The Lord delivered His people out of the bitter bondage in Egypt. The numbers that came

out of Egypt was probably about three million souls. “the LORD brought us forth out of

Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm” Duet 26:8

The atonement money had to be paid before any man could serve the Lord.

There were no fewer than 603,550 male Israelites over the age of 20 paid the atonement

money of 1/2 a shekel equal to 8p. It was taken when the children of Israel numbered but

this did not include the tribe of Levi. “ This they shall give, every one that passeth

among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel

is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.” Exo. 30:13,14 “the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered” Num. 1:47

It is important to remember unless we are redeemed we cannot serve God. “ ye were not

redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,........But with the precious blood of

Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: “ 1 Peter 1:18

The temporary character of the Tabernacle was no place for inferior workmanship.
The Tabernacle was 54 ft long and 16 ft wide, the court was 180 ft long and 90 ft wide
with 4 tons of silver, 5000 ft of Linen.
[1] HOW THE MATERIALS WERE OBTAINED.
A/ By the wide response of the people. Exodus 35:20 - 29
There was no Bracelet, Jewels, Earrings or skins were retained by the people. The “wise-hearted” people spun linen and Goats hair.
B/ By the willing ready spirit of the people Exodus 36:6,

They gave so willingly that Moses had to stop them. “For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work

to make it, and too much. “ Exo 36:7

He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also

bountifully. for God loveth a cheerful giver”. 2 Cor. 9:6,7.

[2] HOW THE MEN WERE CALLED
The first man chosen was :-
A/ Bezaleel. His name means “Shadow of God” Exo. 31:1,2.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psa 91:1

He was of the tribe of Judah the same tribe as the earthly ancestors of our Lord came. “See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:” Exo 31:2

Bezaleel was a man of natural ability but we read God said, “ I have filled him with the spirit of God, in

wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” Exo 31:3

[the first record of a man being filled with the Spirit of God]

[1] He was appointed by the call of God.
[2] He was filled with the Spirit of God.

[3] He was wise in the work of God.

God knows each one of us and our natural abilities , but fills us with His Spirit before He give us the work to which we are best suited.

B/ Aholiab Exo 31:16 He was of the tribe of Dan.

The Lord finds workmen for His work wherever He pleases.
Peter. At his fishing in Galilee
Paul. At the feet of Gamaliel

Those God calls He qualifies. Eco.31:3

We are fitted for His service in proportion as to the amount that the Spirit has His way with us.

C/ Everyone All those whose heart was stirred to work for God. Exo 35:21 - 29

[3] DIFFERENT NAMES GIVEN TO THE TABERNACLE

A/ Tabernacle of the Congregation Exo. 27:21
This would indicate its use for the children of Israel

B/ Tabernacle of the Lord. Lev. 17:4
This indicates that God intended to dwell there.

C/ Tabernacle of the Testimony Num. 1:50
This was because within it was housed the two tables of stone.

D/ Tabernacle of Witness Num. 17:7 --18:2
The name received in connection with the rebellion of Korah and his company.
Aarons’s rod stored there as a witness.

[4] THE PURPOSE OF THE TABERNACLE.
Exo. 25:8 Note John 14:23
The tabernacle was God’s dwelling place with His people -- The name Tabernacle means “Tent” or “Dwelling Place” John 1:14
The Tabernacle was God’s first dwelling place on earth.
God had walked in the garden with Adam. Walked with Enoch and visited Abraham but in the Tabernacle God comes to dwell. [ This is a type of Jesus. The one and only meeting place between God and man.
God dwells with His people. Those who have been ransomed, liberated, separated and are pilgrims in a foreign land.
[5] THE PATTERN GIVEN
Exo. 25:30 “... according to the pattern” These words occur four times.
The whole thing was a divine revelation. There was no room for human wisdom. “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;” 1 Cor. 1:27.

Just like the plan of salvation is is all of God. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of

yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Eph. 2:8

Rationalism could not add anything to what was revealed on the mount. We must never forget that the church is just as much God’s plan as was the Tabernacle. God has given a divine pattern and minute detail to show how His house the church should be ordered. We find detail in 1 Cor and in 1 Timothy.
These details remain unchanged throughout all the history of the church and must be completely obeyed until our Lord returns.
All the materials used in the construction of the tabernacle including the shapes, sizes and different parts along with the details of the various articles of furniture and the number, measurements and even the colours that were woven into them were all specified by God.

This Divinely Desired and Divinely Designed tabernacle was a treasure house not only because of the great amounts of gold and silver but because of what it pictures. There are invaluable illustrations found in every part of it.
Moses had to go alone and be alone in the presence of God to receive the instructions from God and He alone.
God gave Moses strict instructions and was admonished with the words, “make all things according to the pattern shewed thee in the mount.” Heb. 8:5.
[6] WHAT GOD DEMANDED OF THE WORKERS.
A/ Concentration This is inferred by what we read in Exodus 39:42 as the work comes to completion. “According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses so the children of Israel made all the work”. It called for the individual concentration of each workman to fulfil the united task for the completion of the whole building.. Paul reminds us of what their attitude was and what ours should be, “this one thing I do”. This should always be the spirit of those who work for the Lord.

“.. next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. And next unto

them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of

Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok,” [ Neh. 3:2, 4.] and so on and so on.

The work of the Tabernacle also demanded :-
B/ Separation There was no time to be meddling in the affairs of the people around them, that is the nations that knew not their God. They were “set apart” for God. “I will dwell among them and will be their God.”
While Moses was up the mount in God’s presence and the pattern was being revealed the people sinned Exo 32

And worshipped the golden calf. 2 Cor. 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what

fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? V.17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;”

The work also demanded :-

C/ Education The workers needed teaching how the work had to be done and with this in mind God gave Bezaleel

the wisdom and ability to “teach” Exo. 35:34. “he hath put in his heart that he may teach”.

The work called for great skill in cutting stones, wood carving, working in gold, silver, brass, spinning,

embroidery, weaving, compounding of ointment, blending of spices on the part of the workers. They needed to

study so time and effort was required for a thorough knowledge of the skills for the work.

This reminds us of the challenge from Paul and the Holy Spirit “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a

workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15. The Holy Spirit “shall

teach you all things,” John 14:26 “ be filled with the Spirit;” Eph 5:18 Bezaleel was filled, are we?

Are you and I concentrating, separated, educated, workers for God {I hope and pray so} Or are we being side-

tracked by satan and this world? {I pray we are not}