Exodus 26 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Exodus 26 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

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

• The events of Exodus 26 took place 3-4 months after the Hebrews left Egypt (19:1).

CHARACTERS:

• God – The Lord’s glory descended on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 26, 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:

• THE CURTAINS AND COVERINGS OF THE TABERNACLE (26:1-14):

  • The tabernacle was to be made of 10 curtains of blue and purple linen with imagery of cherubim sewn into them.

  • Each curtain was to be 10 cubits long and 4 cubits tall (a cubit was approximately 18 inches/.46 meters).

  • The curtains were fastened together, 5 in one group and 5 in another group.

  • Moses was told to make 50 loops on the end of each group of curtains. The loops allowed the curtains to be fastened together using gold clasps.

  • God also told Moses to create 11 curtains of goats’ hair to act as a tent over the structure.

  • Each goat hair curtain was to be 30 cubits long and 4 cubits wide.

  • The goat hair curtains were fastened together with bronze clasps.

  • Additionally, the Israelites were told to make a covering of tanned rams’ skins and goatskins for the tabernacle.

• THE FRAMES OF THE TABERNACLE (26:15-29):

  • In addition to the curtains and coverings, Moses was to build frames to support the tent structure.

  • Each frame was to be 10 cubits long and 1.5 cubits wide.

  • There were to be 20 frames for the south side, 20 frames for the north side, and 8 frames for the west side (the back side).

  • Each frame was to be set on 2 silver bases.

  • Each side of the tabernacle had 5 bars made of acacia wood that hung horizontally end-to-end.

  • The frames and the bars were all to be overlayed with gold.

• THE ENTRANCE AND INTERIOR OF THE TABERNACLE (26:30-37):

  • A veil of purple, blue, and scarlet was to be hung in the middle of the tabernacle creating two rooms, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.

  • The Ark of the Testament (Covenant) and the mercy seat were to be placed in the most interior room, the Most Holy Place.

  • The golden table and golden lampstand were to be placed in the room closest to the front of the tent, the Holy Place.

  • The entrance to the tent was to be covered by a screen of blue, purple, and scarlet and was to be hung on 5 pillars of acacia wood covered in gold.

APPLICATION:

• Does God care about the small details?

• This chapter, and the chapters that follow, reveal that details matter to God. He wanted everything build according to the pattern He gave to Moses (26:30).

• The application for us is that we need to read God’s words (God’s instructions) carefully, and make sure we are respecting the details.

• God didn’t write down specific commands for every scenario and circumstance in the Christian life, but where He has specified, we need to pay close attention.