◄ Exodus 38 ►
Book Study • Verse Study • Study Que
Summary An Inventory of Materials Bezalel's craftsmanship, together with the congregation's generous offerings, illustrates a community united in their dedication to God. It serves as a poignant reminder that every offering, great or small, contributes to the beauty of the church, and that our collective efforts in service create spaces of worship that honor God. The Altar of Burnt Offering (verses 1-8) Bezalel builds the altar of acacia wood, overlaid with bronze, and its utensils. It is designed to be hollow and portable. The Bronze Basin (verse 9) Bezalel creates the bronze basin from the mirrors of the women serving at the Tent of Meeting. Constructing the Courtyard (verses 10-20) Bezalel constructs the courtyard with finely spun linen curtains, bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands. The Entrance Curtain (verses 21-24) Bezalel creates the entrance curtain, decorated with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. Tabernacle Inventory (verses 25-28) Bezalel and Oholiab complete everything commanded by Moses, under the direction of Ithamar. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Contributions (verses 29-34) A detailed account of the congregation's offerings used in the construction of the sanctuary and its items. This chapter illustrates Bezalel's remarkable skill and devotion in crafting sacred structures for worship. He constructs the altar of burnt offering, the bronze basin, and the courtyard, followed by a detailed inventory of the tabernacle and an account of the congregation's generous offerings. Teaching Points The Altar of Burnt Offering Exodus 38:1-7 describes the construction of the altar, made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze. This altar was central to the sacrificial system, symbolizing atonement and reconciliation with God. The Bronze Basin In verses 8, the bronze basin is crafted from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. This basin was used for ceremonial washing, emphasizing the importance of purity and preparation before approaching God. The Courtyard Verses 9-20 detail the construction of the courtyard, including its dimensions and materials. The courtyard served as a boundary, setting apart the sacred space and reminding the Israelites of the holiness of God. The Inventory of Materials Verses 21-31 provide an account of the materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle, underscoring the generosity and willingness of the people to contribute to God's work. Practical Applications Commitment to Worship Just as the Israelites dedicated their resources and skills to build the Tabernacle, we are called to commit our time, talents, and treasures to the service of God. Pursuit of Holiness The emphasis on purity and preparation in the Tabernacle's construction reminds us of the importance of living a life set apart for God, striving for holiness in our daily actions. Generosity in Giving The willingness of the Israelites to give freely for the construction of the Tabernacle challenges us to be generous in supporting our local church and community. People 1. Bezalel Bezalel is mentioned in Exodus 38:22. He is the chief artisan responsible for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Bezalel is from the tribe of Judah and is described as being filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship. The Hebrew root for his name, בְּצַלְאֵל (Betsal'el), means "in the shadow of God," indicating divine protection and inspiration. 2. Oholiab Oholiab is mentioned alongside Bezalel in Exodus 38:23. He is from the tribe of Dan and serves as Bezalel's assistant. Oholiab is skilled in engraving, designing, and embroidering with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. His name, אָהֳלִיאָב (Oholi'av), can be translated as "father's tent," which may symbolize his role in the creation of the sacred space of the Tabernacle. Places 1. The Tabernacle The central place described in Exodus 38 is the Tabernacle, which is the portable sanctuary constructed by the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The chapter details the making of the altar of burnt offering, the bronze basin, and the courtyard, all of which are part of the Tabernacle complex. The Hebrew term for Tabernacle is "מִשְׁכָּן" (mishkan), meaning "dwelling place," signifying its role as the dwelling place of God among His people. While Exodus 38 does not mention other specific geographical locations, the Tabernacle itself is a significant and central place in the narrative of the Israelites' journey and worship practices. Events 1. Construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering (Exodus 38:1-7) Bezalel made the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood. It was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide, and three cubits high. The altar had horns on its four corners, which were of one piece with it, and it was overlaid with bronze. Bezalel also made all the utensils of the altar—pots, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans—from bronze. A bronze grating, a network under the ledge of the altar, was cast and placed beneath the altar, halfway up from the base. Poles of acacia wood overlaid with bronze were made to carry the altar. 2. Making the Bronze Basin (Exodus 38:8) Bezalel made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The Hebrew word for "mirrors" (מַרְאוֹת, mar'ot) indicates polished metal surfaces used for reflection. 3. Construction of the Courtyard (Exodus 38:9-20) The courtyard was constructed with hangings of fine twisted linen, 100 cubits long on the south and north sides, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands. The west side was 50 cubits long with ten posts and bases. The east side was also 50 cubits, with hangings on either side of the entrance. The entrance curtain was made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely spun linen, embroidered with needlework. The courtyard's posts were banded with silver, and their hooks were silver, while the bases were bronze. 4. Inventory of Materials (Exodus 38:21-31) Moses recorded the inventory of materials used for the Tabernacle, as commanded by the LORD. Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest, was responsible for the accounts. The total amount of gold used was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. The silver collected from the community was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, used for casting the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the curtain. The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels, used for the altar, its utensils, and the bases of the courtyard. Connections to Additional Scriptures Hebrews 9:11-14 This passage connects the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle. 1 Peter 2:5 Believers are described as living stones being built into a spiritual house, highlighting our role in God's ongoing work. