The Bible Recap — Day 042: Exodus 36-38 (Year 8)

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: February 11, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble recaps Exodus chapters 36–38, highlighting the Israelites’ enthusiastic participation in building the tabernacle. She explores how their obedience and generosity signal a restored relationship with God after their rebellion, and she draws connections between the tabernacle’s details and the foreshadowing of Christ. Tara-Leigh encourages listeners to find God’s presence and purpose even in routine or “dry” seasons—both in ancient Israel and in modern spiritual life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joyful Generosity and Overwhelming Contributions

• The Israelites, stirred by God, contribute more than enough resources for building the tabernacle.
• “They’re dropping things off every morning. They are decluttering their tents like crazy. So much so that Moses has to tell them to stop. I love how God over provided here. This really signals repentance on their parts.” (01:06)
• Tara-Leigh links their overflowing donations to true repentance and notes God’s kindness, referencing Romans 2:4.

2. From Rebellion to Obedience

• Tara-Leigh emphasizes that the repetition of tabernacle instructions and their fulfillment serve an important narrative purpose:
  • “The point of this repetition is to highlight that the people who just rebelled were actually following God’s instructions to the letter. Don’t miss that.” (02:08)
• She urges listeners to appreciate this rare moment: “We are going to have plenty of opportunities to be frustrated with their sins. So let’s just take a moment to enjoy and appreciate this rare moment of obedience.” (02:30)

3. Symbolism of the Tabernacle Furnishings

• Cobble draws meaning from each piece of tabernacle furniture, explaining how it prefigures aspects of Christ and believers’ relationship with God:
  • Brazen Altar: Sacrifice of Christ
  • Bronze Laver: Being washed clean
  • Table of Showbread: Feasting on the Word
  • Altar of Incense: Prayer
  • Menorah (Candlestick): The continual light of the Holy Spirit
  • Ark of the Covenant/Mercy Seat: God’s presence
• “Hebrews 9:10 tells us this is all just a shadow of the good things to come. This right now is foreshadowing Christ.” (03:10)

4. Parallels to Creation

• The tabernacle’s seven pieces of furniture mirror the seven days of creation, with the mercy seat paralleling the Sabbath rest (04:09).

5. Personal Reflection and Modern Application

• Tara-Leigh likens the Israelites’ journey to listeners’ spiritual journeys, relating moments of rebellion and moments of joyful giving.
• “Surely you already recognize yourself in these people a little bit. … I have a feeling you’re in more of the second place right now.” (05:01)

6. God in the Ordinary

• The episode’s central encouragement: God is present not only in big moments but also in the routine.
  • “He’s in the ritual. He’s in the ordinary. … They kept at it, trusting beyond their own understanding that doing these things over and over really did serve some kind of purpose.” (06:09)
  • “Drawing near to God bit by bit will always be worth the slow days because he’s where the joy is.” (06:54)

7. Weekly Check-In and Encouragement

• Tara-Leigh invites listeners to reflect on their journeys, emphasizing God’s enduring presence in daily life—from Bible reading to everyday chores.
  • “God is still here with us day in and day out. He’s with you as you’re reading through His Word. … He’s with you when you’re washing dishes, when you’re filling up your gas tank, when you’re changing diapers, and when you’re scrolling social media.” (07:20)
• She concludes with a prayer for increased awareness of God’s presence and an encouragement to cultivate lifelong habits of drawing near to Him.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Over-Provision and Repentance:
  “They’re dropping things off every morning. They are decluttering their tents like crazy. So much so that Moses has to tell them to stop. I love how God over provided here. This really signals repentance on their parts.” (01:06)
• Appreciating Obedience:
  “Let’s just take a moment to enjoy and appreciate this rare moment of obedience. If it might be boring, but it’s glorifying to God nonetheless.” (02:30)
• On Christ and the Tabernacle:
  “The tabernacle and its furnishings and all the rituals associated with it...this is all just a shadow of the good things to come. This right now is foreshadowing Christ.” (03:10)
• God in the Everyday:
  “He’s in the ritual. He’s in the ordinary. ... Even in the spaces that feel routine or humdrum.” (06:09),
  “Drawing near to God bit by bit will always be worth the slow days because He’s where the joy is.” (06:54)

Important Timestamps

• 00:15 – Recap of previous episode and context for today’s reading
• 01:06 – Israelites’ donations and Moses instructing them to stop
• 02:08 – Explanation of textual repetition and significance of obedience
• 03:10 – Symbolic meaning of tabernacle furnishings and foreshadowing of Christ
• 04:09 – Parallels between tabernacle and creation
• 05:01 – Relating the Israelites’ journey to personal faith journeys
• 06:09 – Reflections on God’s presence in daily routines and rituals
• 07:20 – Weekly check-in and broad encouragement for listeners

Summary

Tara-Leigh Cobble’s recap of Exodus 36–38 celebrates Israel’s obedience in constructing the tabernacle, underscores the deep symbolism woven into its structure, and offers heartfelt encouragement to see God in all things—especially the mundane. Listeners are reminded that building the habit of drawing near to God, even in routine moments, is eternally rewarding because, as Tara-Leigh frequently says, “He’s where the joy is.”