Exodus 36

G-d has work for His people to do. When we say “Yes” to the calling of G-d in our lives we will be individuals who are recipients of His provision.

v1: Gifted – G-d gave these men wisdom and understanding. He placed it in them for the purpose of being able to carry out His work. When we are committed to the purpose of G-d He will supply us with wisdom and understanding.

v2: Their hearts were stirred, lifted up. This is not simply a term of motivation, but it’s a term of a new perspective.

· To come and do – There is an emphasis on, once redeemed, we have work to do (not for salvation…but as a testimony that we are saved)

v3: The heart of generosity continued with these people. They gave because they were compelled to do so by a generous spirit.

v4: These men temporarily stopped their work in order to tell Moses something.

v5: They told Moses that what had been received was more than sufficient to complete the work they had been called to DO (emphasised yet again!).

v6: Here we see it was both the men and the women who were displaying generosity. These people in the wilderness were committed to worshiping G-d. When the tabernacle was ready there was going to be a change in the way the people worshipped G-d. The tabernacle took them to a new level, a type of worship based upon revelation. This was all made possible by their generosity and by their willingness to work.

v7: There was an abundance – even a surplus. When we submit to G-d’s way and purpose we are going to find that He will supply, supernaturally, more than is sufficient (Luke 6:38)

v8-13: The instructions have been given (in previous chapters), but in the rest of this chapter we see the fleshing out of those commandments/instructions. These verses speak about the basic structure of the tabernacle.

v14-17: These verses deal with the construction of the covering (like another tent) that went over the main frame of the tabernacle (as described in the previous verses).

v18: That it might be one – one speaks of unity (see also Zech 14:9, a righteous unity reflects G-d’s glory).

v19: This covering was like a lid. It was made of two types of skins – in order that there would be a separation between the world and the tabernacle. This teaches us that we cannot be of the world when we worship G-d.

v20-34: These next few verses focus on the structure of the tabernacle. When we look at how the tabernacle was made we find that it was constructed to be very stable. When we live in a manner that brings G-d’s presence into our lives it will bring great stability into our lives, but when we ignore or are casual with the instructions of G-d it is going to bring about instability.

v22: A tenon is a kind of joint (a projecting piece of wood made for insertion, interlocking, into a mortise in another piece)

v35: This (thick) veil separated the Most Holy Place and the Holy Place.

v36: This veil was not supported with wooden planks but with pillars.

· Cast – it means that they were made from a melted material (not hammered or chiseled).

v37: A weaver has to do with embroidery – so it is a finer type of labour.

v38: These pillars were now for the screen – the entrance into the tabernacle.