What should have been said and done upon Moses’ coming down the first time from the mount, if the golden calf had not broken the measures and put all into disorder, now at last, when with great difficulty reconciliation was made, begins to be said and done; and that great affair of the setting up of God’s worship is put into its former channel again, and goes on now without interruption.

1. Moses gives Israel those instructions, received from God, which required immediate observance.
   1. Concerning the sabbath (v. 1-3).
   2. Concerning the contribution that was to be made for the erecting of the tabernacle (v. 4-9)
   3. Concerning the framing of the tabernacle and the utensils of it (v. 10–19).
2. The people bring in their contributions (v. 20–29).
3. The head-workmen are nominated (v. 30, etc.).

Exodus 36

In this chapter,

1. The work of the tabernacle is begun (v. 1-4).
2. A stop is put to the people’s contributions (v. 5-7).
3. A particular account is given of the making of the tabernacle itself; the fine curtains of it (v. 8–13). The coarse ones (v. 14–19). The boards (v. 20–30). The bars (v. 31–34). The partition veil (v. 35, 36). And the hanging for the door (v. 37, etc.).

Exodus 37

Bezaleel and his workmen are still busy, making

1. The ark with the mercy-seat and the cherubim (v. 1-9).
2. The table with its vessels (v. 10–16).
3. The candlestick with its appurtenances (v. 17–24).
4. The golden altar for incense (v. 25–28).
5. The holy oil and incense (v. 29). The particular appointment concerning each of which we had before the 25th and 30th chapters.

Exodus 38

Here is an account,

1. Of the making of the brazen altar (v. 1-7), and the laver (v. 8).
2. The preparing of the hangings for the enclosing of the court in which the tabernacle was to stand (v. 9–20).
3. A summary of the gold, silver, and brass, that was contributed to, and used in, the preparing of the tabernacle (v. 21, etc.).

Exodus 39

This chapter gives us an account of the finishing of the work of the tabernacle.

1. The last things prepared were the holy garments. The ephod and its curious girdle (v. 1-5). The onyx-stones for the shoulders (v. 6, 7). The breastplate with the precious stones in it (v. 8–21). The robe of the ephod (v. 22–26). The coats, bonnets, and breeches, for the inferior priests (v. 27–29). And the plate of the holy crown (v. 30, 31).
2. A summary account of the whole work, as it was presented to Moses when it was all finished (v. 32, etc.).

Exodus 40

In this chapter,

1. Orders are given for the setting up of the tabernacle and the fixing of all the appurtenances of it in their proper places (v. 1-8), and the consecrating of it (v. 9–11), and of the priests (v. 12–15).
2. Care is taken to do all this, and as it was appointed to be done (v. 16–33).
3. God takes possession of it by the cloud (v. 34, etc.).

Chapter Subtitles

Exodus 35:1-3 ~ Sabbath Observance

Exodus 35:4-19 ~ God Asks for Willing Offerings

Exodus 35:20-29 ~ The People Bring Their Offerings

Exodus 35:30-35 ~ Tabernacle Workmen Chosen

Exodus 36:1-4 ~ Workmen Receive Offerings

Exodus 36:5-7 ~ An Abundance of Offerings

Exodus 36:8-13 ~ The Curtains of Fine Linen

Exodus 36:14-18 ~ The Curtains of Goats’ Hair

Exodus 36:19-30 ~ The Covering and the Boards

Exodus 36:31-34 ~ The Bars of Shittim Wood

Exodus 36:35 ~ The Vail of Fine Linen

Exodus 36:36-38 ~ The Pillars of Shittim Wood

Exodus 37:1-5 ~ The Ark of Shittim Wood

Exodus 37:6-9 ~ The Mercy Seat of Gold

Exodus 37:10-16 ~ The Table of Shittim Wood

Exodus 37:17-24 ~ The Candlestick of Gold

Exodus 37:25-29 ~ The Alter of Incense

Exodus 38:1-7 ~ The Altar of Burnt Offering

Exodus 38:8 ~ The Brass Laver

Exodus 38:9-20 ~ The Court

Exodus 38:21-31 ~ The Sum of Tabernacle Offerings

Exodus 39:1 ~ Garment for the Priests

Exodus 39:2-4 ~ The Ephod

Exodus 39:5-7 ~ The Girdle

Exodus 39:8-21 ~ The Breastplate

Exodus 39:22-26 ~ The Robe of the Ephod

Exodus 39:27-28 ~ The Coats of Fine Linen and the Mitre

Exodus 39:29 ~ The Girdle

Exodus 39:30-31 ~ The Plate of the Holy Crown

Exodus 39:32-43 ~ The Tabernacle Work Completed

Exodus 40:1-8 ~ Instructions for the Tabernacle

Exodus 40:9-11 ~ Anointing the Tabernacle

Exodus 40:12-16 ~ Aaron and Sons Anointed

Exodus 40:17-33 ~ Setting Up the Tabernacle

Exodus 40:34-38 ~ The Glory of the Lord

I. The orders he gives to Moses to come up to the mount, the next morning, and bring two tables of stone with him, ver. 1-4.
II. His meeting him there, and the proclamation of his name, ver. 5-9.
III. The instructions he gave him there, and his converse with him for forty days together, without intermission, ver. 10-28.
IV. The honour he put upon him when he sent him down with his face shining, ver. 29-35.

In all this God dealt with Moses as a public person, and mediator between him and Israel, and a type of the great Mediator.

Chapter Subtitles

Verses 1-4: The Second Tables of Stone
Verses 5-9: The Lord Passes Before Moses
Verses 10-11: God Renews the Covenant
Verses 12-17: No Covenant with the Inhabitants
Verses 18-21: Keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread
Verses 22-26: Keep the Other Feast Days
Verses 27-28: Recording the Covenant
Verses 29-35: Moses’ Face Shines

Questions and Challenges

The Lord proclaimed He forgives iniquity and sin but “will by no means clear the guilty” (v. 7). What does that mean?

Why did the face of Moses shine? What did it represent? Has it ever happened to anyone since? (v. 29-35)

As always, consider the lessons in this chapter and find ways they apply to us today.

In this chapter we have a further account of the mediation of Moses between God and the children of Israel since the breach that sin had made between them. He brings a very humbling message from God to them (verses 1-3, 5) which has a good effect upon them, and helps to prepare them for mercy (verses 4, 6). He settles a correspondence between God and them, and both God and the people signify their approval of that correspondence. God expresses it by descending in a cloudy pillar and the people by worshiping at the tent doors (verses 7-11). Moses is earnest with God in prayer and prevails for a promise of his presence with the people (verses 12-17) and for a sign of God’s glory for himself (verse 18).

Questions and Challenges

What does it mean to be stiffnecked (verses 3, 5)?

What did Israel lose as a result of their sin?

What modern/relevant implications does this story have?

How do we harmonize verses 11 and 20?