Exodus 25 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Exodus 25 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• God delivered the Israelites from slavery in approximately 1491 B.C.

• The events of Exodus 25 took place 3-4 months after the Hebrews left Egypt (19:1).

CHARACTERS:

• God – The Lord’s glory descended on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 25, God spoke with Moses on the mountain and gave him instructions to build a sanctuary where He would dwell among the people.     

• Moses – A Hebrew who grew up in the house of Pharaoh. He fled Egypt in Exodus 2 and went to live in Midian. God called him back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from slavery.

WHERE:

• Moses and the Israelites were encamped near Mount Sinai.

OUTLINE:

• A CONTRIBUTION FOR THE TABERNACLE (25:1-9):

  • God told Moses to take up a voluntary contribution from the people.

  • He was to collect gold, silver, bronze, yarn, linen, goat hair, tanned goatskins, acacia wood, oil, spices for incense, and precious stones.

  • These items were to be used to create a tabernacle (tent) where God’s presence would dwell among the people.

  • God would show Moses the pattern by which He wanted this sanctuary to be built.

• INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (25:10-22):

  • Next, Moses was to create an “ark of acacia wood.”

  • It was to be 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubit wide, and 1.5 cubits tall (a cubit was roughly 18 inches/.46 meters).

  • The entire ark was to be covered with gold.

  • The ark was to be carried on poles which were strung through rings cast on each of its 4 feet.

  • Moses was to build a “mercy seat” on top of the ark flanked by 2 cherubs (heavenly beings), 1 on each side.

  • The wings of the cherubs were to stretch out over the mercy seat.

  • God would speak with Moses from the mercy seat.

• THE GOLDEN TABLE FOR THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE (25:23-30):

  • Moses was also told to build a golden table.

  • It was to be 2 cubits long, 1 cubit wide, and 1.5 cubits tall.

  • Four rings of gold were to be fastened to the legs of the table so it could be carried with poles.

  • The table would be used to hold the “bread of the Presence.”

• THE GOLDEN LAMBSTAND (25:31-40):

  • The last thing God told Moses to build in Exodus 25 was a lampstand of pure gold.

  • It was to have 6 branches (3 on each side) protruding from the center column, and it was to be decorated with golden flowers.

  • The lampstand and its branches held 7 lamps which were designed to light the tabernacle.

APPLICATION:

• Rather than forcing the Israelites to contribute the materials for the tabernacle, God asked them to give voluntarily.

• Did God need their contributions to accomplish His will? Certainly not, God doesn’t need anything, but he gave them an opportunity to be a part of His work.

• This pattern is repeated in the New Testament scriptures.

• The Apostles collected voluntary donations from those who wanted to help the Church spread and care for the needy.

• God doesn’t need our money to advance the gospel and help the needy, but He gives us the privilege of participating.

• Isn’t it incredible that God invites us to help? Like a father that allows his child to help, even though he could have done the job on his own.