Exodus · chapter 36 of 40
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Exodus 36 tells how the craftsmen begin the work of the tabernacle under the direction of Bezalel and Oholiab. The people bring so much each morning that the workers tell Moses it is more than enough, and he commands that no more be brought. Then the linen and goats' hair curtains, the coverings, the frames, the crossbars, the veil and the entrance screen are made.
After the call for offerings in chapter 35, Exodus 36 tells of the actual beginning of construction. It is the fulfillment, almost word for word, of the instructions God gave in chapter 26. The text underlines the people's obedience and the abundance of what was brought.
Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person, to whom the Lord gave ability and understanding, set about doing all the work of the sanctuary just as the Lord had commanded. Moses calls them and hands over the offering the Israelites had brought. But the people keep bringing freewill offerings every morning.
The craftsmen leave their work and tell Moses that the people are bringing much more than is needed for the work. Moses orders it proclaimed through the camp that no man or woman is to make anything more for the offering for the sanctuary, and so the people are restrained from bringing more. What had been gathered was enough and more than enough.
The rest of the chapter describes the work according to the plan of chapter 26. The craftsmen make ten curtains of fine twisted linen, blue, purple and scarlet, with cherubim, joined in two sets with loops and gold clasps. They make eleven curtains of goats' hair for the tent and coverings of rams' skins dyed red and of fine leather. They prepare the acacia frames with their tenons, silver bases and crossbars. They make the veil with cherubim, hung on four acacia posts overlaid with gold, and the screen for the entrance of the tent with five posts.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Bezalel, Oholiab and the craftsmen do the work according to all the Lord had commanded. The wisdom and skill they have come from God, and they put them at his service.
The craftsmen tell Moses that the people are bringing much more than is needed for the work the Lord commanded. It is rare for a group to say it has too much, and it shows the people's generosity.
Moses has it proclaimed that no one is to bring more, and the people stop bringing. What they had was enough and more. God's work is done with what he gives, neither more nor less.
The veil is made of blue, purple, scarlet and fine twisted linen, with cherubim. It is the veil that, according to chapter 26, separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, now made just as commanded.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom God gave ability. — Exodus 36:1-2
Answer: That the people were bringing much more than was needed for the work. — Exodus 36:5
Answer: That it be proclaimed that no one should make anything more for the sanctuary offering, and the people stopped bringing. — Exodus 36:6
Answer: Ten curtains of fine twisted linen with cherubim. — Exodus 36:8
Answer: Goats' hair, eleven curtains. — Exodus 36:14
Answer: The veil of blue, purple, scarlet and linen with cherubim, hung on four acacia posts. — Exodus 36:35-36
Exodus 36 raises an uncommon question today: when was the last time a congregation had to say it already had enough? A group can ask what changes the heart so that people give gladly and how leaders can manage with transparency what is entrusted to them.
It also highlights faithfulness in details. The craftsmen followed the plan to the letter. In Christian service the small things count too: preparing a lesson, tidying a room or caring for a child. Whoever does well what God entrusts to him takes part in his work.
Exodus 36 leaves the tent and its veil finished, with the people's generosity as the backdrop. Chapter 37 turns to the furniture: the ark, the table, the lampstand and the altar of incense, which Bezalel makes with his own hands.
The repetition shows that exactly what was commanded was done. In ancient narrative, repeating a plan when telling its execution underlines obedience. For today's reader, it teaches that God expects careful obedience.
That God provides enough for his work and moves the hearts of his people. The text does not attribute the generosity to pressure or to a trick of Moses, but to the people's willingness and God's provision.
The text says it was done by the skilled craftsmen under the direction of Bezalel and Oholiab. The work was a team effort, with leaders and with many skilled hands.