Exo 25 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Exod 25:1-9: 25:1–40:38 Unlike our churches, the Tabernacle functioned primarily as a residence or palace of God, the divine king, rather than as a place for people to congregate. In this respect, churches are more like the later Jewish synagogues (see also study note on 40:2). This last section of Exodus completes the revelation of God necessary for the people of Israel to come out of the theological darkness that had held them in bondage. This final section includes instructions for building the Tabernacle (chs 25–31 ), the story of the gold calf (a wrong attempt to secure God’s presence, chs 32–34 ), and the report of building the Tabernacle (the proper way to secure God’s presence, chs 35–40 ). God’s ultimate goal in delivering the people from bondage was to share his presence with them. Because of his holiness, that presence could only be experienced in his way, not through the pagan way of human manipulation. The construction of the Tabernacle is reported here, even though some of the instructions in Leviticus were actually given before this event (see 40:1-2 ; Lev 25:1 ; 27:34 ; Num 7:1 ). This event expresses the goal of the entire Exodus sequence, which is God taking up residence among his people. Summary for Exod 25:1-9: 25:1–27:19 These instructions first indicate the materials the Israelites could contribute for the construction of the Tabernacle (25:3-7 ). The instructions then move from the center outward, beginning with the Ark of the Covenant (25:10-22 ) and concluding with the courtyard (27:9-19 ). Two items, the altar of incense in the sanctuary and the washbasin in the courtyard, are included later (30:1-10 , 17-21 ), in the section relating to the priesthood, perhaps because their use was especially related to functions of the priests.

Summary for Exod 25:1-9: 25:1–40:38 ^a Unlike our churches, the Tabernacle functioned primarily as a residence or palace of God, the divine king, rather than as a place for people to congregate. In this respect, churches are more like the later Jewish synagogues (see also study note on 40:2). This last section of Exodus completes the revelation of God necessary for the people of Israel to come out of the theological darkness that had held them in bondage. This final section includes instructions for building the Tabernacle (chs 25–31 ^b), the story of the gold calf (a wrong attempt to secure God’s presence, chs 32–34 ^c), and the report of building the Tabernacle (the proper way to secure God’s presence, chs 35–40 ^d). God’s ultimate goal in delivering the people from bondage was to share his presence with them. Because of his holiness, that presence could only be experienced in his way, not through the pagan way of human manipulation. The construction of the Tabernacle is reported here, even though some of the instructions in Leviticus were actually given before this event (see 40:1-2 ^e; Lev 25:1 ^f; 27:34 ^g; Num 7:1 ^h). This event expresses the goal of the entire Exodus sequence, which is God taking up residence among his people.
Summary for Exod 25:1-9: 25:1–27:19 ⁱ These instructions first indicate the materials the Israelites could contribute for the construction of the Tabernacle (25:3-7 ^j). The instructions then move from the center outward, beginning with the Ark of the Covenant (25:10-22 ^k) and concluding with the courtyard (27:9-19 ^l). Two items, the altar of incense in the sanctuary and the washbasin in the courtyard, are included later (30:1-10 ^m, 17-21 ⁿ), in the section relating to the priesthood, perhaps because their use was especially related to functions of the priests.
25:2 ^o all whose hearts are moved: There is a marked difference in motivation between meeting needs in God’s way and attempting to meet them in our own way, as when Aaron used coercion in creating the gold calf (see 32:1-4 ^p).
25:8 ^q a holy sanctuary: If the people were to have a life-giving relationship with God, it was absolutely vital that they learn how utterly different God was from them (see study note on 3:5).

• The purpose of this activity was so God could live among them.
25:9 ^r exactly according to the pattern: We do not determine for ourselves how we want to come into the presence of a holy God. If we come into his presence at all, it will be on his terms and in accord with his desires and character.
Summary for Exod 25:10-22: 25:10-22 ^s an Ark of acacia wood: In translating the plans for the Ark of the Covenant, the NLT continues to use the word Ark because of its traditional associations. However, ark is simply an archaic English word meaning “box.” The Ark was Israel’s “covenant box.” It was the most significant item in the whole complex, because it was there that God made his presence available (25:22 ^t). The presence of the stone tablets of the covenant in the box (25:16 ^u, 21 ^v) underlined the truth that God reveals himself in the context of a mutually binding commitment between himself and his people.
Summary for Exod 25:12-15: 25:12-15 ^w The carrying poles were there so that no one would touch this representation of God’s devastating holiness. Later, a death occurred when someone instinctively reached out to steady the Ark as it was being moved from one place to another (see 2 Sam 6:6-7 ^x).
25:17 ^y The word translated atonement means “to cover over.” The cover of the covenant box was the place of “covering over” sin (see Lev 16:14-16 ^z).
25:18 ^aa The appearance of the cherubim is not described except to say that they had wings (25:20 ^ab; see 2 Chr 3:10-13 ^ac).
25:22 ^ad I will meet with you there: The Ark was located in the innermost part of the sanctuary (26:33 ^ae), which was in effect God’s throne room (see study note on Lev 16:2). In a comparable pagan sanctuary, one would find an idol in this location. The Tabernacle had no idol, only a box that physically represented the covenant faithfulness and grace of God. God meets his people in that context, not in the context of idolatry. An idol reflects the belief that a deity is continuous with the created order and that it can be manipulated with the right ritual. It assumes that we can secure blessings from the deity without regard to our own character or commitment. But God is completely distinct from this world, and he cannot be manipulated in any way. He wants to bless us, but those blessings can only be given to those who receive his grace as a gift and surrender to him in trust.
Summary for Exod 25:23-30: 25:23-30 ^af The table of acacia wood stood on the north side of the main room of the sanctuary, the Holy Place (26:35 ^ag). It reminded the people that God would provide sustenance for them. Above all, that sustenance was his presence (25:30 ^ah).
25:29 ^ai The liquid offerings included olive oil and wine (see 29:40 ^aj).
Summary for Exod 25:31-39: 25:31-39 ^ak The lampstand of pure, hammered gold stood on the south side of the Holy Place (26:35 ^al). It showed the light of God’s presence to his people. The lamps (25:37 ^am) were flat dishes containing olive oil. A wick extended into the oil and hung down from a lip on one side of the dish. The dishes, resting on the upturned almond blossoms (25:33 ^an), were to be turned so that all their wicks faced the center of the room (25:37 ^ao). The total number of lamps is not clear. Although seven lamps are mentioned in 25:37 ^ap, there seem to be 22 lamp cups in 25:33-34 ^aq.