Exodus Chapter 36

The Tabernacle Underwritten

1Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.

2And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: 3And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. 4And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; 5And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make. 6And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. 7For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

The Construction Proceeds

(Exodus 26:1-6)

8And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them. 9The length of one curtain was twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains were all of one size. 10And he coupled the five curtains one unto another: and the other five curtains he coupled one unto another. 11And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. 12Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which was in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another. 13And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.

The Curtains of Goats' Hair

(Exodus 26:7-14)

14And he made curtains of goats' hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them. 15The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains were of one size. 16And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. 18And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.

The Covering of Skins

19And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers' skins above that.

The Boards and Sockets

(Exodus 26:15-30)

20And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up. 21The length of a board was ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half. 22One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle. 23And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward: 24And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. 25And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards, 26And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 27And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 28And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. 29And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners. 30And there were eight boards; and their sockets were sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets.

The Bars

31And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 32And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward. 33And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other. 34And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

The Veil

(Exodus 26:31-35)

35And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work. 36And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.

The Curtain for the Door

(Exodus 26:36-37)

37And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework; 38And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The People Bring More than Enough

1 “Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Yahweh has commanded.”

2 Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Yahweh had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it: 3 and they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They brought yet to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which they did. 5 They spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which Yahweh commanded to make.” 6 Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman make anything else for the offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing. 7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

The Ten Curtains for the Tabernacle
(Exodus 26:1–6)

8 All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, with cherubim, the work of the skillful workman, they made them. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains had one measure. 10 He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled one to another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling. Likewise he made in the edge of the curtain that was outmost in the second coupling. 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain, and he made fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that was in the second coupling. The loops were opposite one to another. 13 He made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one to another with the clasps: so the tabernacle was a unit.

The Eleven Curtains of Goat Hair
(Exodus 26:7–14)

14 He made curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. He made them eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits the breadth of each curtain. The eleven curtains had one measure. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 He made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outmost in the coupling, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which was outmost in the second coupling. 18 He made fifty clasps of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be a unit.

19 He made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.

The Frames and Bases
(Exodus 26:15–30)

20 He made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board. 22 Each board had two tenons, joined one to another. He made all the boards of the tabernacle this way. 23 He made the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards for the south side southward. 24 He made forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards, 26 and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 27 For the far part of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 28 He made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far part. 29 They were double beneath, and in the same way they were all the way to its top to one ring. He did this to both of them in the two corners. 30 There were eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; under every board two sockets.

31 He made bars of acacia wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the hinder part westward. 33 He made the middle bar to pass through in the midst of the boards from the one end to the other. 34 He overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold for places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

The Veil
(Exodus 26:31–35)

35 He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman. 36 He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold. He cast four sockets of silver for them.

The Curtain for the Entrance
(Exodus 26:36–37)

37 He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer; 38 and the five pillars of it with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their fillets with gold, and their five sockets were of brass.

The People Bring More than Enough

1 “So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person are to carry out everything commanded by the LORD, who has given them skill and ability to know how to perform all the work of constructing the sanctuary.”

2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person whom the LORD had gifted—everyone whose heart stirred him to come and do the work. 3 They received from Moses all the contributions that the Israelites had brought to carry out the service of constructing the sanctuary.

Meanwhile, the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning, 4 so that all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD has commanded us to do.”

6 After Moses had given an order, they sent a proclamation throughout the camp: “No man or woman should make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 since what they already had was more than enough to perform all the work.

The Ten Curtains for the Tabernacle
(Exodus 26:1–6)

8 All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. 9 Each curtain was twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide; a all the curtains were the same size. 10 And he joined five of the curtains together, and the other five he joined as well.

11 He made loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and also on the end curtain in the second set. 12 He made fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set, so that the loops lined up opposite one another. 13 He also made fifty gold clasps to join the curtains together, so that the tabernacle was a unit.

