Materials For The Tabernacle
February 17, 2020
Commentary
Finally, an inventory was taken of all the materials used for the total construction of the tabernacle (vv. 21–31). The skilled craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab, are mentioned again (vv. 21–22). They faithfully completed every task the LORD had commanded through Moses. This record was carefully kept by the Levites under the supervision of Ithamar, Aaron’s youngest son (v. 23). Every item used for building the tabernacle was listed and valued in full detail. The LORD wanted His people to see that nothing offered for His dwell-ing place was wasted. He noticed every gift and each giver, reminding us that every contribution—large or small—is important to Him. Just as Jesus watched people bring their offerings to the temple (Mark 12:41), the LORD still sees the heart behind every act of giving today.
The record included the amounts of gold, silver, and bronze collected for the work. Someone has estimated that the gold, totaling 29 talents and 730 shekels, equaled about 40,940 ounces. At $500 per ounce, that would be worth over $20 million today. The silver, around 141,000 ounces, would be valued at about $4 million if priced at $30 per ounce. The bronze, though less valuable, was also given generously. These amounts show the great devotion of the Israelites, who gave freely to honor their LORD. Verses 25–26 reveal that over 600,000 men were counted, suggesting that the total population exceeded two million. The people had been slaves in Egypt, yet they offered their treasures willingly for the LORD’s glory. Their giving reflected thankful hearts and joyful obedience, teaching that true worship includes both devotion and generosity.
Application
When I see how carefully the Israelites gave and recorded every gift for the LORD’s work, I’m reminded that God values generosity and honesty. Do I give joyfully and with integrity, knowing He sees my heart? How can I use my time, money, and skills this week to serve the LORD faithfully and honor Him with my giving?
Exodus 38:1–20 (NET)
1 Bezalel made the altar for the burnt offering of acacia wood 7½ feet long and 7½ feet wide—it was square—and its height was 4½ feet. 2 He made its horns on its four corners; its horns were part of it, and he overlaid it with bronze. 3 He made all the utensils of the altar—the pots, the shovels, the tossing bowls, the meat hooks, and the fire pans—he made all its utensils of bronze. 4 He made a grating for the altar, a network of bronze under its ledge, halfway up from the bottom. 5 He cast four rings for the four corners of the bronze grating, to provide places for the poles. 6 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. 7 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made the altar hollow, out of boards.
8 He made the large basin of bronze and its pedestal of bronze from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
9 Bezalel made the courtyard. For the south side the hangings of the courtyard were of fine twisted linen, 150 feet long, 10 with their twenty posts and their twenty bronze bases, with the hooks of the posts and their bands of silver. 11 For the north side the hangings were 150 feet, with their twenty posts and their twenty bronze bases, with the hooks of the posts and their bands of silver. 12 For the west side there were hangings 75 feet long, with their ten posts and their ten bases, with the hooks of the posts and their bands of silver. 13 For the east side, toward the sunrise, it was 75 feet wide, 14 with hangings on one side of the gate that were 22½ feet long, with their three posts and their three bases, 15 and for the second side of the gate of the courtyard, just like the other, the hangings were 22½ feet long, with their three posts and their three bases. 16 All the hangings around the courtyard were of fine twisted linen. 17 The bases for the posts were bronze. The hooks of the posts and their bands were silver, their tops were overlaid with silver, and all the posts of the courtyard had silver bands. 18 The curtain for the gate of the courtyard was of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen, the work of an embroiderer. It was 30 feet long and, like the hangings in the courtyard, it was 7½ feet high, 19 with four posts and their four bronze bases. Their hooks and their bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver. 20 All the tent pegs of the tabernacle and of the courtyard all around were bronze.
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