Exodus 36
The construction of the Tabernacle for the Lord was starting. Moses gave Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen the materials donated by the Israelites as sacred offerings. However, the Israelites continued to bring additional offerings every morning. The craftsmen had an excess of the lavish materials needed and reported this to Moses to have the Israelites stop giving offerings.
With all the materials needed to build plus more, the Israelites were pleasing to the Lord. They were determined to use their gifts and talents to build the holy sanctuary so that Yahweh, the Lord, could live amongst them. In Romans, Paul writes how God knows His people, and our hearts. Paul says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (Romans 8:28). With the goal of living with the Lord in mind, they demonstrated qualities of God’s chosen people further mentioned in the New Testament: "And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory” (Romans 8:30).
To summarize this chapter, it emphasizes obedience and generosity. Israel, previously disobedient (e.g., the golden calf incident in Exodus 32), now responds with fervor for the Lord. The overabundance of gifts symbolizes a heart transformed—from idolatry to worship. The chapter’s focus on the skilled craftsmen and craftsmanship reflects that God values beauty, skill, and order in worship.
Exodus 37
In this chapter, Bezalel constructs the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of the Bread of the Presence, the Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense using the materials offered by the Israelites.
Again, the chapter’s focus on the materials and craftsmanship reflects that God values beauty, skill, and order in worship. This chapter mirrors earlier instructions in Exodus 25–30 almost verbatim. The Ark symbolizes God's throne and His covenant with Israel. The Lampstand (Menorah), shaped like a tree, suggests light and life, echoing Eden imagery. Repetition underscores that obedience matters—Israel is following God’s plan precisely, reversing their prior rebellion.
Exodus 38
This chapter describes the building of the Altar of Burnt Offering, the Basin, the Courtyard, and a summary of the materials used in the Tabernacle.
The courtyard marks the boundary between the holy and the profane. The detailed account of resources (gold, silver, bronze) adds transparency and underscores the value of worship. Also, this was a community effort—everyone contributed to the dwelling place of God.
Exodus 39
The creation of sacred garments for Aaron and his sons: ephod, chestpiece, robe, tunics, turban, sash and medallion. The sacred garments represent dignity, holiness, and service.
Moses inspects the work, finds it complete and exact, and blesses the craftworkers. The inspection shows that Moses functions as a mediator and overseer, mirroring God’s role in creation, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31). The Israelites’ obedience allows for blessings and the divine presence.
Exodus 40
The Tabernacle is set up on the first day of the first month. Everything is anointed and consecrated. God’s glory fills the Tabernacle, and a cloud guides Israel.
This chapter marks the climax of Exodus: God dwelling among His people. The cloud and fire return as signs of divine presence. The completed Tabernacle parallels creation themes—a new world where God and humanity can meet.
The Israelites, with strong faith in the Lord, were successful at building the Tabernacle, as commanded. The story of Israel in Exodus teaches us how one must listen to God’s voice through His chosen people. The exodus from Egypt shows how being chosen by God puts you in position to accomplish fantastic things in life. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).
Titus 1
The Book of Titus is a letter written by Paul to Titus, one of his trusted assistants. Trust is a major theme in this chapter. Paul opens the letter by unfolding the trust that he has for God, “…which God – who does not lie…” (Titus 1:2). From the start, he says that he is a slave of God and apostle Jesus Christ sent by them to teach God’s chosen ones the truth of how to live a godly life. Moreover, Paul shows his trust in God’s timing by writing the letter now due to his own calling from the Lord, “And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him” (Titus 1:3, NLT).
Paul is developing the church here by telling Titus the characteristics elders that he appoints in Crete should have. Again, trust is involved as he expresses a strong desire to have elders that trust in the Lord: “He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong” Titus 1:9, NLT). The trust here concerning the elders is being echoed by Paul as an attribute of God. For Paul, God is truthful, and our measurement of what is fact. It is by Him that we can discern true and false. In Romans, Paul tells of how sinners don’t believe the truth. “They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen” (Romans 1:25). So, he wants the elders to be pure, “Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.”
Erica Hawkins