The Eleven Curtains of Goat Hair
(Exodus 26:7–14)

14 He then made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all. 15 Each of the eleven curtains was the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. b 16 He joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. 17 He made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set. 18 He also made fifty bronze clasps to join the tent together as a unit.

19 Additionally, he made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather. c

The Frames and Bases
(Exodus 26:15–30)

20 Next, he constructed upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 21 Each frame was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. d 22 Two tenons e were connected to each other for each frame. He made all the frames of the tabernacle in this way.

23 He constructed twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle, 24 with forty silver bases to put under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon.

25 For the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, he made twenty frames 26 and forty silver bases—two bases under each frame.

27 He made six frames for the rear of the tabernacle, the west side, 28 and two frames for the two back corners of the tabernacle, 29 coupled together from bottom to top and fitted into a single ring. He made both corners in this way. 30 So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

31 He also made five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 32 five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west.

33 He made the central crossbar to run through the center of the frames, from one end to the other. 34 And he overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. He also overlaid the crossbars with gold.

The Veil
(Exodus 26:31–35)

35 Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.

36 He also made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold, along with gold hooks; and he cast four silver bases for the posts.

The Curtain for the Entrance
(Exodus 26:36–37)

37 For the entrance to the tent, he made a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, 38 together with five posts and their hooks.

He overlaid the tops of the posts and their bands with gold, and their five bases were bronze.

Footnotes:

9 a Each of the ten curtains was approximately 42 feet long and 6 feet wide (12.8 meters long and 1.8 meters wide).
15 b Each of the eleven curtains was approximately 45 feet long and 6 feet wide (13.7 meters long and 1.8 meters wide).
19 c Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals
21 d Each frame was approximately 15 feet long and 2.25 feet wide (4.6 meters long and 68.6 centimeters wide).
22 e That is, projecting pieces of wood made for insertion into another piece; similarly in verse 24.

The Tabernacle Underwritten

1And Bezaleel, and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whom Jehovah hath given wisdom and understanding to know to do every work of the service of the sanctuary, have done according to all that Jehovah commanded.

2And Moses calleth unto Bezaleel, and unto Aholiab, and unto every wise-hearted man in whose heart Jehovah hath given wisdom, every one whom his heart lifted up, to come near unto the work to do it. 3And they take from before Moses all the heave-offering which the sons of Israel have brought in for the work of the service of the sanctuary to do it; and still they have brought in unto him a willing-offering morning by morning. 4And all the wise men, who are doing all the work of the sanctuary, come each from his work which they are doing, 5and speak unto Moses, saying, 'The people are multiplying to bring in more than sufficient for the service of the work which Jehovah commanded to make.' 6And Moses commandeth, and they cause a voice to pass over through the camp, saying, 'Let not man or woman make any more work for the heave-offering of the sanctuary;' and the people are restrained from bringing, 7and the work hath been sufficient for them, for all the work, to do it, and to leave.

The Construction Proceeds

(Exodus 26:1-6)

8And all the wise-hearted ones among the doers of the work make the tabernacle; ten curtains of twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubs, work of a designer, he hath made them. 9The length of the one curtain is eight and twenty by the cubit, and the breadth of the one curtain four by the cubit; one measure is to all the curtains. 10And he joineth the five curtains one unto another, and the other five curtains he hath joined one unto another; 11and he maketh loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain, at the end, in the joining; so he hath made in the edge of the outmost curtain, in the joining of the second; 12fifty loops he hath made in the one curtain, and fifty loops hath he made in the end of the curtain which is in the joining of the second; the loops are taking hold one on another. 13And he maketh fifty hooks of gold, and joineth the curtains one unto another by the hooks, and the tabernacle is one.

