These small group studies of Exodus 36-40 contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Exodus 36-40 Bible Study – The Tabernacle and the Ark
Outline:
I. The people bring more than enough (1-7)
II. The structure of the tabernacle is built (8-38)
III. The “furniture” for the inside of the tabernacle is built (chapter 37)
IV. The outside parts of the tabernacle and accessories are built (38:1-20)
V. The cost of the tabernacle (38:21-31)
VI. The priestly garments (Chapter 39)
VII. God commands Moses to erect the tabernacle (40:1-8)
VIII. Anoint the utensils and consecrate the priests (9-16)
IX. Moses erects the tabernacle (17-33)
X. The glory of God descends on the tabernacle (34-38)
I. The people bring more than enough (1-7)
Discussion Questions
- Did the people give only one time and then stop?
- What does the text say?
- Is there anything we can learn from this about our own giving?
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. We see here the same points we learned from last week. Firstly, God endowed B and O with special skills to accomplish this work building the tabernacle. He was the one who gave them the skill and understanding.
2. God stirred their hearts to join in the work. The people responded to this stirring. This reminds us of God’s sovereign call and also people’s personal responsibility.
3. The people did not just give one time and stop. They were like the energizer bunny. They kept giving and giving and giving, day after day. They gave as long as their was need. It wasn’t a one time thing. This is true generosity. If their idea was to give as little as possible without feeling ashamed, they would have given one time. This would have soothed their consciences and let them feel good about themselves, but it wouldn’t have met the need. The tabernacle required many materials. It was an ongoing need.
4. Notice that Moses wasn’t greedy. He didn’t try to milk the people for everything he could. They were more than willing to give more, but it wasn’t necessary. B and O had everything that they needed. Once they received all the materials they needed Moses told the people to stop giving. Notice the word used in verse 7. They were “restrained” from giving any more. The idea is that they wanted to, but Moses wouldn’t let them. Are we so eager to give that we have to be “restrained” to be kept from giving? As a leader Moses rightly put the need out and encouraged the people to give (without unduly pressuring or shaming them). Then once the need was met he stopped the campaign. This is a wise and responsible way to collect funds for a project.
V. The cost of the tabernacle (38:21-31)
Discussion Questions
- How much did the tabernacle cost to build in terms of just gold/silver/bronze?
- How much was this per person?
- How much is a shekel?
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Shekels were about half an ounce (1/33 of one pound) and talents were about 74 pounds.
2. When everybody joined together the cost per person wasn’t actually very high. When more people give their time and money to the things of God the burden for each individual is much less.
VI. The priestly garments (Chapter 39)
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Notice in verse 1 the refrain “just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” –
Exodus 39:1 – From the blue and purple and scarlet yarns they made finely woven garments, for ministering in the Holy Place. They made the holy garments for Aaron, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
We see this phrase again and again. It is a reminder that God was the architect of the tabernacle. It was His design, His plans, and His instructions. The people needed to faithfully obey God to duplicate God’s plans for the tabernacle.
2. Verses 30-31 – The crown that the priest was to wear on his head was to be inscribed with the phrase “Holy to the Lord.” This was a continual reminder to the priest about his sacred duty. He was to take his responsibility and calling as a priest very seriously. God Himself called the priests to this task to represent the people to God. They were to continually consecrate themselves and examine their hearts to make sure that they were pure and truly set apart to the Lord. As Christ’s priests and royal ambassadors, we too are to be holy to the Lord. This crown helped the priest at that time remember this sacred calling. We too must remember our sacred calling. We must each day examine our hearts to check if we are being holy to the Lord, if we are setting ourselves apart from the world to dedicate ourselves to God. How can we better ensure that we are always sanctified and living holy, devout lives?
3. Verse 32 – The work of the tabernacle was finally completed. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t cheap. It wasn’t quick. It WAS difficult, expensive, and time consuming. All things worth doing are worth doing well. They didn’t take shortcuts. They didn’t cut corners. They worked hard and diligently to complete this project to the best of their ability. How do you think they felt after this work? I think they felt a measure of satisfaction, contentment, and even “good pride” at what they had accomplished (remembering of course God gave them the skill to do it). Work is not something to be shunned. Work is good. (Gen 2:15). It dates all the way back to the Garden of Eden pre-curse, when Adam and Eve were put in the garden to cultivate it. Work existed even before the curse, so no, it is not a bad thing caused by the curse (though it is certainly more difficult and perhaps less satisfying.)
4. Who was singled out for praise?
No one was singled out for praise. Instead the whole nation (“the sons of Israel”) is shown to have contributed by following God’s instructions. I think God designed it this way to give everybody a part to play. Everybody had a chance to contribute in some way and those who did would feel more attached to the tabernacle and to God. It wasn’t done by one man although some had more prominent roles than others. It was a cooperative effort, a team effort.
5. Verses 42-43 – We see here again that the sons of Israel were obedient in this. After the golden calf incident, God gave them a second chance. They seemed truly repentant and took this second chance and faithfully obeyed God’s instructions to the best of their ability. Moses examined all the work and found it to be “just as the Lord had commanded.” The people had obeyed God to the letter. They didn’t add in their own ideas or designs. They didn’t use loose interpretation. They didn’t add or subtract from what God had said to do. What was the result? Moses blessed them.
Genesis 4:7 – If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Before they had disobeyed and rebelled against God. Moses severely rebuked them and disciplined them harshly as a reminder not to fall away from God again. Apparently the lesson was learned since this time they obey. This time they obey, and Moses blesses them. We see Moses using both positive reinforcement (encouragement when they do well) and negative reinforcement (discipline when they don’t do well.) I’m sure this time the entire camp was joyful and excited and happy. They went to bed that night content knowing they had obeyed God and He was pleased with them. How about you? When I do what is right, I am much more joyful and happy, but when I do what I know is wrong I am miserable and shameful and guilty. True joy doesn’t come from entertainment (they had lots of work they accomplished.) It doesn’t come from being rich (they gave away a lot of their riches). It doesn’t come from being prominent or powerful (they worked as a team and most people worked in the background perhaps doing even menial tasks). True joy comes from doing what is right, from having a close relationship to God.
John 15:9-11 – As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
VII. God commands Moses to erect the tabernacle (40:1-8)
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. From beginning to end, God was the one giving instructions. He told them the design, how to build it, the materials to use, and finally how to erect it. They followed the instructions of God from first to last. This was the reason why they were successful in their endeavor.
Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Application – We must remember not to just start the task God has given us the right way. We must finish it the right way too. Many believers get lost between the start and the finish. Few finish well. A few examples of those who didn’t finish well include Saul, Solomon, and Demas.
2. The high priest would stand with his back to the rising sun to worship God and everyone who entered the courtyard would enter with their back to the rising sun. This is one contrast with many of the pagan religions around them. For many of these, the sun was the object of worship. The sun being the biggest, brightest, and most spectacular created thing we can see. However, as believers, we have something infinitely greater to worship and adore, the God and Creator of the universe. He is the focus of our attention not any created thing, no matter how marvelous.
3. Verse 17. The tabernacle was completed approximately one year after the Exodus. The people had been free for one year. For one year they had seen many miracles of God. It was a very up and down year for them. The last couple of months they had faithfully obeyed God and built the tabernacle. At times they worshiped God with their whole hearts grateful and thankful for what He had done for them. At other times they complained, grumbled, and even worse, outright rebelled against the Lord. Yet through it all, God was gracious and merciful ready to forgive.
Psalms 103:8 – The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Looking back on their first year of freedom, they must have had a lot of regrets about how they had acted.
It is helpful for us to have regular evaluations of our life and choices. One helpful time to do this is each New Year.
Philippians 3:12-14 – Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Application – We have the opportunity to put the past behind us and start afresh like the Israelites did here after building the tabernacle. Will you repent of your past mistakes and put God first moving forward? Will you start well like they did when they worshiped God in Egypt, but then flounder and get off track?
As a believer, what resolution would you like to make? You don’t have to wait for a new year!
Exodus Review
What is is one important thing you have learned from the study of Exodus? What is one application you would like to make? What lessons did you learn? What events do you have a deeper understanding of?
Comment – What did you think of this Bible study on Exodus 36-40? We would love to hear your thoughts. Share below in the comment section.
