Exodus 37
Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. 3 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.
10 They made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. 11 Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. 12 They also made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 13 They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. 16 And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.
17 They made the lampstand of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. 18 Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 21 One bud was under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. 22 The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
23 They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. 24 They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent of pure gold.
25 They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it. 26 They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 27 They made two gold rings below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 28 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.
Exodus 37 Meaning
In Exodus 37, we find a detailed account of the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, the Table, and the Lampstand for the tabernacle. These verses highlight the importance of worship and obedience to God’s commands. They show us how God desires to dwell among His people and the significance of the items used in His presence.
Exodus 37 Commentary and Explanation
Exodus 37 presents a detailed account of the construction of key elements within the tabernacle, which were crucial to the Israelites’ worship and relationship with God.
The first item described in Exodus 37 is the Ark of the Covenant. Crafted from acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, it symbolizes God’s divine presence among His people. The Ark contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17). This reminds us of the importance of God’s law as a foundation for our relationship with Him. Just as the Ark was central to the tabernacle, the commandments should be central to our lives.
The mercy seat, which covered the Ark, was where God’s presence would manifest. It was here that the High Priest would annually sprinkle blood from the sacrifice, foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate atonement for our sins (Hebrews 9:11-14). This highlights the connection between the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the need for a Savior to bridge the gap between humanity and God.
Moving on to the table for the Bread of the Presence, we see the importance of sustenance in our walk with God. Just as the priests continually placed fresh bread on this table, we need spiritual nourishment through the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). The twelve loaves, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolize our unity as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
The golden lampstand, or menorah, was another significant piece in the tabernacle. Its seven branches symbolize the seven days of creation and the perfect, eternal light of God. In John 8:12, Jesus proclaimed, “I am the light of the world,” connecting Himself to this symbolism. We are reminded that through Christ, we have access to the eternal light that dispels the darkness of sin.
Next, the golden altar of incense demonstrates the importance of prayer and intercession in our relationship with God. The sweet aroma of incense ascending to God’s presence mirrors our prayers ascending to heaven (Revelation 8:3-4). This highlights the privilege we have to communicate with God through prayer.
The anointing oil and incense, both carefully prepared according to God’s instructions, emphasize the sanctity and holiness of the tabernacle. These items were reserved solely for use within the tabernacle, emphasizing that certain aspects of our lives should be consecrated for God’s purposes (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Overall, Exodus 37 showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and deep symbolism of the tabernacle’s furnishings. It reminds us of the importance of God’s law, His presence, atonement through Christ, spiritual nourishment, the light of Christ, prayer, and the need for holiness in our walk with Him. Just as these elements were central to the tabernacle, may these principles be central to our lives as we seek a deeper relationship with God.
Also Read: Genesis 31:49 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Exodus 37
At this point in Exodus, the Israelites had received instructions from God on how to build the tabernacle and all its furnishings. Moses had called upon the people to bring their offerings willingly, and the skilled artisans were appointed to work on the construction. The tabernacle would serve as a place of worship and a visible reminder of God’s covenant with His people.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Exodus 37
Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 37:1-9): The Ark represented the presence of God among the Israelites. It was made of acacia wood, covered with pure gold inside and out, with two golden cherubim facing each other on the lid. Inside the Ark were the tablets containing the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s staff. This sacred object served as a symbol of God’s covenant and His provision for His people.
Table (Exodus 37:10-16): The Table was crafted from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It had a rim and a border, with rings and poles for carrying. This Table held the showbread, twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel. It served as a symbol of God’s provision and sustenance for His people.
Lampstand (Exodus 37:17-24): The Lampstand, also known as the Golden Candlestick, was made entirely of pure gold. It had a central shaft with six branches, adorned with almond blossoms and cups shaped like open flowers. The Lampstand provided continuous light in the tabernacle, symbolizing God’s guidance and illumination.
Lessons from Exodus 37
In studying Exodus 37, we learn several important lessons. First, we see the meticulous attention to detail that was required for these objects of worship. This reminds us of the importance of giving our best to God in our worship and service. Just as the artisans were chosen for their skill, God has uniquely equipped each of us for a specific role in His kingdom.
Second, we observe the significance of these items in the presence of God. The Ark of the Covenant represented His covenant relationship with His people, and the Table and Lampstand symbolized His provision and guidance. As we approach God in worship today, we can be assured of His faithfulness and the abundance He offers.
Third, these verses emphasize the value of obedience. The Israelites followed God’s instructions precisely, down to the specific materials used and the measurements given. This serves as a reminder that our worship and obedience should also be characterized by a desire to follow God’s commands faithfully.
Final Thoughts
Exodus 37 teaches us that worship is not just an act; it is a reflection of our relationship with God. The construction of the Ark, the Table, and the Lampstand required skill, dedication, and obedience, illustrating the Israelites’ reverence for God’s presence and their commitment to His covenant.
As Christians, we are called to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Let us approach Him with the same reverence, devotion, and obedience demonstrated in Exodus 37. May our worship be a reflection of our love for Him, our recognition of His provision, and our willingness to follow His guidance.