The Curtains of Goats' Hair

(Exodus 26:7-14)

14And he maketh curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains he hath made them; 15the length of the one curtain is thirty by the cubit, and the breadth of the one curtain is four cubits; one measure is to the eleven curtains; 16and he joineth the five curtains apart, and the six curtains apart. 17And he maketh fifty loops on the outer edge of the curtain, in the joining; and fifty loops he hath made on the edge of the curtain which is joining the second; 18and he maketh fifty hooks of brass to join the tent -- to be one;

The Covering of Skins

19and he maketh a covering for the tent of rams' skins made red, and a covering of badgers' skins above.

The Boards and Sockets

(Exodus 26:15-30)

20And he maketh the boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up; 21ten cubits is the length of the one board, and a cubit and a half the breadth of the one board; 22two handles are to the one board, joined one unto another; so he hath made for all the boards of the tabernacle. 23And he maketh the boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward; 24and forty sockets of silver he hath made under the twenty boards, two sockets under the one board for its two handles, and two sockets under the other board for its two handles. 25And for the second side of the tabernacle, for the north side, he hath made twenty boards, 26and their forty sockets of silver, two sockets under the one board, and two sockets under the other board; 27and for the sides of the tabernacle, westward, hath he made six boards; 28and two boards hath he made for the corners of the tabernacle, in the two sides; 29and they have been twins below, and together they are twins at its head, at the one ring; so he hath done to both of them at the two corners; 30and there have been eight boards; and their sockets of silver are sixteen sockets, two sockets under the one board.

The Bars

31And he maketh bars of shittim wood, five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 32and five bars for the boards of the second side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle, for the sides westward; 33and he maketh the middle bar to enter into the midst of the boards from end to end; 34and the boards he hath overlaid with gold, and their rings he hath made of gold, places for bars, and he overlayeth the bars with gold.

The Veil

(Exodus 26:31-35)

35And he maketh the vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen, work of a designer he hath made it, with cherubs; 36and he maketh for it four pillars of shittim wood, and overlayeth them with gold; their pegs are of gold; and he casteth for them four sockets of silver.

The Curtain for the Door

(Exodus 26:36-37)

37And he maketh a covering for the opening of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen, work of an embroiderer, 38also its five pillars, and their pegs; and he overlaid their tops and their fillets with gold, and their five sockets are brass.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Exodus 36?

2Introduction to Exodus 36

3Context of Exodus 36

4Ancient Key Word Study

5Compare & Contrast

6Exodus 36 Unique Insights

7Exodus 36 Connections to Yeshua

8Exodus 36 Scriptural Echoes

9Exodus 36 Devotional

10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Exodus 36?

Introduction to Exodus 36

Exodus 36 stands as a remarkable testament to the divine inspiration and empowerment of craftsmanship in service to יהוה (Yahweh). This chapter showcases the actual construction of the Tabernacle, where we witness the incredible synergy between divine enablement and human skill. The narrative transitions from preparation to implementation, demonstrating how the Spirit-filled artisans, Bezalel and Oholiab, along with their skilled team, began transforming the gathered materials into the sacred dwelling place of God.

The chapter beautifully illustrates how divine inspiration meets human dedication, as the craftsmen work with such excellence that they actually have to ask Moses to tell the people to stop bringing materials – an unprecedented moment in Scripture where generosity had to be restrained rather than encouraged.

Context of Exodus 36

Within the book of Exodus, chapter 36 marks a significant transition from the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle’s construction (chapters 25-31) to their actual implementation (chapters 36-39). This shift is crucial as it demonstrates the Israelites’ faithful obedience to God’s commands, contrasting sharply with their earlier rebellion in the golden calf incident (Exodus 32).

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter serves as a pivotal moment in salvation history. The construction of the Tabernacle represents the first physical dwelling place of God among His people since Eden. This theme echoes throughout Scripture, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of the Messiah Yeshua, as John 1:14 declares, “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.” The careful attention to detail and the overwhelming generosity of the people prefigures the New Covenant reality where believers themselves become temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

This chapter also establishes important principles about the relationship between divine empowerment and human skill, showing how God works through prepared and willing vessels to accomplish His purposes. This pattern continues throughout Scripture, from the building of Solomon’s Temple to the spiritual gifts given to build up the Body of the Messiah.

