The Book of
Exodus 25
40 verses≈ 6 minBSB
Images are artistic interpretations.
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Where we are
- 1–6Slaves in EgyptOppression and a deliverer
- 7–13The plaguesThe LORD against Pharaoh
- 14–18Through the seaRescued and led
- 19–24At SinaiThe covenant and the law
- 25–31A place to dwellThe tabernacle plannedChapter 25
- 32–40Broken and renewedThe calf, mercy, the glory
Offerings for the Tabernacle
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him.
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Metals
Gold, silver and bronze
This is the offering you are to accept from them:
gold, silver, and bronze;
Curtains
Colored yarn, fine linen, goat hair
blue, purple, and scarlet yarn;
fine linen and goat hair;
Coverings, frames
Ram skins, leather, acacia wood
ram skins dyed red and fine leather;
acacia wood;
Light, oil, incense
Olive oil and spices
olive oil for the light;
spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;
For the priest
Onyx and gemstones
and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.
And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.
Exodus 25:8
You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.
Plan to scale in cubits · north at the top
The tabernacle
A place to dwell
A courtyard of white linen, 100 by 50 cubits (about 150 by 75 feet), its gate on the east. In the court, the bronze altar and the basin; at its heart the tent, 30 by 10 cubits, in two rooms, with the Most Holy Place behind the veil. Chapters 25–30 describe it from the inside out, starting with the ark.
Reflect
So that I may dwell
God had rescued Israel from Egypt and given them His law. Now He asks for a tent, “so that I may dwell among them.” The point of all the gold and linen was nearness: the holy God living in the middle of His people’s camp. John says the Word became flesh and ‘made His dwelling among us.’ Where do you need to know that God is near, not far off? Write it down, and write one way you could make room for Him today.
The Ark of the Covenant
The Mercy Seat
And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.
Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark.
And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
0:15
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
Pray
Where God meets us
Above the mercy seat, God said, “I will meet with you there.” Once a year the high priest brought blood to that lid, and God covered His people’s sin. Paul says God presented Jesus as the atoning sacrifice, the true place where sin is covered and God meets sinners. Thank Him that through Christ you may come near, and bring Him what you need to confess today.
Plan to scale in cubits · north at the top
Where it stood
Behind the veil
The ark stood alone in the innermost room, the Most Holy Place, a square of ten cubits (about 15 feet) at the west end of the tent, hidden behind the veil. There, God said, “I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim.” Only the high priest went in, once a year.
The Table of Showbread
Acacia, about 3 by 1½ by 2¼ feet
You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high.
Overlaid with pure gold
Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it.
A rim a handbreadth wide
And make a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim.
For carrying
Four gold rings at the legs
Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners at its four legs. The rings are to be close to the rim, to serve as holders for the poles used to carry the table.
Gold-covered poles
Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that the table may be carried with them.
Pure gold
Plates, dishes, pitchers, bowls
You are also to make the plates and dishes, as well as the pitchers and bowls for pouring drink offerings. Make them out of pure gold.
And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.
The Lampstand
Pure, hammered gold
Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold.
One piece, base to petals
It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.
Six branches, three each side
Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other.
Three almond cups on each branch
There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand.
Four cups on the shaft, a bud per pair
And on the lampstand there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals. For the six branches that extend from the lampstand, a bud must be under the first pair of branches, a bud under the second pair, and a bud under the third pair.
All hammered from one piece
The buds and branches are to be all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
To light the room
Seven lamps
Make seven lamps and set them up on the lampstand so that they illuminate the area in front of it.
Its tools
Trimmers and trays; a talent in all
The wick trimmers and their trays must be of pure gold. The lampstand and all these utensils shall be made from a talent of pure gold.
See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
Question
Quick question
The ark, the table and the lampstand each had their place in God’s dwelling, and each held something.
What did God tell Moses to place inside the ark?
Plan to scale in cubits · north at the top
Where it stood
The Holy Place
In front of the veil was the outer room, the Holy Place, 20 by 10 cubits (about 30 by 15 feet). The table with “the Bread of the Presence” stood on the north side, and the lampstand opposite it on the south (26:35), its seven lamps giving light to the room. The priests served here every day.
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Exodus 25
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A verse to carry with you
And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.
Exodus 25:8
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