And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,
Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Exodus 25 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey, shifting from the dramatic deliverance from Egypt to the detailed instructions for constructing the tabernacle. These chapters (Exodus 25-31) reveal how God desired to be worshipped and present among His people. God provides Moses with meticulous instructions for building the tabernacle, its furnishings, and preparing the priests, consecrating everything for His service. The emphasis on detail underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience.
An Offering of Precious Materials (Exodus 25:1-7)
God initiates the process by calling for a freewill offering from the Israelites, a contribution of precious materials to be used in the tabernacle's construction. Exodus 25:2-7 details the specific items requested: gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, other durable leather, acacia wood, olive oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and other gems for the ephod and breastplate. This act of giving was not a requirement but an opportunity for the people to express their gratitude and devotion to God.
It's worth remembering that when Israel departed Egypt, God granted them favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, resulting in them receiving valuable possessions. Exodus 12:36 recounts how "they plundered the Egyptians." This narrative offers a remarkable glimpse into God's providence: He orchestrates events to redirect the wealth of His enemies for the advancement of His kingdom purposes. The materials used for the tabernacle, in a sense, were spoils of war transformed into instruments of worship.
The Tabernacle: God's Dwelling Place (Exodus 25:8-9)
The purpose of these offerings and detailed instructions was to create a sanctuary, a tabernacle, where God could dwell among His people. Exodus 25:8 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them." The tabernacle was more than just a building; it was a tangible representation of God's presence and a symbol of His covenant relationship with Israel.
The tabernacle was designed to be portable, reflecting Israel's nomadic lifestyle as they journeyed through the wilderness. It could be taken down and reassembled as they traveled from place to place. This portability also foreshadows a time when God's presence would not be confined to a single location. Eventually, after Israel settled in the promised land and found rest from their enemies, the tabernacle would be replaced by a more permanent temple (see 1 Kings 6:1).
The Ark of the Covenant: God's Throne on Earth (Exodus 25:10-22)
The first piece of furniture described is the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:10-11). It was to have rings and poles for carrying, ensuring that the priests would not directly touch the ark (Exodus 25:12-15).
The lid of the ark was called the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17), and atop it were two golden cherubim, angelic beings facing each other (Exodus 25:18-20). Inside the ark were to be placed the tablets of the testimony (Exodus 25:16, 21), the two stone tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 24:12). This is why the ark was also known as the Ark of the Testimony.
The mercy seat was the place where God manifested His presence (Exodus 25:22). Israel viewed the ark as God's throne on earth; He was enthroned above the mercy seat between the cherubim (see 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; Psalm 80:1; 99:1; Isaiah 37:16). This imagery highlights God's sovereignty and His commitment to His people.
The Table of the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23-30)
Another essential piece of furniture was a table, also constructed of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:23-24). On this table, the priests were to place the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30), also known as the Showbread.
This consisted of twelve flat loaves of bread, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The bread was to be eaten by the priests and replaced every Sabbath, demonstrating God's constant provision (see Leviticus 24:5-9).
The Bread of the Presence foreshadows a greater reality: Jesus, the true "bread of God" and "the bread of life." As Jesus says in John 6:33, 35, "For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world… I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
The Lampstand: A Light in the Darkness (Exodus 25:31-40)
The final piece of furniture detailed in this chapter is the lampstand, crafted from seventy-five pounds of pure, hammered gold (Exodus 25:31, 39). It had six branches—three on each side—and a total of seven lamps (Exodus 25:32, 37).
The priests were responsible for keeping the lampstand burning every night, using olive oil supplied by the Israelites (see Exodus 27:20-21; Leviticus 24:2-4). This constant flame symbolized God's unwavering presence and guidance.
The lampstand, like the Bread of the Presence, points to Christ. Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). The lampstand reminds us that Jesus is the source of spiritual light and that through Him, we can walk in truth and understanding.
