1.28 Exodus 25-27

Katrina Hofstetter

January 28, 2020

Exodus 25-27

Summary:  Chapter 25 begins with God giving Moses instructions for assembling the Ark of the Covenant and receiving His commandments for the people of Israel.  The rest of chapter 25 and all of chapters 26 and 27 consist of God giving Moses instructions on building the tabernacle and its altar and court. These passages highlight the importance of God’s commands and having a sacred place to worship Him.  God instructs Moses to adorn everything in gold, silver, and bronze, and to drape curtains of blue, purple, and scarlet.

What is one key verse?  The verse that spoke to me the most was in the very beginning in Chapter 25 verses 1 and 2:

“The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution.  From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.”

God spoke to Moses and told him to collect an offering from the people of Israel before even explaining what it was for.  He wanted the people to give out of the generosity of their hearts and not because there was a specific need.  

How does what you read change your vision of God?  God doesn’t need anything from us.  And he didn’t truly need the people of Israel to contribute gold, silver, and bronze in order for the Ark or tabernacle to be built.  I’m sure that God could have spoken the words and both would have just existed. But that’s not the point. God wants us to give the best of ourselves and of what we have (we learned that in the last few chapters).  He wants us to give willingly and from our hearts. These chapters have changed my vision of God by showing me that God can and will take every opportunity to help us grow and become more like Jesus.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?  I feel that I need to be watchful for opportunities where God is trying to help me grow (maybe through pain or difficult circumstances) and be moldable to His plans.  I also think that I need to develop more of a giving heart when I don’t see any specific need.

How will you Go With God because of this reading?  My plan is to be more mindful and intentional with my fellow brothers and sisters by reaching out and connecting, without being prompted by a known need.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters?  I thought of Jesus in these chapters when God described to Moses all of the precious ingredients for the Ark and tabernacle.  Clearly God wanted the finest materials used and I feel like this speaks volumes about how the Ark and tabernacle should have been treated and viewed.