Hello and welcome to today’s exciting Bible study on Exodus 35-40. In these six chapters, we will read and study about Moses collecting the offerings for the construction of the tabernacle and its articles , the priestly garments and so on. According to biblical scholars, the events of Exodus 35-39 occurred around 1446 B.C. Exodus 40 took place in 1445 B.C. and is the last chapter of the book of Exodus.
As usual, I encourage you to turn to Exodus 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 in your Bible. Kindly invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read and study these chapters 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.
Backstory on Exodus 34
In Exodus 34, we read about Moses making new tablets, and God rewrote the commandments on them. God also renewed His covenant with the Israelites. When Moses came down the mountain, His face was shining. Since the Israelites were afraid of his shining face, Moses put a veil on his face when he was with the Israelites. He removed the veil when he entered the tabernacle to meet God.
Now, without any further delay, let us study together and learn what Exodus 35-40 is about, shall we?
Exodus 35-40 Summary
Moses emphasized the Sabbath regulations to the Israelites, declaring that anyone who works on the Sabbath shall be put to death. He invited the Israelites to contribute willingly to the construction of the tabernacle and instructed skilled artisans to create its articles. Bezalel from the tribe of Judah was chosen by the Lord to perform various artistic works, including gold, silver, and bronze, as well as jewel cutting and wood carving. God also equipped another man named Aholiab, from the tribe of Dan, with the skills needed for engraving, designing, and tapestry making in fine materials.
Bezalel, Aholiab, and every skilled artisan whom the Lord had filled with wisdom received offerings from the Israelites through Moses. The people brought more than enough materials needed to construct everything that the Lord had commanded. Consequently, Moses instructed the people to cease their offerings, as there was already an abundance. Then, all the skilled artisans proceeded to build the tabernacle according to the Lord’s instructions.
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Ark of the testimony, Showbread table, Gold lampstand, Altar of incense, Anointing oil and Incense
Bezalel made the Ark of the Testimony, the table for the showbread, the gold lampstand, the altar of incense, the anointing oil, and the incense, all according to the Lord’s instructions to Moses.
Bezalel crafted the altar for burnt offerings, along with its utensils and the bronze laver and its base. He also constructed the courtyard of the tabernacle. The inventory pertaining to the tabernacle, known as the Tabernacle of the Testimony, was compiled under the command of Moses for the service of the Levites by Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest. According to the inventory, Bezalel, the son of Uri from the tribe of Judah, completed everything that the Lord had commanded Moses. He was assisted by Aholiab from the tribe of Dan, who was an engraver, designer, and weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, as well as fine linen.
The total amount of gold used was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred thirty shekels. A talent is approximately 34 kilograms of gold, meaning that 29 talents equal about 986 kilograms of gold, which is significant. A shekel weighs around 11 grams of gold, totaling about 8.03 kilograms for the shekels. Thus, the total amount of gold used was approximately 994.03 kilograms.
Additionally, one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels of silver were collected, amounting to approximately between 3,000 and 3,700 kilograms. A bekah, which is half a shekel, was given for each man aged twenty years and older, totaling six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men. Finally, seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels of bronze were contributed, resulting in a total of about 2,124 to 2,500 kilograms of bronze.
The garments of the priesthood, including the ephod, the breastplate, and the other priestly garments, were made according to the Lord’s instructions given to Moses. All the work on the tabernacle was completed as the Lord had commanded. Moses inspected all the work, and he saw that the people had done everything according to the Lord’s instructions. Then, Moses blessed them.
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Exodus 40 (1445 B.C.)
The cloud and the glory
The Lord spoke to Moses on the first day of the first month, instructing him to set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. He detailed how to arrange the tent and place everything inside it, and how to set its court and the screen at the court gate.
The Lord commanded them on how to use the anointing oil on everything that was constructed. God instructed Moses to wash Aaron and his sons at the tabernacle entrance and to dress Aaron in holy garments for his priestly service. Aaron’s sons were to be dressed in tunics and anointed like their father.
Moses followed the Lord’s instructions and raised the tabernacle on the first day of the first month in the second year. He placed the testimony in the ark with the manna and the Ten Commandments, fulfilling all of the Lord’s requirements.
After Moses completed his work, the cloud covered the tabernacle, and God’s glory filled it, preventing Moses from entering. The Israelites would only proceed in their journeys when the cloud lifted; if it remained, they stayed put. The cloud of the Lord remained above the tabernacle by day, and at night, fire was over it for all of Israel to see throughout their journeys.
