Exodus 25

2. Tabernacle instructions

Offerings for the Tabernacle

125 The LORD said to Moses, 2” Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.

3Here is alist of sacred offerings you may accept from them:gold, silver, and bronze;4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread,fine linen and goat hair for cloth;5 tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather;acacia wood;6 olive oil for the lamps;spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;7 onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest's chestpiece.paid and they could be reunited with God. Through this symbolicact God's promises to Israel were reaffirmed, and lessons aretaught to us about the future sacrificial death (or atonement) ofJesus Christ.25:1ff Chapters 25 through 31 record God’s directions forbuilding the Tabernacle. Chapters 35 through 39 tell how theseinstructions were carried out. But what can all these ancient,complicated construction details show us today? First, the highquality of the precious materials making up the Tabernacleshows God's greatness and transcendence. Second, the curtainsurrounding the Most Holy Place shows God's moral perfectionas symbolized by his separation from the common and unclean.Third, the portable nature of the Tabernacle shows God'sdesire to be with his people as they traveled. Fourth, the Taber-nacle, its furnishings, and the service performed there providea picture of the atonement that would one day come throughJesus Christ.

8“Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. 9You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.

Plans for the Ark of the Covenant

1010“Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.* 'Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it. 12Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side. 13Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 1SThese carrying poles must stay inside the rings; never remove them. 16When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant,* which I will give to you. 17*Then make the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold. It must be 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.* 18Then make two cherubim from hammered gold, and place them on the two ends of the atonement cover. 19Mold the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold. 20The cherubim will face each other and look down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they will protect it. 21Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. 22I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant.* From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

Plans for the Table

2323Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.* 24Overlay it with pure gold and run a gold molding around the edge. 25Decorate it with a 3-inch border* all around, and run a gold molding along the border. 2Make four gold rings for the table and attach them at the four corners next to the four legs. 27Attach the rings near the border to hold the poles that are used to carry the table. 28Make these poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 29Make special containers of pure gold for the table~—bowls, pans, pitchers, and jars—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings. 30Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before me at all times.

Plans for the Lampsiand

3131“Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decora- 25:31-39 tions of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals. 9*Make it with six “Exod 87:17-24 branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. 33Each of the six branches will 25:3} 00.47 have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 34Craft \ Kas 7:49 the center stem of the lampstand with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, com- Rev 1:12 plete with buds and petals. 35There will also be an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extend from the center stem. 3¢The almond buds and branches must all be of one piece with the center stem, and they must be hammered from,. pure gold. 39Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect Exod 27:21 their light forward. 8The lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold. 9You A274 42, 20; 4:5 will need seventy-five pounds* of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories. 25:40 40"Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on Acts 7:44 the mountain.: