3. Construction (35:1-40:38)
This final section of the book contains the joyous report of how the tabernacle was constructed in express obedience to the commands of God. God’s way of supplying our needs is better than our own. That this report begins with yet another rehearsal of the sabbath regulations further emphasizes the importance of these commands over against the other statutes on worship (see also 20:8-11; 23:10-12; 31:12-17).
The first large segment of this section (35:4-36:7) describes the collection of materials and appointment of workers for the construction. The stress is on the fact that there was something: time, talent, or material, that every person could contribute. See also 25:1-7. Thus the whole community was involved in the work. Contrast these factors with the construction of the golden calf (cf. 32:2-4). Furthermore, the participation was voluntary, not coerced (see 35:5, 21, 22, 29; 36:3). Those who have experienced the electing (ch. 19) and forgiving (ch. 34) grace of God do not need coercion to give. In fact, they may need to be restrained (36:5-7).
Between 35:30 and 39:30 the report is in largely the same words as are contained in the instructions (25:10-30:21). For comment on these, see the discussion on the corresponding elements there. On the Spirit-empowered leaders (35:30-36:1), see 31:1-11. On the tabernacle (36:8-38), see 26:1-37. On the ark (37:1-9), see 25:10-22. On the table (37:10-16), see 25:23-30. On the lampstand (37:17-24), see 25:31-40. On the altar of incense (37:25-29), see 30:1-10. On the altar of burnt offering (38:1-7), see 27:1-8. On the bronze basin (38:8), see 30:17-21. On the courtyard (38:9-20), see 27:9-19. At the end of these descriptions is a list of the total amounts of the metals used in the construction (38:21-31).
For a discussion of the priestly garments described in 39:1-31, see above on 28:1-43.
The final report of the building appears in 39:32-43. Everything had been done exactly according to God’s requirements. The result is blessing (v.43). What is being emphasized here is that covenant obedience brings blessing, whereas covenant breaking results in curse (32:10).
The climax of the book appears in ch. 40. These events are what the entire book has been leading up to, what all the previous experiences have been in aid of. The Hebrew people were delivered from bondage and brought into a covenant of obedience, all in order that they might experience the presence of God in their midst. As in the case of the tabernacle specifications, the extreme importance of obedience is emphasized by duplication: vv.1-15 give God’s commands for setting up the tabernacle, then vv.16-33 report in an almost word-for-word fashion how Moses set up the tabernacle according to God’s command. Now the glory can come down from the mountain and live in the very midst of the people (40:34-38). But even this is not the fulfillment of God’s dearest desire. One day the Glory would tabernacle in human flesh (Jn 1:14), so that in the end he might dwell in all flesh (Jn 17:5, 22, 24; 2Co 3:18).