Ancient Key Word Study

חֲכַם־לֵ֛ב (chakham-lev) – “Wise-hearted” (v. 1): This compound term literally means “wise of heart,” reflecting the Hebrew understanding that the heart was the seat of both intellect and skill. The term suggests not just technical ability but divinely-granted wisdom that integrates mind, emotions, and spiritual sensitivity.
רוּחַ (ruach) – “Spirit” (implied from previous context): Though not explicitly mentioned in this chapter, the work continues under the Spirit’s empowerment mentioned in Exodus 31:3. This is the same word used for God’s Spirit hovering over creation, showing the parallel between cosmic and tabernacle creation.
מְלָאכָה (melachah) – “Work” (v. 2): The same term used for God’s creative work in Genesis, suggesting that the tabernacle construction was seen as a participation in divine creative activity.
נְדָבָה (nedavah) – “Freewill offering” (v. 3): This term implies spontaneous generosity, distinct from obligatory giving. It represents worship through willing sacrifice.
דַּיָּם (dayyam) – “Sufficient” (v. 7): This rare term implies not just adequacy but abundance beyond necessity, emphasizing the overwhelming response of the people.
יְרִיעֹת (yeriot) – “Curtains” (v. 8): These weren’t mere functional items but represented boundaries between sacred and common space, with their complex design reflecting cosmic imagery.
חֹשֵׁב (choshev) – “Skillful design” (v. 8): This term implies both technical skill and artistic creativity, suggesting work that requires both divine inspiration and human expertise.
כְּרֻבִים (keruvim) – “Cherubim” (v. 8): These celestial beings were woven into the fabric, representing the merger of heavenly and earthly realms in the tabernacle.
לוּלָאֹת (lula’ot) – “Loops” (v. 11): These connecting elements symbolized the unity of God’s dwelling place, with each part perfectly joined to others.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 1’s use of חֲכַם־לֵ֛ב (chakham-lev) rather than simply חָכָם (chakham) emphasizes that true wisdom for divine service involves the whole person, not merely intellectual capability. The heart-wisdom combination suggests transformation of character alongside skill.
The repeated phrase “as יהוה had commanded” in verses 1, 5, and 7 uses the perfect tense, emphasizing the completeness and finality of God’s instructions rather than using the imperfect tense which would suggest ongoing or incomplete instruction.
Verse 3’s description of morning by morning giving (בַבֹּקֶר בַבֹּקֶר) uses repetition to emphasize the consistent, daily nature of the people’s generosity, rather than a single act of giving.
The technical term חֹשֵׁב (skillful design) in verse 8 is chosen over simpler terms for work or craftsmanship, indicating that the artistry involved was both technically precise and spiritually inspired.
The description of the curtains in verses 8-13 uses precise measurements and technical terms, reflecting that sacred space requires exact specifications rather than approximate guidelines.
The use of קָרַס (clasp) in verse 13 rather than a general word for joining emphasizes the precise and permanent nature of the connections in God’s dwelling place.
The term for “enough” (דַּיָּם) in verse 7 is used instead of simpler terms to convey both sufficiency and abundance, indicating that God’s provision through His people exceeded mere adequacy.

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Exodus 36 Unique Insights

The Midrash Rabbah provides fascinating insight into the phrase “wise-hearted” (חֲכַם־לֵ֛ב), suggesting that these craftsmen possessed not only technical skill but also the ability to perceive the spiritual dimensions of their work. They could visualize how each element of the Tabernacle corresponded to cosmic and spiritual realities, making their craftsmanship a form of prophecy through artistry.

The early rabbis noted that the excessive giving by the people (verses 5-7) was seen as a tikkun (spiritual repair) for the sin of the golden calf. Where they had previously given gold for idolatry, they now gave abundantly for God’s true dwelling place. The Zohar connects this overflow of giving to the concept of heaven’s abundance, suggesting that when people give with a willing heart, they create channels for divine blessing to flow into the world.

