Moses remained alone on the top of the mountain with God for forty days. But the people will not hear the rest of the instructions God gave him until much later. Because while Moses was writing the bridal covenant, the impatient Israelites fell back into familiar Egyptian behavior. 

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

 And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf.

Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!”

So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Exodus 32:1-6

Meanwhile, on the mountain, God gave Moses a list of materials needed for the tabernacle. 

“Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. 3 And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. Exodus 25:2-7

God was asking for millions of dollars worth of offerings. The why of each of these items and their spiritual meaning and use will be covered as we read more of the text. For right now let’s look at who would be making the donations.

God asked specifically for “those who want to give willingly with their heart.”

This was not a fund-raising promotion. There was not any reward or honor promised to the donors. They would not have their names engraved on the side of the brazen altar or be given a bronze replica of the completed project to place on their mantle. No. God was looking for true bridal hearts. These would be those who desired to bless God and do all they could to help God build.

2 Corinthians 9:7 reflects God’s desire. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Everything needed to build the Tabernacle came from the people. It was to be a family experience. 

After He gave Moses the list, He told him what He wanted to create. 

And let them make Me a  SANCTUARY, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the TABERNACLE and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it. Exodus 25:9

Let’s pause here and dig a little deeper. Let’s look at the meaning of these two words and what purpose God had for this house of His. 

Sanctuary:  Strong’s #4720 מִקְדָּשׁ mik-dawsh’; (Exodus 15:17), a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum:—chapel, hallowed part, holy place, sanctuary.

Mem 40= Trial, Testing, Tribulation. Means Womb, Water from the womb, Cleansing water, flowing water that brings life, Mighty, Massive Chaos, Humility, taking the low place, hidden relationship with God, Cleansing water, flowing water that brings life. 

Qof 100 = Election of God’s chosen ones, set apart as holy. Means: Holiness, Consecrated, Divide, sun on horizon, Back of the Head, Make a Complete Circle, End of a Cycle, Final, Behind, Dome

Dallet  4 = Earth or creation. Means: Door, Gate, Impoverished man, to come from indicates a pathway, a place of decision, a place where change occurs, or an entrance to life or death. 

Shin 300 = Victory of good over evil, Holy Spirit. Means: Teeth, Fire, God Almighty, the Fire of God to consume all His enemies, God Devour, Destroy, Something Sharp.

A Sanctuary is a place where (Mem) the flowing water of God’s word cleanses us and brings us life. It is a (Qof) Holy place to worship God. It is a place where (Dallet) change takes place- where (Shin) God’s fiery zeal consumes and destroys His enemies—those sent to keep us from Him. 

The word Tabernacle is very similar because it has some of the same letters. 

Tabernacle is Strong’s #4908 מִשְׁכָּן mishkân, mish-kawn’; a residence (including a shepherd’s hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls):—dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent.

Mem 40= Trial, Testing, Tribulation. Means Womb, Water from the womb, Cleansing water, flowing water that brings life, Mighty, Massive Chaos, Humility, taking the low place, hidden relationship with God, Cleansing water, flowing water that brings life. 

Shin 300 = Victory of good over evil, Holy Spirit. Means: Teeth, Fire, God Almighty, the Fire of God to consume all His enemies, God Devour, Destroy, Something Sharp.

Kaf 20 = Anointing of the hand on the head, Redemption. Means: To Bend Down, Surrender, Palm of the Hand, Wing – Good works with our hand in Yeshua

Final Nun  700 Means: Life or Action

So, a Tabernacle is a place where (Mem) the flowing water of God’s word cleanses us and brings us life. Where (Shin) God’s fiery zeal consumes and destroys His enemies—those sent to keep us from Him. And a place where we (Kaf) bend down in surrender as (Nun) Holy Spirit restores us to Kingdom life and action by doing the works of Jesus. 

The Tabernacle is a picture of the Kingdom Redemption plan. We are God’s Tabernacle and His Sanctuary when we make Him our focus and time with Him a priority. When we minister to Him through obedience and love all the benefits of Kingdom Life are ours. 

God the Father and God the Son have the same heart. They want to be with us. In John 14:2-3, Jesus said, In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. – These are the words of a bridegroom to his betrothed bride. 

Jesus is building this Tabernacle for He and His Bride. 

Next time we will begin the building instructions. 

Shalom ♥