Exodus Chapters 25-26

INTRODUCTION:

Yesterday I asked the Men at the Gate a question. Have you ever built something that was a challenge, really cool or you have a solid memory of? We had answers from a floating oil rig of sorts, a triangle shed in the backyard, a house, a saloon, an entertainment center and so on.... Some of these could be built alone, or solo, but most required a team of folks, at least under the direction of someone else. I think we can all agree that building things and doing it the right way takes detailed instructions, probably a little bit of planning, teamwork, time and money. Today we are going to see that the Israelites walked through their own building of something amazing following God’s lead.

What a journey the Israelites have been on so far and Moses up and down the mountain having sit downs with the Lord. This week we are reading through parts of Exodus 25 and 26 and it is time to build the Tabernacle.

Exodus 25 is about God giving Moses detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where God’s presence would dwell among the Israelites. God tells Moses to ask the people for voluntary offerings—think gold, silver, bronze, fancy fabrics, wood, oil, spices, and gemstones—to create this sacred space. The goal is to make a place where God can connect with His people. For you architects in the room this is right up your alley. For us free spirits we might get distracted by the color of the curtains…. hang in there…

Let’s start off in Exodus 25 verse 1….

Exodus 25:1-9

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair, tanned rams' skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

We are now going to see God lay out specs for three key items, or furniture to be created:

The Ark of the Covenant: A gold-covered wooden chest to hold the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments (referred to as the “testimony”). It’s topped with a gold lid called the "mercy seat," featuring two cherubim (angel-like figures) facing each other. This is God’s throne, from which He will meet and speak with Moses.

Fun Fact- Cherubims are often associated with God’s presence, glory, and divine protection. Far from the chubby, winged babies of later art, biblical cherubim are powerful, majestic, and awe-inspiring creatures

Let’s read it...

Exodus 25:10-22

“They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.

“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

Alright, so those are the instructions for the Ark of the Covenant and look at how detailed they were. Precise measurements. Now to the table and lamp stand.

The Table for the Bread of the Presence: A gold-covered wooden table to hold twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing God’s provision and the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Lampstand (Menorah): A solid gold, seven-branched lampstand with intricate floral designs, meant to keep the Tabernacle lit continuously, representing God’s light and guidance.

Everything has to be built exactly to God’s blueprint, being precise and showing reverence. The importance of creating a holy space for worship and connection with God, using the best materials the community can offer. We’ve looked at three of the items: The ark, the table and the lampstand. Now let’s look at the Tabernacle.

Exodus 26 continues God’s instructions to Moses for building the Tabernacle, focusing on its structure. It’s like a detailed blueprint for a portable, sacred tent where God’s presence will dwell with the Israelites. Everything is super specific, emphasizing quality and reverence.

Here’s the breakdown:

Tabernacle Curtains: The main tent is made of ten linen curtains, woven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, decorated with cherubim (powerful angelic beings). These are joined into two sets, clipped together with gold clasps, creating a fancy, unified covering.

Protective Layers: Over the linen curtains go eleven curtains of goat hair for weatherproofing, joined with bronze clasps. Then, two more layers—ram skins dyed red and a top layer of durable leather (possibly porpoise or badger skin)—to shield the tent from the elements. Porpoise or Badger…which one is it? Well people debate it, of course. The material tachash skins were waterproof, so that means they could have traded for it with coastal folks or maybe there was a tanning process involved. Back to the details.

Framework: The Tabernacle’s frame is built from acacia wood boards, overlaid with gold, set upright in silver bases. Crossbars hold it all together, forming a sturdy rectangular structure about 45 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 15 feet tall.

Inner Curtains and Rooms: A beautifully woven veil with cherubim separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (where the Ark of the Covenant will go). Another curtain serves as the entrance to the Tabernacle. These divide the space into sacred zones, with the Most Holy Place being the holiest spot.

Courtyard Setup: The instructions also cover the outer courtyard, surrounded by linen curtains hung on bronze pillars, creating a defined sacred area.

God stresses that everything must be built exactly as specified, highlighting the Tabernacle’s role as a holy, mobile space for worship and connection with Him.

So, how does all this get done? The body comes together and gives. We give our time and treasure to build something that brings God glory. We cannot do it alone. [ Pause ]

Let’s read a few of these verses in chapter 26 to understand the level of detail God continues to give Moses. Has anyone ever wished God would give them specific instructions in a situation?

Exodus 26 :1-6

Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise, you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. And you shall make fifty clasps of gold and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole.

The instructions are not done yet, but we are going to stop at 26 today so we can talk about an important question…

Do you believe God is calling us to build a place of worship? What is it going to take?

There is relevant application to these questions in these chapters: Giving from the Heart for God’s Glory

God Invites Giving (Exodus 25:1–2)

Point: God asks for voluntary offerings from those “whose heart prompts them to give” (25:2). Giving is an act of the heart

Giving Builds God’s Kingdom (Exodus 25:8–9, 26:1–30)

Point: The Tabernacle was a tangible expression of God’s presence among His people, made possible by their collective giving. Every contribution, from gold to goat hair, had a purpose in God’s design.

Obedient Giving Reflects Worship (Exodus 25:9, 40)

Point: The Israelites gave according to God’s precise instructions, showing obedience and reverence. Their giving was an act of worship, aligning their resources with God’s will.

Community Giving Strengthens Unity (Exodus 26:1–14)

Point: The Tabernacle’s construction required everyone’s participation, from skilled artisans to those offering simple materials. Giving united the Israelites in a shared purpose.

Conclusion:

Let me ask you again…Do you believe God is calling us to build a place of worship?

What is it going to take?

If you were able to attend our state of the church meeting last month, our Elders shared pieces of the vision God has given us. If you were not there or still having questions, Hope and I would love to sit down with you personally to talk. And if you struggle with the concept of giving as a part of your worship, we get it and would love to dialogue with you. Hope and I have personal testimonies and been eyewitnesses to what a community can do for God’s Glory when they give from the heart.

Look again at Exodus 25:1-2

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.

Now look at a New Testament verse 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 says

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”

Personal Challenge:

Call to Action: Reflect on your giving. “Is your heart prompted to give? How can your gifts build God’s kingdom?” Is the Lord asking you to commit to regular tithing, volunteering, or supporting church ministries?

Is He calling you to be part of building upon the vision set forth for our church, to reach people with the life changing truth of Jesus Christ?

Like the Israelites, your giving makes an impact for the Kingdom…all I am asking is for you take one of the giving envelopes home with you and ask the Lord… is there something He is asking of you when it comes to giving and His work through us here at 7 Creeks Church?