The Tabernacle was a moveable “tent of meeting” that God commanded Moses to build and for which God provided very detailed instructions as to the building, the furnishing, the use, the transportation and the location.
Facts about the Tabernacle:
□ There are 50 chapters in the Bible that discuss the Tabernacle
□ It would have fit in half of a football field
□ God dwelt with his people for 400 years in the Tabernacle (the Exodus to the time of King Solomon)
□ The Tabernacle was in the center of the Israelite camp
Read Exodus Chapter 25
1. What/who was the source of the items used to make the Tabernacle? See also Exodus 12:35-36.
2. With what heart did God ask them to give their offering?
3. What do these verses tell us about giving to the LORD?
□ 2 Corinthians 9:7
□ Luke 6:38
4. Copy Exodus 25:8 here. What is the purpose of the Tabernacle? What does this tell you about the heart of God?
5. How did they know how to build the Tabernacle?
6. According to Hebrews 8:1-5, it was important that Moses followed the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle exactly because it was a shadow of what?
7. What do you learn about the Ark of the Testimony from Exodus 25:10-22; Exodus 37:1-9? If you are able, draw a rough sketch of what it looked like on the back of this page.
8. What will go into the Ark according to verse 16 and 21?
9. Other things were later put into the Ark as well. What were they according to Hebrews 9:4?
10. Each of the items in the Ark were designed to remind the people of an event or action that God took on their behalf. For each of the following, give the event or action they were to remember:
□ Manna (See Exodus 16)
□ Aaron’s rod (See Numbers 17)
□ Tablets of the Law (Exodus 20)
Note: The Ark of the Covenant was to be made form Acacia wood. Acacia wood was durable and resistant to disease and insects, making it the most suitable material for constructing the ark. In addition, the Ark did not have any idols or likenesses of God. Review Exodus 20:4-5. The Israelites were to worship their God without idols or images in contrast to the pagans around them whose gods were often a combination of exaggerated animal and human features.
11. Describe and/or draw a picture of the Mercy seat based on what you read.
Note: The Mercy Seat represented the place where the High Priest would “atone for” or “cover over” the sins of the people. This was the place of the sacrificial payment for sin. Jesus, our High Priest eliminated the need for the sacrifices under the law by becoming the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins on Calvary. The Mercy Seat was where law (10 Commandments) and mercy (blood covering sin) meet.
12. Describe and/or draw the Table described in Exodus 25:23-30.
13. What goes on the table? What does this represent?
14. What do the following verses tell you about bread?
□ John 6:31-35
□ Matthew 4:4
Rooted and Grounded 