These chapters are the instructions given Moses by God for building the tabernacle. Exodus 25:⁸ Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. ⁹ According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.” Of course, God dwells everywhere, so this is a figurative dwelling of God. They were commanded to make the ark of the covenant out of acacia wood and keep the 2 tables of stone on which the 10 commandments were written inside the ark. Acacia is the largest and most durable tree native to the arid Sinai region, making it the only practical timber available of sufficient size along their route. The wood used to cons truct the ark had to be durable since the ark would last for hundreds of years. The mercy seat of pure gold was placed on top of the ark with two cherubim on top of the mercy seat. Exodus 25:²¹ You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony which I will give to you. ²² There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.” The ark would be placed in the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. Later we read that the high priest would go into the Most Holy Place only on the Day of Atonement once each year and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat to “atone” for the sins of the people for the past year.

As you read of the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings, you will notice a lot of gold, silver, curtain material, etc. These materials would have been the things the Egyptians gave Israel as they were leaving Egypt after the death of the firstborn. It even says that Israel “plundered” Egypt, so there were a lot of materials given to them. Here are some great slides of the tabernacle and its furnishings. These images are all found by a google search and I never use them to make money. I only use them for my Bible classes, for teaching the Bible, and for my blog articles (for which I do not charge a subscription).

Of special note is the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place. The two tables of stone of the 10 commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded were all kept inside the ark.

Chapter 28 gives the instructions for the garments for Aaron the first high priest and his sons who were priests. The garments were lavish as God wanted to show His glory in the dress of these priests who would be ministering to him in the tabernacle. Notice the golden ephod with its golden breastplate with 12 precious stones and the Uriim and Thumim used to determine God’s will. Animal sacrifices were made for the conssecration of Aaron and his sons and they were anointedd with oil.

The priests were commanded to offer two lambs on the brazen altar (the altar of burnt offerings) each day (one in the morning and one at twilight). Exodus 29:⁴⁵ I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God. ⁴⁶ They shall know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God.
God gave this pattern for building the tabernacle and its furnishings in great detail.” Hebrews 8:⁴ Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; ⁵ who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” Exodus 25: Exodus 25:⁸ Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. ⁹ According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.”

The typology of the tabernacle and its seven sacred furnishings serves as an earthly shadow and prophetic blueprint pointing directly to the person, work, and mediatorial ministry of Jesus Christ.

The Outer Court
The Altar of Burnt Offering: Made of acacia wood covered in bronze, it symbolized divine judgment and Christ as the ultimate, substitutionary sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
The Bronze Laver: A basin of water where priests washed before ministering, typifying daily spiritual cleansing and regeneration through the Word and the Spirit.

The Holy Place
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah): A pure gold, seven-branched lamp providing continuous light, prefiguring Christ as the Light of the World and the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit.
The Table of Showbread: Held twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes, symbolizing Christ as the Bread of Life who sustains communion between God and His people.
The Altar of Incense: Stood before the inner veil, typifying the perpetual intercession and prayers of Christ on behalf of the redeemed.

The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)
The Veil: A heavy curtain separating humanity from God’s immediate presence, which was torn open at Christ’s crucifixion, granting believers direct access to the Father.
The Ark of the Covenant and Mercy Seat: An acacia and gold chest housing the Law beneath the blood-sprinkled mercy seat, representing the throne of grace, atonement, and the dwelling presence of God.

Israel would stay at Mt Sinai for a year so there was plenty of time to build the tabernacle and its furnishings.