We continue today with details of the tabernacle that Israel is to build. This tabernacle will fulfill a number of purposes: it is the place in Israel’s camp where the LORD’s presence will dwell, and where the people will come to affirm their commitment to the LORD.

The design itself is representative of the LORD’s nature and expectations. It is both exquisite and simple. It is to be portable, yet made of the finest materials. It is not a representation of God – like a graven image or statue would be – but its space will be filled with His Holiness.

In a world where gods were local and limited, and whose shrines reflected these limits, this tabernacle – like this God – is unlike any structure in Israel’s experience.

I’ll draw your attention again to the precision of these instructions: how the curtains are to be coupled together; the number of clasps that would suspend them; the types of wood and metals and precious stones to be used; even the directions the walls should face. I encourage you to sketch out a diagram of this for yourself.

In chapter 28 Moses is commanded to “speak to all the skillful, whom [the LORD has] filled with a spirit of skill, to make garments for the priests. Aaron’s family will be ordained to serve in the priesthood, and Aaron will be elevated to serve as High Priest, to represent Israel before the LORD.

These garments are not only to be made “for glory and for beauty,” but also to indicate the practical significance of Aaron’s role. His clothing represented the unique status of Israel before the LORD, both His claim on them and their required faithfulness toward Him. Listen for how often the ideas of guilt, beauty, glory, and even death reappear.

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:24-25: By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Exodus chapters 26 through 28. Now let’s read it!

Day 26 Bible Only Podcast