Exodus 36:20-38 NKJV
20 For the tabernacle he made boards of acacia wood, standing upright. 21 The length of each board was ten cubits, and the width of each board a cubit and a half. 22 Each board had two tenons for binding one to another. Thus he made for all the boards of the tabernacle. 23 And he made boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side. 24 Forty sockets of silver he made to go under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons. 25 And for the other side of the tabernacle, the north side, he made twenty boards 26 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards. 27 For the west side of the tabernacle he made six boards. 28 He also made two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle. 29 And they were coupled at the bottom and coupled together at the top by one ring. Thus he made both of them for the two corners. 30 So there were eight boards and their sockets—sixteen sockets of silver—two sockets under each of the boards.
31 And he made bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle, 32 five bars for the boards on the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle on the far side westward. 33 And he made the middle bar to pass through the boards from one end to the other. 34 He overlaid the boards with gold, made their rings of gold to be holders for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.
35 And he made a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen; it was worked with an artistic design of cherubim. 36 He made for it four pillars of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, with their hooks of gold; and he cast four sockets of silver for them.
37 He also made a screen for the tabernacle door, of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver, 38 and its five pillars with their hooks. And he overlaid their capitals and their rings with gold, but their five sockets were bronze.
The details of constructing the Tabernacle often seem overwhelming—measurements, materials, and design are laid out with exacting precision. Yet these details remind us of a profound truth: God plans are purposeful, and His desire to dwell among His people is revealed even in the smallest aspects of the Tabernacle’s construction. Each acacia wood board, silver socket, and veil spoke of God’s holiness and the care He takes in meeting with His people. The upright boards, overlaid with gold, formed a framework of strength and beauty, held together by silver sockets. The curtains and veils of finely woven fabric, adorned with cherubim, pointed to His majesty. Every element was prepared with intention, reflecting God’s order and His worthiness to receive the best His people could offer.
This passage also highlights the cooperation among God’s people in fulfilling His plan. Skilled craftsmen worked tirelessly, shaping wood, weaving fabric, and crafting gold. Their hands followed God’s design exactly, knowing their work would create a holy space for His presence. These laborers did not invent their own plans or cut corners; they were faithful to the pattern God provided.
As followers of Christ, we too are called to labor for the kingdom with faithfulness and care. Our lives, like the Tabernacle, are a dwelling place for God’s Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Just as He required precision in the Tabernacle’s construction, He calls us to walk in obedience to His Word, offering our lives in worship. Are we careful in the way we live, ensuring that our actions, thoughts, and relationships align with His will? Are we faithful stewards of the gifts He has given us, using them to build His kingdom and bring Him glory?
Let us find encouragement in the fact that God’s plans are not only detailed but also gracious. His desire to dwell with us is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who tore the veil and made the way for us to come boldly into His presence. Let us pray: Lord, Your plans are perfect, and Your ways are good. Teach us to walk carefully and faithfully according to Your Word, offering our lives as holy dwelling places for Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.