Exodus 35-40 Commentary
1. Exodus 35:4-9
The Lord never forced anyone to offer anything. Only those who were willing among the Israelites were to bring offerings for the construction of the tabernacle, its articles, and other things. They were not just contributing to the construction of what the Lord had commanded through Moses; they were offering their gifts to the Lord Himself.
2. Exodus 35:26
It was God who inspired women with wisdom, enabling them to skillfully spin yarn from goat hair. This task required both creativity and skill. God often calls individuals who may seem unqualified; however, through their willingness to pursue what He requires, they become equipped for the task. This is not to suggest that women lack wisdom or skill. Instead, it focuses on the specific ability to spin yarn from goat hair in the desert.
3. Exodus 35:30-35
It was God who filled Bezalel and Aholiab with wisdom, and it was not for their own glory or credit. Each of them had unique skills in artistic works. God gives gifts and talents to each person as He sees fit because not everyone is suited for the same tasks. This doesn’t mean we should think highly of ourselves and our talents. Instead, we should acknowledge who bestowed the talents in the first place. These talents are meant to be used so that others can benefit from them, witness God’s blessings on us, and give glory to God. It is important for us to focus on our own relationship with God rather than comparing ourselves to what He has blessed others with. Instead, we should strive to work in harmony with one another.
4. Exodus 36-38
I don’t have much to say about these chapters, as they are quite self-explanatory. They detail the actual work being done with all its intricacies. God is a God of order, and He is very detail-oriented. We understand His nature through the specific instructions He provides. Chapter 38 also records an early inventory of everything used in the work of the Lord, which included a massive amount of gold, silver, and bronze.
Most of these items were borrowed from the Egyptians, as instructed by the Lord before the Israelites left Egypt. During their time in Egypt, the Israelites were forced to work as slaves, so they likely did not possess such wealth on their own. This was part of a wealth transfer ordained by God, and the Egyptians gladly gave it to the Israelites because they were eager for them to leave due to the ten plagues that God had inflicted upon them.
5. Exodus 39:42-43
Although the Israelites initially rebelled by creating a golden calf, they later chose to obey the Lord. In the end, they fulfilled all the commands given to them perfectly. Moses was pleased with their efforts and blessed the people.
6. Exodus 40:34-38
The cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled it. This marked the beginning of God officially dwelling with the Israelites. He personally guided them on all their journeys, deciding when they should go and when they should stay. During the day, the cloud was visible at the tabernacle of meeting, and at night, there was fire above it. The Israelites saw God’s cloud and fire throughout their travels. The cloud and the fire represents the visible glory of the invisible God.
Exodus 35-40 Lessons/Revelations
What can we learn from Exodus 35-40?
1. God always wanted to dwell with man
God has always desired to dwell with man, a desire that is first evident in His creation of Adam and Eve, whom He met in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden. He also established a covenant with Abraham, as there is no other species with whom He could make such an agreement, except for the humans He created. God made man in His image so that He could have a relationship with him and share in His love. Exodus 35-40 illustrates how much God cared for and loved His people, that He ordered the construction of the tabernacle and gave them precise instructions. The entire tabernacle was constructed so that God could live among His people, lead them, and guide them.
2. God filled specific people with wisdom for doing specific tasks
There is worldly wisdom and then there is godly wisdom. God filled specific people with wisdom so that they could understand all that He had commanded Moses. God spoke to Moses and provided him with all the necessary instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and other things associated with it. Moses, in turn, had to convey these instructions to the Israelites. Without any 3D software or drawings to show to the skilled artisans, it was a challenging task to design something accurately based solely on verbal descriptions. It requires extraordinary wisdom to interpret and execute such precise instructions. God granted these individuals the special wisdom needed to translate Moses’s directives into the tangible result—the Tabernacle and its articles. When God leads you to do something, He Himself will provide the means and instructions for it.
3. God never leaves us nor forsakes us
God’s visible glory was present with the Israelites at all times, despite their previous rebellion with the golden calf. The people set out on their journey when the cloud lifted from the tabernacle and remained in place when the cloud was present over the tabernacle. The glory of God that filled the tabernacle represented His presence. He directed their journey and led them along the way. When God asks you to take action, and you begin to follow His guidance, you will discover that He will lead and guide you. He will never leave you nor forsake you because His Holy Spirit indwells you as a believer. When God promises something, we can trust Him because He never breaks His promises, as He values His word even more than His name.
Conclusion
This concludes the bible study on Exodus 35-40. 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 35-40. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I will get back to you as soon as I can. This brings us to the end of the book of Exodus. The next bible study will be on Leviticus.
Until next time!