Exodus 37-38: Design of the Ark of the Testimony and furniture of Tabernacle holy places

What does all this architectural and interior design detail of the Tabernacle and its furniture mean? What is God showing us? How does this involve us personally? There is a physical building and objects, but every detail is a picture of spiritual reality and the transformation God wants to do in each of us. and it holds lots of meaning. Each item had a function, as does each person in God’s dwelling place — His people.

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In Exodus 37–38 we understand how much skill and foresight God gave Bezalel and Oholiab to be able to accomplish the design that God gave Moses on the mountain. Although many people built the Tabernacle, only these two men are specifically named.

The ark was made first and then the mercy seat. The testimonies, aka the 10 Commandments, were stored in the ark. They are actually witnesses against us (Col. 2:13–14; cf. Josh. 24:27; Jer. 31:31–34).

The ark was covered inside and out with gold. There were four rings of gold on the four corners. We have an approximation of what the ark looked like.

They also built the mercy seat, which is literally an atonement seat. The mercy seat covers the testimonies and was on top of the ark.

The cherubim that were on top of the ark would have been gorgeous and incredible. They have the honor of being around His seat of atonement. They were looking downward at the seat, the throne of God.

There’s gold on the ark, the mercy seat, the cherubim and all the items directly related to the Holy of Holies (Most Holy Place) were either made of gold or covered in gold.

The lamp-stand was also made of pure gold to look like an almond tree. They used almond blossoms and buds as decorative elements of a talent of gold. The branches would have been straight, not curved up or down.

The altar of incense, which was covered with gold, was placed near the Holy of Holies. Why didn’t he use a more sturdy metal like stainless steel? It’s because both gold and silver has to go through a fire seven time to reach purity. These items symbolize purity, because God Himself is pure.

The anointing oil is the sixth item that is detailed here. There’s more information about the ingredients of the anointing oil in Exodus 30. The anointing oil was a blend of essentials oils that were to be used to anoint the Tabernacle and all the items that were to be placed in the Tabernacle to consecrate them as holy. Anyone touching them must be holy as well. The oil itself was holy and should not be used for common things.

The altar of the burnt offering and the items mentioned after it are mostly made with bronze with a few items made of silver. There is also a lot of linen used to make the Tabernacle but it was not plain linen but woven with blue, purple and scarlet linen. Even the gate of the tabernacle was made with gorgeously woven linen.

When we are going to be present with God, we aren’t going to look as we look now. He will glorify us as a reflection of His glory and power. The greatest gift you can give to God is a whole (burnt) offering. This isn’t just how the Tabernacle was made, but how He looks at us. What is on the outside of the walls doesn’t enter into the inside, yet the gates are open.

Whether we are gold or silver, God will refine us seven times — refine us completely.

Speaker: Richard. Summary: Tammy.