Hello and welcome to today’s exciting Bible study on Exodus 26 and 27. In this chapter, we will read and study about God’s instructions to the Israelites through Moses concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and the altar of burnt offerings. According to biblical scholars, the events of Exodus 26 and 27 occurred around 1446 B.C.
As usual, I encourage you to turn to Exodus 26 and 27 in your Bible. Kindly invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read and study Exodus 26 and 27 with me. I mention this in all the Bible Studies because it is only through the Holy Spirit that we get fresh revelation and knowledge to understand the word of God. No one else can teach you better than the Holy Spirit Himself. I am using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, just in case you want to know.
In the Bible Study on Exodus 25 we read and learned about God’s instructions for the sanctuary, the Ark of the testimony and the Golden lampstand. In this bible study on Exodus 26 and 27, we will learn about God’s instructions for the preparation of the Tabernacle and the Altar of Burnt Offerings.
Backstory on Exodus 25
In Exodus 25, the Lord gives specific instructions to Moses concerning the construction of the Ark of the Testimony, The Showbread table and its utensils and the Golden Lampstand. He instructs Moses to collect specific offerings of various materials, metals, wood, oil and spices for the anointing oil from His people who were willing to give towards the construction of the Lord’s Sanctuary. Moses was to instruct people based on the pattern that the Lord showed him on the mountain regarding the construction of the Sanctuary.
Now, without any further delay, let us study together and learn what Exodus 26 and 27 are about, shall we?
Exodus 26 and Exodus 27 Summary
The Lord instructed Moses to prepare ten curtains of the same measurements of fine woven linen and blue, purple and scarlet threads. The curtains were to contain artistic designs of cherubim and five curtains shall be coupled together which supposedly would be five curtains on each side coupled together. A curtain of goat’s hair was to be made as a tent of the tabernacle and He instructed Moses to make eleven curtains. He also instructed to make a covering of ram’s skins dyed red for the tabernacle and a covering of badger skins above the rams skin.
He gave special instructions of how to make the veil with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and fine linen woven with an artistic design of cherubim. The Ark of the Testimony was to be placed behind the veil in the Most Holy Place. The veil shall be a divider between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The showbread table was to be set outside the veil on the north (in the Holy place), and the Golden Lampstand was to be set across from the table on the side of the Tabernacle towards the south.
Here is an approximate visual represtation of the Tabernacle covering: (Copyright: Jeremy Park at Bible-Scenes.com)
God gave Moses instructions to construct the altar of the burnt offering. The altar must be a square with horns on four corners attached to the altar and it must be made of bronze. The pans, shovels, basins, forks and firepans were to be made of bronze too. The Lord also required them to prepare the court of the Tabernacle.
He commanded Moses that His people were to bring pure olive oil for the lampstand and Aaron and his sons were to tend it from evening until morning before the Lord as a statute forever and their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.
Here is an approximate visual representation of the burnt offering altar (Copypright – Jeremy Park at Bible-Scenes.com)and the tabernacle’s court (Copyright: Immersive History):
Exodus 26 and 27 Commentary
1. Exodus 26:33
The ark of the testimony with the mercy seat on top of the ark was to be placed in the Most Holy Place behind the veil. It is interesting to note that when Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary for us, the veil was torn into two from top to bottom – Matthew 27:51.
2. Exodus 27:1-4
The bronze square altar was the altar where the sacrificed animals were to be burnt. It was to be made of bronze because it is non-combustible; it has a high melting point, and it can resist fire. Jesus was our ultimate sacrifice. The altar was a picture of what was to come.
3. Exodus 27:20
God required the lamp to burn continually, including all throughout the night. Light shines in the darkness. They couldn’t stop ministering to God just because it was night. And if you think about it, light is especially needed in darkness, practically and metaphorically speaking. We need to shine the Light of Jesus Christ in this dark world. Aaron and the priests just couldn’t put the lamps off and go to sleep in the evening. They were instructed to tend to it from evening till morning.
Exodus 25 Lessons
What can we learn from Exodus 25?
1. God is a God of details and order
There is an order to everything that the Lord does. There is nothing uncertain with the Lord. His instructions for every detail of the curtains, the tent, the veil, the tabernacle, the court, and even the placement of the lampstand and the showbread table is very precise. Since, we are His people, we must also follow in His footsteps and be orderly in the things we do. Ask God for instructions concerning your life and situations, and He will tell you exactly what to do.
2. Keep the oil flowing and the lamp burning
God told Moses that His people were to continuously supply olive oil to keep the lamps burning. The oil spiritually describes the Holy Spirit and the anointing. The lamp describes Jesus Christ. We must be full of the Holy Spirit and do what the Lord asks us to do through His word and His Spirit. His Word and Spirit work hand in hand just like the oil and the lamp. We see this during Jesus’s time on Earth. His ministry began only after He was baptized with the Holy Spirit. The lamp cannot burn without the oil. The Lord instructed Moses that the Israelites were to bring fresh oil every day. Jesus didn’t do any miracles before the Holy Spirit descended on Him. Keep the oil and the anointing fresh by reading and studying the Word of God and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
This concludes the bible study on Exodus 26 and Exodus 27. I hope you enjoyed this free bible study and found it helpful in your Bible study journey. Feel free to share it with your friends and family. Also, share your thoughts and what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you about Exodus 26 and 27. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Until next time!