exodus 31:2-3, 6, “See, I have chosen

Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the

Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in

knowledge, and in all kinds of

craftsmanship, Moreover, I have also given him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe

of Dan, and I have given ability to all the

specially skilled, that they may make everything I have commanded you: (NET)

D. This obedience to the commandments of God was the key to the Israelites receiving God’s blessings in the future.

1. Deuteronomy 13:4, You must follow the Lord

your God and revere only him; and you must observe his commandments, obey him, serve

him, and remain loyal to him. (NET)

2. Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 9-10, “If you indeed

obey the Lord your God and are careful to

observe all his commandments I am giving you

today, the Lord your God will elevate you above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings

will come to you in abundance if you obey the

Lord your God: The Lord will designate you as his holy people just as he promised you, if you keep




his commandments and obey him. Then all the

peoples of the earth will see that you belong to

the Lord, and they will respect you. (NET)

E. Moses was able to accomplish this through his faith in

God.

1. God saw the faithfulness of Moses and chose him to

lead his people to the promised land.

a. Hebrews 11:24-25, 27-29, By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the

son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather

to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. By faith he

left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger,

for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible. By faith he kept the

Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn

would not touch them. By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when

the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed

up. (NET)

F. Because of our faith in Christ we are obedient to the word

of God.

1. Without faith there would be no obedience.

a. What would be the point of obedience without faith?




1. There would be none.

2. But we who have faith long to be obedient to God for it is in obedience that we show our faith in Him.

a. Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what

we do not see. (NET)

b. Romans 1:5, Through him we have received grace and our apostleship to bring

about the obedience of faith among all the

Gentiles on behalf of his name. (NET)

c. Proverbs 28:20a, A faithful person will

have an abundance of blessings, (NET)

d. 1 Samuel 26:23a, The Lord rewards each man for his integrity and loyalty. (NET)




Questions

on

Exodus 37:1-29

1. The descriptions of the construction of the items for the

tabernacle are an almost exact copy of the instructions given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Explain the reason for this. ______________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

2. The first item built for the tabernacle was _________________

_____________________________________________________

What is the significance of this being first? __________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What did the ark represent to the Israelites? ______________ _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. The first object placed in the tabernacle was ______________




_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. In what year did the Babylonians capture the ark? __________ _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Bezalel crafted the lampstand from _______________ pounds of ________________.

7. List two (2) of the numerous things that light or lamps symbolize in the Bible. __________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

THE MAKING OF THE ARK THE MAKING OF THE TABLE THE …biblestudyworkshop.com/download/old/exodus/Exodus 37 by... · 2015-10-27 · Commentary and Questions by Wayne Harlan Landmark

Documents