BEGINNING OF THE TABERNACLE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

DISCUSS the significance and purpose of the tabernacle; SENSE God's presence in our lives; and THANK God for His abiding presence.

 

FOCAL VERSES Exodus 40:16-30, 34, 38

KEEP IN MIND

"For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys" (Exodus 40:38).

 

 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. The Tabernacle Assembled (Exodus 40:16-30)

2. God's Presence Fills the Tabernacle (vv. 34,38)

 

IN FOCUS STORY

Patricia's father died while she was in high school. Just after she finished college, her mother suffered a stroke. For the next 15 years, Patricia was her mother's caregiver. She didn't mind; she loved that it had bought them so close together. After her mom passed away, Patricia missed her deeply. She knew her mother was saved and that God was with her even in her sorrow. Still, she missed her mom.

One day, a package was delivered to her home from her Aunt Betty. Betty still lived in the family home in Seattle. She had been cleaning her closet and found a box of items that belonged to Patricia's mother. Aunt Betty thought Patricia should have her mother's journal and Bible. Patricia spent a week reading the journal. She knew that her mother was saved as a teen, but through the journal, she learned how her mother grew in the Lord though the years. The Bible was a very special blessing to Patricia. She started reading her mom's Bible during her daily devotions, and studying her mother's margin notes. The more she read it, the more she grew to understand the promises her mother had held so dear and the Scriptures that had taken her through. Using the Bible helped Patricia feel close the Lord and she praised God for blessing her with such wonderful memories.

In today's lesson, God commands the people to build the tabernacle so they could feel His presence and guidance.

 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

EGYPT. Joseph had been a high official in Egypt under Pharaoh. Joseph's family, the seventy descendants of Jacob, had been permitted to move to Egypt to escape a terrible famine in Canaan (Genesis 45:9-10). After Joseph's death, a new Pharaoh came to power who enslaved the growing population of Israelites. God raised up Moses to lead the people out of slavery (Exodus 3-4), but Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go. God sent ten plagues, which destroyed the Egyptians' crops, herds, and families. God instituted the first Passover the night of Israel's release. After Pharaoh released them, he changed his mind and decided to pursue them. God miraculously enabled the Israelites to cross the Red Sea to safety (14:15-31), but Pharaoh's army drowned. The Israelites were free and on their way to the Promised Land.

 

ARK of the COVENANT. The Ark of the Covenant was a box measuring 3 3/4 feet long, 2 1/4 wide, and 2 1/4 feet high. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold. Acacia trees flourished in the area and were fairly common in Old Testament times. The wood was very hard and good material for building furniture.

The Ark of the Covenant represented God's covenant with Israel's people. It was located in the most holy place of the tabernacle, behind a curtain to hide it from view. Only the high priest could enter the most holy place and then only once a year, on the day of atonement. The Ark contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and later other items as instructed by God. God commanded Moses to keep an omer (two quarts) of manna as a reminder of the way He provided for the Israelites in the wilderness (16:31-34). The cover of the Ark of the Covenant was called the "mercy seat" or atonement cover. The mercy seat had a gold lid.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The purpose of the book of Exodus is to record the event of Israel's deliverance from Egypt and development as a nation. The book begins with a short account of how the Israelites became slaves in Egypt (Exodus 1) then goes on to expound on Moses's birth, life, and call by God. Moses was used by God to lead the people out of slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land (5:1-18:27). God guided the Israelites while they were in the wilderness by a cloud in the day and a pillar of fire by night. This was a visible sign that God was present and guiding them along the way.

The Israelites promised to obey God's commands as given to Moses (20:1-17, 24:3). Moses spent time in the presence of God for forty days and forty nights. God gave Moses specific directions concerning the building of the tabernacle (chs. 25-31), and the people carried them out exactly (chs. 35-39).

 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. Outline the steps in setting up the tabernacle (Exodus 40:17-19).

2. What items were placed inside the tabernacle (vv. 20-27, 29-30)?

3. What was placed inside the Ark of the Covenant (v. 20)?

4. Beside the tabernacle itself, what symbolized God's presence with the Israelites (vv. 34, 38)?

 

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Search out the meaning of each item in the tabernacle.

2. The items in the tabernacle are listed from the deepest inner section to the outer section. Why do you think it is described that way?

3. What phrase is given after each of the steps Moses takes in setting the items inside the tabernacle? What does the phrase say to us about our worship of God?

4. In the In Focus story, Patricia found solace in reading her mother's Bible. When and where do you most often seek to be near God and to feel His presence?

 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Life can be a rat race. Every day seems to be busier than the one before. We are constantly bombarded with music and noise blasting from passing cars of invading our space, even elevators. God instructed Moses to create a place that was peaceful and filled with His presence. How do you seek to make your home or personal space welcoming to the presence of God? How might your creation of a sanctuary of peace bring calm to those around you who also seek to have peace with the God you worship?

 

 

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1.Sometimes we face difficult transitions and decisions. At those times, we may seek the guidance of family, friends, or church leaders. But often, those voices don't calm us and may even present conflicting options. We want to know that we are making the right decision. How do we determine if we are hearing God's voice and if He is with us? This week, spend time in prayer and reading your Bible as you learn to listen more closely to the voice of the Lord.

2. Every day, we need to seek God's presence. We do not have to god to a tabernacle or church every time we want to enter into God's presence. His presence is with us through the Holy Ghost, who is our source for security and guidance. What is your daily spiritual routine for seeking God at the start of your day? What time do you set aside for devotion so that you can rest in the peace of His  presence?

 

(EXCEPT FROM THE APOSTOLIC LIGHT P.A.W.)