Exodus 39 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Exodus 39 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• God delivered the Israelites from slavery in approximately 1491 B.C.

• Chapter 40 verse 2 tells us the Tabernacle was finished and erected for the first time 1 year after the Israelites left Egypt.

CHARACTERS:

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words to the people.

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt.

• Bezalel and Oholiab – Two men specially gifted with the Spirit of God to help in the construction of the Tabernacles and the holy items within it.

WHERE:

• When Moses relayed God’s instructions regarding the Tabernacle to the Israelites, the people were camped at Mount Sinai.

OUTLINE:

• MAKING THE PRIEST’S GARMENTS (39:1-31):

  • While on Mount Sinai, God gave Moses very detailed instructions on how to make the holy garments for the priests who served in the Tabernacle. In this chapter we read about the creation of those garments.

  • The ephod of the high priest was made of “gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen.”

  • Two onyx stones, containing the names of the tribes of Israel, were attached to the shoulder pieces of the ephod.

  • A breastpiece was made in the style of the ephod. It contained 4 rows of precious stones (12 stones total)

  • The breast piece was attached to the ephod with gold cords.

  • A robe of blue was made for the high priest, and on its hem were hung small woven pomegranates and golden bells.

  • The craftsmen also created a turban and gold crown/plate. The gold plate was attached to the turban with a blue cord.

  • Additional garments were made for the high priest’s sons who were to assist him in his work.

• THE PIECES OF THE TABERNACLE ARE COMPLETED (39:32-43):

  • After what was apparently several months, all the pieces of the tabernacle were completed, and the people brought them to Moses.

  • Verses 33-41 provide a list of each item created. We’ve discussed each of these items at length in previous chapter summaries.

  • Every article was created according to the instructions God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.

  • Moses blessed the people for their work.

DIAGRAM OF THE TABERNACLE: