Exodus 38:1-31
Q.1. How was the altar to be constructed? What did the women do? How did the outer court adornment compare with that of the Tabernacle? (Exo.38:1-20)
God had told Moses the exact details for the construction of the Bronze Altar (Exo.27:1-7) and the outer court of the tabernacle (Exo.27:9-19). These were now crafted under the supervision of Bezalel, complete with the poles and rings to carry the Altar (Exo.38:1-7). The wives of the Levites helped to serve, and Bezalel – made the laver of the bronze with its base of bronze from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting (Exo.38:8). The curtains were for the outer court where the people congregated. It was tastefully decorated with linen hung on bronze pillars with silver hooks, and with blue, purple, and scarlet material. It was inferior to the gold inside the tabernacle where only the priests were allowed to enter. This instruction was written down several times, so the people understood clearly that there was a difference between where God dwelt, and where they were able to dwell (Exo.chpts.25-27; 37-38).
Q.2. Did they keep a record of all the materials used? Who made the Tabernacle and its furnishings? How much gold was used? Why was it called a wave offering? – (Exo.38:21-24)
Moses commanded that a record be kept of all the materials used. The recording of these records was supervised by Ithamar the son of Aaron (Exo.38:21). Bezalel from the tribe of Judah ensured that everything was completed according to – all that the Lord had commanded Moses (Exo.38:22). He was ably assisted by Oholiab from the tribe of Dan who was – an engraver and a skilful workman and weaver in blue and in purple and in scarlet material and fine linen (Exo.38:23). An account was required of – all the gold that was used for the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the wave offering that was 29 talents and 730 shekels i.e. 3,140 pounds of gold … (Exo.38:24). The wave offering was symbolically waved as an offering before the Lord, similar to when we consecrate our offerings in church by prayer.
Q.3. From where did the silver come? For what was it used? For what was the bronze used? From where did it come? – (Exo.38:25-31)
The silver was raised after a census that recorded that there were six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men of twenty years and upward. These men were required to pay a tax. This amounted to one hundred talents, and one thousand, seven hundred and seventy-five shekels i.e. nine thousand, five hundred and seventy five pounds of silver. It was used to make the pillars and sockets and doorway of the outer court (Exo.38:25-28). The bronze was also contributed by the people as a wave offering before the Lord. This amounted to seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels i.e. seven thousand five hundred and forty pounds of bronze. It was used for the altar, utensils, gates and doorway sockets, and the enclosure and its pegs (Exo.38:29-31).