Exodus 25 lays the groundwork for understanding God's desire for intimate fellowship with His people. Through the tabernacle and its furnishings, God provided a tangible way for Israel to experience His presence and worship Him in spirit and truth. These objects also serve as powerful symbols, foreshadowing the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,
Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Exodus 25 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey, shifting from the dramatic deliverance from Egypt to the detailed instructions for constructing the tabernacle. These chapters (Exodus 25-31) reveal how God desired to be worshipped and present among His people. God provides Moses with meticulous instructions for building the tabernacle, its furnishings, and preparing the priests, consecrating everything for His service. The emphasis on detail underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience.
An Offering of Precious Materials (Exodus 25:1-7)
God initiates the process by calling for a freewill offering from the Israelites, a contribution of precious materials to be used in the tabernacle's construction. Exodus 25:2-7 details the specific items requested: gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, other durable leather, acacia wood, olive oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and other gems for the ephod and breastplate. This act of giving was not a requirement but an opportunity for the people to express their gratitude and devotion to God.
It's worth remembering that when Israel departed Egypt, God granted them favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, resulting in them receiving valuable possessions. Exodus 12:36 recounts how "they plundered the Egyptians." This narrative offers a remarkable glimpse into God's providence: He orchestrates events to redirect the wealth of His enemies for the advancement of His kingdom purposes. The materials used for the tabernacle, in a sense, were spoils of war transformed into instruments of worship.
The Tabernacle: God's Dwelling Place (Exodus 25:8-9)
The purpose of these offerings and detailed instructions was to create a sanctuary, a tabernacle, where God could dwell among His people. Exodus 25:8 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them." The tabernacle was more than just a building; it was a tangible representation of God's presence and a symbol of His covenant relationship with Israel.
The tabernacle was designed to be portable, reflecting Israel's nomadic lifestyle as they journeyed through the wilderness. It could be taken down and reassembled as they traveled from place to place. This portability also foreshadows a time when God's presence would not be confined to a single location. Eventually, after Israel settled in the promised land and found rest from their enemies, the tabernacle would be replaced by a more permanent temple (see 1 Kings 6:1).
The Ark of the Covenant: God's Throne on Earth (Exodus 25:10-22)
The first piece of furniture described is the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:10-11). It was to have rings and poles for carrying, ensuring that the priests would not directly touch the ark (Exodus 25:12-15).
The lid of the ark was called the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17), and atop it were two golden cherubim, angelic beings facing each other (Exodus 25:18-20). Inside the ark were to be placed the tablets of the testimony (Exodus 25:16, 21), the two stone tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 24:12). This is why the ark was also known as the Ark of the Testimony.
The mercy seat was the place where God manifested His presence (Exodus 25:22). Israel viewed the ark as God's throne on earth; He was enthroned above the mercy seat between the cherubim (see 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; Psalm 80:1; 99:1; Isaiah 37:16). This imagery highlights God's sovereignty and His commitment to His people.
The Table of the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23-30)
Another essential piece of furniture was a table, also constructed of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:23-24). On this table, the priests were to place the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30), also known as the Showbread.
This consisted of twelve flat loaves of bread, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The bread was to be eaten by the priests and replaced every Sabbath, demonstrating God's constant provision (see Leviticus 24:5-9).
The Bread of the Presence foreshadows a greater reality: Jesus, the true "bread of God" and "the bread of life." As Jesus says in John 6:33, 35, "For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world… I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
The Lampstand: A Light in the Darkness (Exodus 25:31-40)
The final piece of furniture detailed in this chapter is the lampstand, crafted from seventy-five pounds of pure, hammered gold (Exodus 25:31, 39). It had six branches—three on each side—and a total of seven lamps (Exodus 25:32, 37).
The priests were responsible for keeping the lampstand burning every night, using olive oil supplied by the Israelites (see Exodus 27:20-21; Leviticus 24:2-4). This constant flame symbolized God's unwavering presence and guidance.
The lampstand, like the Bread of the Presence, points to Christ. Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). The lampstand reminds us that Jesus is the source of spiritual light and that through Him, we can walk in truth and understanding.
Exodus 25 lays the groundwork for understanding God's desire for intimate fellowship with His people. Through the tabernacle and its furnishings, God provided a tangible way for Israel to experience His presence and worship Him in spirit and truth. These objects also serve as powerful symbols, foreshadowing the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.