Exo 25-27 | 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.

‏ Exodus 26

Summary for Exod 26:1-37: 26:1-37 ^ar The Tabernacle proper (as distinct from the surrounding courtyard) was not very large. It was approximately 15 feet wide and 45 feet long. The supporting framework consisted of 48 vertical frames, 15 feet high and 27 inches wide (26:16 ^as). They were made of acacia wood overlaid with gold (26:15 ^at, 29 ^au). The frames were locked together with horizontal crossbars to form a three-sided rectangle with an open end (26:26-28 ^av). Two large linen curtains (each composed of five smaller ones) were then linked together into one and draped across the top of this framework. The combined total was long enough to hang down on the sides and rear (26:1-6 ^aw), forming coverings for the walls as well as the roof. Over the linen curtain was draped a curtain of goat-hair cloth constructed in the same way. It was three feet wider and six feet longer than the linen curtain (26:7-13 ^ax), so that it hung down further than the linen curtain on all sides. Over these two curtains were two protective coverings, one of tanned ram skins and one of fine goatskin leather (26:14 ^ay). The space so enclosed was divided in two with another beautifully embroidered curtain hanging crosswise on four posts of acacia wood. The resulting two spaces were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (26:31-33 ^az).
Summary for Exod 26:2-6: 26:2-6 ^ba 42 feet long and 6 feet wide: A width of 6 feet may have been dictated by the size of the largest loom available. Five of the six-foot strips were joined, probably by being sewn together, making one continuous piece of cloth 42 feet long and 30 feet wide. When joined to each other with the loops and clasps (26:5-6 ^bb), the two cloths formed a single unit 42 feet by 60 feet.
26:9 ^bc The two goat-hair curtains (26:7 ^bd) totaled 45 feet by 66 feet. The extra 6 feet were equally distributed to hang down over the front and back of the framework.
26:15 ^be acacia wood: A hard wood found in the region of Sinai.
26:19 ^bf Apparently each of the bases stood beneath the junction where the frames met. The right peg of one frame and the left peg of the next frame went into one base. Along with the crossbars (26:27-28 ^bg), this arrangement would contribute to the stability of the whole.
26:31 ^bh While blue, purple, and scarlet are rich colors appropriate for the palace of a divine king, they may also have been specified because these dyes were easiest to procure in the desert.
26:33 ^bi The Most Holy Place was the earthly dwelling of the Lord. It contained the Ark of the Covenant, from which the Lord would give his commands for the people of Israel (25:22 ^bj). The Most Holy Place was approximately 15 feet wide, 15 feet deep, and 15 feet high.
Summary for Exod 26:36-37: 26:36-37 ^bk The curtain that covered the opening at the eastern end of the structure was similar to the one separating the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The bases of these supporting posts were of bronze instead of silver.

‏ Exodus 27

Summary for Exod 27:1-19: 27:1-19 ^bl These plans for the altar of burnt offering and the courtyard continue the movement outward from the center. As with the sanctuary, the plans for the furniture of the courtyard are given (27:1-8 ^bm) before the plans for the courtyard itself (27:9-19 ^bn).
Summary for Exod 27:1-8: 27:1-8 ^bo Like the frames of the Tabernacle, the square altar of burnt offerings was made of acacia wood overlaid with metal. However, in keeping with the other features outside the sanctuary, it was overlaid with bronze (27:2-3 ^bp; see 27:10 ^bq, 17 ^br, 19 ^bs).
27:2 ^bt Archaeology has shown that the horns of the altar were protrusions sticking up from the corners of the structure. Perhaps they kept wood and offerings from falling off (see Ps 118:27 ^bu). They also seem to have had a theological significance, representing God’s gracious care. A person who held onto the horns of the altar was requesting leniency in judgment (see 1 Kgs 1:50-51 ^bv; 2:28 ^bw). The horns were anointed with blood in atonement and purification ceremonies (Exod 29:12 ^bx; Lev 4:7 ^by).
27:5 ^bz The altar was evidently a hollow square (27:1 ^ca, 8 ^cb), with the grating placed inside it to allow ashes to fall to the ground underneath.
Summary for Exod 27:9-19: 27:9-19 ^cc The plans for the courtyard called for walls of curtains made of finely woven linen hanging on posts with bronze bases. The posts seem to have been 7½ feet apart and 7½ feet high. The curtains formed a rectangle 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, with a 30-foot opening centered in the east
27:16 ^cd The curtain shielding the entry to the courtyard was similar in color and workmanship to the entry curtain and the dividing curtain of the Tabernacle (26:31 ^ce, 36 ^cf).
27:19 ^cg The use of tent pegs suggests that the courtyard posts were not freestanding but were stabilized with guy wires.
Summary for Exod 27:20-28:5: 27:20–30:38 ^ch Following the instructions for Tabernacle structure, instructions are now given for those who would serve in the Tabernacle and for the elements involved in that service. Included are priestly functions (27:20-21 ^ci; 29:38-46 ^cj), clothing (ch 28 ^ck), dedication ceremonies (29:1-37 ^cl), furnishings (30:1-10 ^cm, 17-21 ^cn), and supplies (30:11-16 ^co, 22-38 ^cp).
Summary for Exod 27:20-21: 27:20-21 ^cq The first thing said about the function of the priests, Aaron and his sons, is that they were to keep the lamps burning continually through the night (see 30:8 ^cr). As the lamps burned in the Lord’s presence, they would indicate the continuity of his presence.
27:21 ^cs the Tabernacle (literally the Tent of Meeting): The expression Tent of Meeting sometimes refers to the Tabernacle tent; in these cases the expression is essentially synonymous with Tabernacle, and the NLT consistently renders it Tabernacle. In addition, a temporary tent also called the “Tent of Meeting” is mentioned in 33:7-11 ^ct. See study note on 40:2.