DBG - February 1 - Exodus 36-38

In this chapter we see the work being on the Tabernacle.

vs. 1-7 – Work begins on the Tabernacle project under the direction of Bezaleel and Aholiab.  There is great momentum for the work and the offering.  So much material is given by the people that Moses has to tell them to stop bringing stuff!

vs. 8-19 – The Tabernacle tent coverings are made as directed in 26:1-14.

vs. 20-34 – The structure of the Tabernacle with its boards and bases are made as directed .in 26:15-30.

vs. 35- 38 – The two vails are made for the Tabernacle as directed in 26:31-37.

In this chapter we see the work continue on the Tabernacle.

vs. 1-9 – The Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat are made as directed in 25:1-22.

vs. 10-16 – The Table of Shewbread is made as directed in 25:23-30.

vs. 17-24 – The Golden Candlestick is made as directed in 25:31-40.

vs. 25-28 – The Altar of Incense is made as directed in 30:1-5

vs. 29 – The incense and anointing oil are made as directed in 30:22-38.

In this chapter we see the work completed on the Tabernacle.

vs. 1-7 – The Brazan altar is made as directed in 27:1-8.

vs. 8 – The Brazen Laver is made as directed in 30:17-21.

vs. 9-20 – The curtain wall around the Tabernacle courtyard is made as directed in 27:9-19.

vs. 21-23 – Here are the leaders of the Tabernacle project.  We already have met Bezaleel and Aholiab, but added here is Aaron’s son Ithamar (whose name means “land of palms”) that acted as treasurer for the project.

vs. 24 – The total gold used in the project is 29 talents and 730 shekels.  I calculate this as 35,355 ounces, which would be about $172,516,000 today.

vs. 25 – The total silver that came from the ½ shekel tax in 30:11-16 is 100 talents and 1,775 shekels of silver.  I calculate this as 121615 ounces, which would be about $10,128,000 today.

vs. 26 – The total number of men over 20 years of age that paid the ½ shekel tax is 603,550.  I believe we can safely assume the total population is at least 4x that, allowing for women and children.

vs. 27-28 – The uses of all the silver that came through the census tax.

vs. 29-31 – The total brass/bronze given in the offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.  I have this as worth about $31,700 today which seems a low figure that does not reflect the true value.

I will admit that this is not one of the most exciting passages in Scripture.  The obvious reason why is because it largely repeats information we have already seen.  We saw a few chapters ago that God told Moses to make this or that so tall and so wide and out of such material.  In these chapters, the craftsmen build this or that so tall and so wide and out of such material.  It is faithful obedience to God’s direction, even to the slightest of details, that is on open display here.  If only we were so obedient!

As you probably could guess, I could not find a hymn based on the content of these chapters.  In keeping with the theme of obedience, I have chosen an Isaac Watts text based on the opening verses of Psalm 119.  It was originally titled “The Blessedness of Saints and the Misery of Sinners” and was first published in 1740.

Blest are the undefil'd in heart,

Whose ways are right and clean;

Who never from thy law depart,

But fly from every sin.

Blest are the men that keep thy word,

And practise thy commands;

With their whole heart they seek the Lord

And serve thee with their hands.

Great is their peace who love thy law;

How firm their souls abide;

Nor can a bold temptation draw

Their steady feet aside.

Then shall my heart have inward joy,

And keep my face from shame,

When all thy statutes I obey,

And honour all thy name.

But haughty sinners God will hate,

The proud shall die accurst;

The sons of falshood and deceit

Are trodden to the dust.

Vile as the dross the wicked are;

And those that leave thy ways

Shall see salvation from afar,

But never taste thy grace.

This is my Father’s world,