📅 February 23: Exodus 36 - The Sanctuary Comes to Life

Daily Bible Readings February
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:date: February 23: Exodus 36 - The Sanctuary Comes to Life

:earth_africa: Introduction

Exodus 36 records the zestful effort by the Hebrews to construct the sanctuary. It is a chapter brimming with the themes of generosity, obedience, and cooperation.

:moneybag: Overflowing Generosity

In the first seven verses, we see an inspiring testament to the Israelites’ generosity and faith. Their willingness to give overflowed so much that Moses had to command them to stop contributing!

:scroll: "And they spoke to Moses, saying, 'The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.’ Ex 36:5 (NKJV)

:pray: Cooperation and Obedience

What stood out in the rest of the chapter is the obedience and cooperation in carrying out God’s instructions in detail. Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled craftsmen followed the divine blueprint for constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings.

:sparkles:### Key Themes and Reflections

  1. Generosity: The Israelites gave freely of their resources for the construction of God’s sanctuary. How can we give generously today?

  2. Obedience and Cooperation: Moses’ men listened dutifully and executed God’s plans with precision. How can we apply this to our families, communities, and workplaces?

:bulb: Today’s Application

Exodus 36 guides us to showcase our love for God through generous giving—not just in our resources but time, skills, and heart. It urges cooperation to construct a ‘sanctuary’ where God’s glory dwells—a metaphor for our lives, families, projects, or communities.

:mag: Hidden Gem

In verse 8, the construction begins with the ‘tent of the tabernacle’; it’s where God’s presence would dwell among them, a physical manifestation of God’s relationship with His people.

:thought_balloon: Reflective Q&A

:question: What can we learn from the enthusiastic giving by the Israelites?

A: The Israelites showed their love for God by generously giving back what they received from Him. Generosity isn’t only about what we have but about our attitude as well.

:question: What do the detailed descriptions of the sanctuary teach us?

A: God is in the detail! Each part of the sanctuary served a purpose, teaching us the importance of following God’s detailed guidance in our lives to carry out His purpose.

:question: What does the sanctuary symbolize in our lives today?

A: The sanctuary could symbolize our hearts, families, or communities—places where God’s presence should dwell. We should work together to make them suitable for God’s presence.

:speech_balloon: Join the Discussion

What ‘sanctuary’ are you constructing for God to dwell in your life? How can you collaborate and encourage others to do the same?

:date: See You Tomorrow in Exodus 37:

As the Israelites continue meticulously crafting the artifacts within the sanctuary, we’ll dive to uncover God’s symbolism behind these creations. Let’s continue this journey together to find gems in The Word.

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Exodus 36
A cursory reading of this chapter of 38 verses, cannot show the beauty, the care, the love of the workmanship of those who were wise hearted. This chapter is a reiteration of ch. 26 onward, and now Moses sets out: [1] The Work of the Tabernacle commenced: vv. 1-4. [2] The people restrained from giving: vv. 5-7. [3] The Curtains for the Tabernacle: vv. 8-19. [4] Boards for the sides: vv. 20-36. [5] The Hangings for the door: vv. 37-38. He instructs the people concerning the curtains, the coverings, the veil and the hanging for the door. The intricacies of the workmanship and the colours are but a shadow of the glory revealed in the Lord Yahshua Christ, who is undoubtedly portrayed in every aspect of the tabernacle (see ‘Expositor: Exodus,’ for a plan of the book). The gifts for the work had been carried through the wilderness, brought from the Egyptians, and so much was donated for the work of the tabernacle that they were told to stop bringing (vv. 5-6; see ch. 25:1-2, and also Paul’s words in 2Cor. 9:7 for “Yahweh loveth a cheerful giver”). There was no need to urge the gifts by the arranging of fetes, or sales of goods to entice the giver to obtain some benefit themselves from the giving! Instead it was a generous gift; a willing offering; a sacrifice of personal wealth, as a gift to Yahweh. The colours themselves have a significance. Fine twined linen represents righteousness worked out (Rev. 19:8) teaching that we must ‘work out’ our own salvation (in Christ’s righteousness) while at the same time keeping in mind that while we work out our own salvation, we must still ‘take hold’ of the tabernacle (Christ and each member as the curtains did the boards) which tabernacle also speaks of probation. We must never consider ourselves an island but must consider one another. Blue speaks of Yahweh’s Word as an expression of righteousness (Num. 15:39), and healing through that Word (Pro. 20:30), with both brought together in the Lord Yahshua Christ (Mat. 9:20-22). Purple, is the colour of kingship through trial (Est. 8:15 etc.). Scarlet speaks of sin (Isa. 1:18), and is known to be one of the ‘firmest of dyes and not easily washed out!’ (see also the words in relation to the Lord in Psa. 22:6, which speaks of the ‘worm’ dye). The Cherubim were embroidered into the curtains protecting the entry to His Presence in the Most Holy Place, as the living Cherubim did at the east gate of the Garden of Eden, showing there was only one way into the Kingdom in order to be permitted to eat and live for ever, by means of the perfect sacrifice of obedience, even the Lord Yahshua. — Logos.