Description

God's Covenant Renewed

These three chapters of Exodus detail significant events following the Israelites' sin of worshipping the golden calf. They encompass God's renewed covenant with Moses, instructions for building the tabernacle, and the subsequent gathering of materials and construction by skilled artisans. The overarching theme is the restoration of the relationship between God and Israel through repentance, obedience, and the creation of a sacred space for God's presence.

II. Exodus 34: The Renewed Covenant

• Re-issuing the Ten Commandments: After the first set of tablets was broken due to the Israelites' idolatry, God commands Moses to chisel out two new stone tablets, and promises to rewrite the words of the covenant. This emphasizes God's continued commitment to His covenant despite the people's sin.
• Quote: "The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.”" (Exodus 34:1)
• God's Self-Revelation: God descends in a cloud and reveals his nature to Moses as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, and forgiving. This emphasizes both His mercy and justice.
• Quote: "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." (Exodus 34:6-7)
• God's Jealousy and Warning Against Idolatry: God emphasizes His exclusive claim to Israel's worship, warning them against making treaties or intermarrying with the people of the land, as this would lead them to idolatry. He describes himself as "Jealous".
• Quote: "Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." (Exodus 34:14)
• Instructions Regarding Offerings and Festivals: God provides instructions for observing festivals, offering sacrifices, and remembering His covenant, including the Passover, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Ingathering. He also commands that the firstborn of both humans and livestock belong to Him.
• Moses' Radiant Face: After being in God's presence, Moses' face is radiant, symbolizing the divine encounter and the authority of the covenant. He then veils his face to not overwhelm the people.
• Quote: "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." (Exodus 34:29)

III. Exodus 35: Preparations for the Tabernacle

• Sabbath Observance: Moses reiterates the strict observance of the Sabbath as a holy day of rest, punishable by death for any work done on it. This reinforces the importance of God's commands.
• Quote: "For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death." (Exodus 35:2)
• Call for Voluntary Offerings: Moses calls for the Israelites to contribute materials for building the tabernacle, emphasizing a willingness and a heart moved to give. The specific materials requested included gold, silver, bronze, precious fabrics, animal skins, wood, oil, and spices.
• Quote: "From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering..." (Exodus 35:5)
• Appointment of Skilled Artisans: God chooses Bezalel and Oholiab, filling them with divine wisdom and skill, to oversee the construction of the tabernacle, with the ability to teach others, showing a collaborative effort.
• Quote: "See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills..." (Exodus 35:30-31)
• People's Generous Response: The Israelites respond enthusiastically and generously to the call for offerings, both men and women contributing various materials for the project. The text notes women spinning yarn, men crafting wood and metal, and leaders contributing gems. *Quote: "Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord..." (Exodus 35:20-21)

IV. Exodus 36: Construction of the Tabernacle Begins

• Skilled Workers Respond to the Call: Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled workers begin construction, as God has commanded.
• Quote: "So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded." (Exodus 36:1)
• Abundance of Offerings: The people continue to bring freewill offerings morning after morning, eventually bringing so much that the workers inform Moses that there is more than enough. This emphasizes the people's devotion and the abundance of God's provision.
• Quote: “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.” (Exodus 36:5)
• Restraint on Offerings: Moses orders a halt to further offerings because the people have given more than is needed, a situation that emphasizes the overwhelming generosity of the people.
• Quote: "Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more..." (Exodus 36:6)
• Construction Details: The chapter details the specific construction of the tabernacle's curtains, tent coverings, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases, all made according to God's specifications. The materials are intricately detailed, including the dimensions of every piece. The text emphasizes the precision and skill involved in the project.
• Quote: "All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands." (Exodus 36:8)

V. Key Themes and Ideas

• God's Mercy and Justice: While God is compassionate and forgiving, he also holds people accountable for their actions.
• The Importance of Obedience: God expects obedience to His commands, emphasizing the observance of the Sabbath, avoidance of idolatry, and proper worship.
• The Significance of the Tabernacle: The tabernacle is not merely a building but a sacred space where God's presence dwells among His people.
• Community Involvement: The entire community plays a role in the creation of the tabernacle through voluntary giving and skilled craftsmanship.
• Divine Empowerment: God provides the necessary wisdom, skill, and resources for fulfilling His purposes.
• Restoration of Covenant: These chapters represent a restoration of the broken covenant between God and Israel through repentance and obedience.