The precise measurements and materials mentioned throughout the chapter were understood by Jewish mystics as containing deep spiritual significance. For example, the repeated use of the number five in the dimensions was seen as representing the five books of Torah, while the blue, purple, and scarlet colors were understood to represent the merging of heavenly and earthly realms.

This chapter also presents a unique instance in Scripture where Moses had to command the people to stop giving – a situation that has no parallel in biblical history. The Jerusalem Talmud suggests this demonstrates that when people are truly aligned with God’s purposes, their generosity knows no bounds and must sometimes be channeled rather than stimulated.

Exodus 36 Connections to Yeshua

The Spirit-empowered craftsmanship described in this chapter prefigures the gifts of the Spirit given to believers in the Messiah. Just as Bezalel and Oholiab were filled with the Spirit for their work, the Body of the Messiah is equipped with spiritual gifts for building up God’s spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).

The overwhelming generosity of the people foreshadows the Messianic age where God’s people would give themselves fully to His service. This was perfectly exemplified in Yeshua, who gave Himself completely for us, and in the early church where believers shared everything they had (Acts 4:32-35). The willing hearts of the people mirror the transformation that occurs when we encounter the Messiah, moving from reluctant obligation to joyful sacrifice.

Exodus 36 Scriptural Echoes

The careful construction of the Tabernacle finds its parallel in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6) and later in the spiritual temple of believers (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). The Spirit’s empowerment of the craftsmen echoes through to Acts 2 where the Spirit empowers believers for ministry.

The overwhelming generosity of the people resonates with David’s collection for the Temple (1 Chronicles 29:1-9) and the Macedonian churches’ giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). The theme of skilled craftsmanship for God’s glory appears again in the building of Solomon’s Temple and the rebuilding under Zerubbabel.

The careful attention to detail and exact obedience to God’s instructions finds parallel in Noah’s building of the ark (Genesis 6:22) and the future New Jerusalem’s precise measurements (Revelation 21).

Exodus 36 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to consider how we’re using our God-given skills and resources for His glory. The craftsmen’s dedication to excellence reminds us that whatever we do should be done as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). Their Spirit-empowered work encourages us to rely on God’s enablement rather than mere human ability.

The overwhelming generosity of the people provides a powerful model for giving. They gave until they had to be told to stop – when was the last time our churches faced such a “problem”? This challenges us to examine our own giving: Is it reluctant and measured, or does it flow from a heart of abundance and joy?

Did You Know

The term “wise-hearted” (חֲכַם־לֵ֛ב) appears more times in Exodus 35-36 than in any other portion of Scripture, emphasizing the unique combination of spiritual wisdom and practical skill required for building God’s dwelling place.
According to rabbinic tradition, the excessive materials that were brought were used to create additional structures around the Tabernacle that served educational purposes, teaching future generations about sacred service.
The blue dye (תְּכֵלֶת – techelet) mentioned in the text was derived from a specific species of snail (Murex trunculus), making it one of the most expensive materials used in the Tabernacle.
The curtains of the Tabernacle, when fully assembled, created a mathematical pattern that some scholars believe represented the dimensions of the universe as understood by ancient Israelites.
The phrase “morning by morning” (בַבֹּקֶר בַבֹּקֶר) in verse 3 uses a unique Hebrew construction that appears only three other times in the Torah, each time connecting to themes of God’s provision.
The cherubim woven into the curtains were considered so sacred that their exact form was kept secret, with only general descriptions passed down through oral tradition.
The total weight of materials used in the Tabernacle’s construction would have been approximately 1 ton of gold, 3.75 tons of silver, and 2.5 tons of bronze, making it an enormous undertaking for a traveling sanctuary.
The skills required for the Tabernacle’s construction included metallurgy, woodworking, weaving, dying, tanning, and embroidery – technologies that were surprisingly advanced for a recently liberated slave population.

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After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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