Exodus 25:1-22

Make a Sanctuary for Me

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1Then the LORD said to Moses,

2“Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him.

3This is the offering you are to accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze;

4blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;

5ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood;

6olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;

7and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

8And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.

9You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

10And they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.

11Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.

12Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other.

13And make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.

14Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, in order to carry it.

15The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.

16And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.

17And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.

18Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,

19one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold.

20And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

21Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark.

22And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

Berean Standard Bible

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God has brought Israel out of Egypt, and now He tells Moses why He wants a sanctuary: so that He may dwell among His people. They are to bring materials willingly, from precious metals and stones to wood, oil, and yarn. These gifts serve a purpose God has chosen, and the sanctuary must follow the pattern He shows Moses.

The instructions begin with the ark, a wooden chest covered inside and out with gold. It will hold the Testimony God gives Moses. Above it will sit the gold mercy seat, overshadowed by the wings of two cherubim. God promises to meet Moses there and speak His commands for Israel.

The center of this costly work is that promise to meet and speak. Israel is not designing a god it can control or earning God's presence with expensive gifts. The LORD has taken the initiative to live among the people He rescued, and He tells them how to prepare for His presence.

John later announces that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. In Jesus, God's coming near reaches far beyond a sanctuary furnished with gold. The Son makes the Father known.

Questions

1 Why does God ask Israel to build a sanctuary?

AnswerHe says He will dwell among them. The sanctuary answers God's desire to be present with His people, rather than their attempt to persuade an unwilling God to come near.

2 Who is to contribute the materials?

AnswerMoses is to receive an offering from everyone whose heart moves him to give. The work has a clear purpose and pattern, but the contributions are to be willing.

3 What will be inside the ark, and what does God promise above it?

AnswerThe ark will hold the Testimony God gives Moses. Above the mercy seat, between the cherubim, God will meet Moses and speak His commands for Israel.

4 How does knowing God's purpose help us decide what to give?

AnswerIt shifts our attention from how impressive a gift looks to whom and what it serves. We can ask what a church or neighbor actually needs, then give freely and responsibly.

What This Means for Us

Before Israel gives anything, God has already rescued the people and promised to dwell among them. Our giving, too, should be a grateful response to His goodness, not a payment intended to secure His attention.

When a church needs resources, explain the need clearly and handle gifts honestly. Children can learn that a willing contribution matters even when it is small; generosity is not a contest over who can give the most.

Prayer

We pray: God who chooses to dwell among your people, make us willing to offer what you have given us. Teach us to honor your holiness, receive your mercy, and make our worship serve your presence rather than our pride. Amen.

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