Exodus 37 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Exodus 37 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

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

• Chapter 40 verse 2 tells us the Tabernacle was finished and erected for the first time 1 year after the Israelites left Egypt.

CHARACTERS:

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words to the people.

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt.

• Bezalel and Oholiab – Two men specially gifted with the Spirit of God to help in the construction of the Tabernacles and the holy items within it.

WHERE:

• When Moses relayed God’s instructions regarding the Tabernacle to the Israelites, the people were camped at Mount Sinai.

OUTLINE:

• MAKING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (37:1-9):

  • Bezalel made the Ark of the Covenant from acacia wood and covered it with gold.

  • The ark was 2.5 cubits long by 1.5 cubits wide.

  • A ring was fixed to each of its 4 feet so the ark could be carried with two poles.

  • The poles were made of acacia wood and covered with gold.

  • Next, Bezalel made a mercy seat of pure gold which was to sit on top of the ark.

  • On top of the mercy seat, he built two cherubim figures whose winds spread across the ark and touched in the middle.

• MAKING THE TABLE FOR THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE (37:10-16):

  • Bezalel made a gold table for the Holy Place in the Tabernacle.

  • The table was made of acacia wood and overlayed with gold.

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

  • A ring was attached to the corner of each leg so the table could be carried with poles similar to those used for the Ark of the Covenant.

  • The plates and vessels for the table were made of pure gold.

• MAKING THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND (37:17-24):

  • Bezalel made the lampstand for the tabernacle from one solid piece of gold.

  • It had a center column and three branches on each side.

  • Each branch was decorated with gold cups shaped like almond blossoms.

  • The center column was adorned with 4 cups shaped like almond blossoms.

  • All the utensils for the lampstand were made from pure gold.

• MAKING THE ALTAR OF INCENSE (37:25-29):

  • Bezalel made the altar of incense that was to sit in front of the veil in the tabernacle.

  • The altar was acacia wood overlayed with gold.

  • It was 1 cubit long, 1 cubit wide, and 2 cubits tall with horns of gold.

  • It had 4 rings, 2 on each side, so it could be carried with 2 poles.

  • Finally, Bezalel made the anointing oil and special incense for burning in the Tabernacle.

DIAGRAM OF THE TABERNACLE: