In the Sinai wilderness, the big box retail building supply stores were few and far between. It’s highly improbable that CAD software for architectural and engineering drawings could operate on the primitive Sinai computers. And, more than likely, 3D printers were unavailable to produce mock-ups of the design.

So, how did this tabernacle project even get off the ground – let alone, be completed exactly according to plans with no deficiencies? Yes – no deficiencies! Months later, Moses carefully inspected the completed project and said it conformed exactly to the pattern the Lord had given. (Exodus 39:43) Congratulations!

It seems the instructions for the materials to be used, as well as the design and precise measurements, were first given to Moses from the Lord. Moses then passed the information along to the Project Management Team, led by Bezalel and Oholiab. According to Exodus 35:30-35, these men were specially equipped by the Lord “with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge and with all craftsmanship…”

Perhaps our eyes glaze over when we first read the spec-sheet-verses outlining the materials to be used, and the precise measurements, along with the installation instructions.  You don’t have to acknowledge publicly that you’ve secretly questioned why these details take up such a relatively large chunk of your Bible, but haven’t you wondered if the nitty-gritty specifics could have been condensed to a paragraph or two – rather than chapter after chapter of details?

So really – what is the relevance of all these ancient specifications to future generations, including ourselves? Stick with these lessons. We are about to see Christ in these details.

Let’s look at the Lord’s instructions to Moses about assembling the materials:

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. This is the contribution which you are to raise from them: gold, silver and bronze, blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goat hair, rams’ skins dyed red, porpoise skins, acacia wood, oil for lighting, ….Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.  Exodus 25:1-9 NASB

Just to make this key point early on in the study, here’s a skeleton example of the rich symbolic meaning of the materials and colours selected.

Keep this index key in your mind as we proceed.  You can read fuller explanations as to why Bible students see such symbolism – not only in the tabernacle but in other references throughout the Bible. But the thumbnail sketch will alert you to watch for these things as you read.  And this list is by no means complete!

It’s encouraging to note that the people of Israel enthusiastically responded to the request for materials. Their hearts were definitely on fire. In fact, by the time you get to Exodus 36 – the Project Management Team, in conjunction with the skilled workers, sent a communiqué to Moses. The free-will offerings were pouring in non-stop. Every morning they were arriving at the office with more contributions. Every offering had to be accurately itemized and weighed, and recorded in the ledgers.

Moses responded to this excess inventory situation by issuing an announcement to all the campers:

“Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings. Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project. The skilled craftsmen made ten curtains of finely woven linen for the Tabernacle. Then Bezalel decorated the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.  Exodus 36:6-8 NLT

To give you an idea of the magnitude of the quantities donated, an NIV footnote for Exodus chapter 38 provides this information: verse 24 -The weight of gold was about one metric ton; verse 25 – the weight of silver totalled 3.4 metric tons; verse 29 – the weight of bronze was 2.4 metric tons.

What motivated them to give? What set their hearts on fire to give extravagantly? Don’t you think it was the Lord’s words to Moses:

Let them construct a sanctuary for Me;
that I may dwell among them.
Exodus 25:8

The people of Israel were excited about the privilege and honour of having the Lord God dwelling right in their presence – on site, in the middle of their tent city. Imagine how secure they would feel about their immediate circumstances and how optimistic they could be about the future – with HIM right there. What a privilege to be so near to Him and to be able to worship Him!

Think of the impact on the frightened disciples in the Upper Room on the night of their Master’s arrest. Jesus said to them: “Anyone who loves Me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them….” John 14:23 NIV “We will make our abode with them.”

Paul said that “Christ lived in him.” What motivated and pushed Paul forward, despite the incredible obstacles he faced in his Christian life? His heart was filled with leaping flames of gratitude and devotion to Christ. He said: “The love of Christ constrains – controls us.” 2 Corinthians 5:14

Coming up: #4 Tenters’ View of White Linen Wall