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Encourages cheerful giving, reflecting the spirit of generosity seen in the contributions for the Tabernacle. Prayer Points Thanksgiving for God's Provision Thank God for His provision and the resources He has entrusted to us, asking for wisdom in using them for His glory. Desire for Holiness Pray for a deeper desire to pursue holiness and purity in our lives, seeking to honor God in all we do. Willingness to Serve Ask God to cultivate a heart of service and generosity, willing to contribute to His work in our communities and beyond. As we reflect on Exodus 38, may we be inspired by the dedication and devotion of the Israelites, seeking to honor God with our lives and resources. Bible Study Questions 1. What is the significance of Bezalel's role in constructing the sacred structures? 2. How does the construction of the altar of burnt offering symbolize the purpose of worship? 3. What is the significance of the bronze basin and its origin from the mirrors of the serving women? 4. Why are the details of the courtyard, its posts, bases, and curtains, important to the overall narrative? 5. How do the blue, purple, and scarlet yarns used in the entrance curtain reflect the holiness of the space within? 6. What does the inventory of the tabernacle signify about the value of every element used in worship? 7. How do the contributions of the congregation emphasize the role of community in worship? 8. What can we learn from the detailed descriptions of the construction process? How can we apply these lessons to our own spiritual lives? 9. What is the significance of the sanctuary being constructed by the community's offerings? 10. In what ways does this chapter symbolize the relationship between God and His people? 11. How does the concept of crafting sacred spaces translate into our contemporary worship contexts? 12. What can we learn from the unity and cooperation among Bezalel, Oholiab, and the rest of the community? 13. How do the different items used in the sanctuary represent aspects of our relationship with God? 14. How do the actions of Bezalel and Oholiab serve as an example of using one's skills for God's glory? 15. In what ways can we relate the communal participation in building the tabernacle to the modern-day church community? 16. How might the concept of the burnt offering altar resonate with today's concept of sacrifice? 17. How can the transparency in the accounting of the contributions inspire integrity in our present-day dealings within our worship communities? 18. How can we understand the transformation of the women's mirrors into a basin in a symbolic sense? 19. What role does artistic beauty and aesthetic value play in our worship spaces and practices today? 20. How can we use our own skills and resources to contribute to our communities and honor God today? Topics 1. Construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering (Exodus 38:1-7) This section describes the making of the altar of burnt offering, which was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze. The altar was square, with horns on its corners, and included utensils such as pots, shovels, basins, forks, and firepans, all made of bronze. The Hebrew term for altar, "מִזְבֵּחַ" (mizbeach), signifies a place of sacrifice, central to the worship practices of the Israelites. 2. Making the Bronze Basin (Exodus 38:8) The bronze basin, used for ceremonial washing, was crafted from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. This highlights the role of women in contributing to the sacred space. The Hebrew word for basin, "כִּיּוֹר" (kiyor), indicates a vessel for washing, emphasizing purification. 3. Construction of the Courtyard (Exodus 38:9-20) This passage details the construction of the courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle, including its dimensions, materials, and the making of the curtains and pillars. The courtyard served as a boundary for the sacred area, with the Hebrew term "חָצֵר" (chatser) denoting an enclosed space, signifying separation from the profane. 4. Inventory of Materials (Exodus 38:21-31) The chapter concludes with an inventory of the materials used for the Tabernacle, overseen by Ithamar, son of Aaron. This includes the amounts of gold, silver, and bronze contributed by the Israelites. The Hebrew word for inventory, "פְּקוּדִים" (pekudim), implies a detailed accounting, reflecting the importance of stewardship and transparency in the use of resources for God's work. Themes 1. Construction of the Altar of Burnt Offering Exodus 38 begins with the detailed construction of the altar of burnt offering. This theme highlights the importance of sacrifice in the worship practices of the Israelites. The altar, made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, signifies the need for atonement and the centrality of sacrificial offerings in maintaining a covenant relationship with God. The Hebrew word for altar, "מִזְבֵּחַ" (mizbeach), underscores its role as a place of sacrifice. 2. Making of the Bronze Basin The chapter describes the making of the bronze basin and its stand, which were used for ceremonial washing. This theme emphasizes the necessity of purification and cleanliness before approaching God. The basin, made from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, symbolizes the transformation from vanity to sanctity. 3. Construction of the Courtyard The construction of the courtyard is detailed, including its dimensions and materials. This theme reflects the ordered and structured approach to worship, as well as the separation between the sacred and the profane. The courtyard served as a boundary, delineating the holy space where God's presence dwelled. 4. Materials Used in the Tabernacle The chapter provides an account of the materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle, including gold, silver, and bronze. This theme highlights the generosity and willingness of the Israelites to contribute to the work of God. The Hebrew term "תְּרוּמָה" (terumah), meaning offering or contribution, underscores the communal effort in creating a dwelling place for God. 5. Role of Bezalel and Oholiab The skilled craftsmanship of Bezalel and Oholiab is acknowledged in the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. This theme underscores the importance of God-given talents and skills in fulfilling divine purposes. Their work exemplifies obedience and dedication to God's instructions, as they were filled with the Spirit of God to carry out the work. 6. Obedience to Divine Instructions Throughout Exodus 38, there is a recurring emphasis on following the precise instructions given by God for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. This theme highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. The meticulous adherence to God's blueprint reflects the Israelites' commitment to honoring His presence among them. Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions