2025 December 14 Bible Study - Exodus 25:1-28:30

Monday — Exodus 25:1–30

The furnishings of the sanctuary are the climax, and what is especially important is the meaning of making these furnishings.

God commanded Moses to build the tabernacle because God was willing to dwell among the Israelites. How fallen humanity returns to Eden, and how God meets with human beings, is the narrative thread of the entire Bible. The only way God and humanity are reconciled is, of course, Jesus Christ, but the Old Testament already contains foreshadowings of this: Eden, the sanctuary, the temple, and finally Christ. God desired to dwell in the tabernacle among the Israelites, showing His love and His willingness to redeem this people.

The furnishings of the tabernacle:

• they came from the offerings of the Israelites;

• their purpose was that God might dwell among the Israelites;

• their design had to be made according to the pattern God instructed.

The Ark of the Covenant: it connects God and humanity, heaven and earth.

1. Idols are fixed in one place, but the ark was carried as the people journeyed.

2. The tablets of the Law were placed inside the ark: this shows how seriously God regards the function of the Law, and that the Law must be fulfilled (through Jesus Christ) for God and humanity to be connected. One of the most important challenges in our lives is also how to live out the Law.

3. The cherubim: God is enthroned above the ark, and the cherubim serve to cover His presence, for God Himself has no image (God is spirit).

4. Compared with idols, the ark of God appeared less outwardly glorious, showing that God appears small and humble in the world.

The Table: God is a God who cares for human needs. He provided a table for human use, especially for the bread of the Presence. The bread of the Presence shows that God is the One who gives and supplies all our needs.

Tuesday — Exodus 25:31–40

The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place are dark, because God wants to remind us that this world is dark.

The Golden Lampstand: it is shaped like an almond tree in blossom. Almond trees are difficult to bring into bloom, which shows that God watches over and preserves His word. God’s word illuminates the whole world, and apart from God’s word there is no light. This shows how important it is for Christians to seek God’s word, so that we may understand the world.

The lampstand was made of one piece of pure gold, showing that Jesus Christ is the light of the world, and that His divine and human natures are united in one whole. The lampstand was hammered out, showing that Jesus Christ suffered in this world. The church also must be united with Christ as one body.

The members of the church are also connected to one another, living out a life of mutual love (whereas fallen humanity naturally lives in mutual hatred). Each of us must also undergo shaping and refinement, being formed and tested, in order to shine and become a lampstand in the world.

There were seven lamps, showing that the churches love one another and are united.

The imagery of the golden lampstand is frequently used by the apostle John (for example, “walking in the light”).

We are also reminded of the seven heads and ten horns in Revelation, which are an imitation or counterfeit of the golden lampstand.

Wednesday — Exodus 26

The construction of the tabernacle had to follow God’s instructions. This reflects the Second Commandment: both the object of worship and the manner of worship must be correct. The true demand of the Second Commandment ultimately points to Christ—worshiping according to Christ’s word and pattern (taking up the cross) and doing the will of God.

The tabernacle and its furnishings were made of pure gold, symbolizing God’s glory and holiness. There was no board on the east side, indicating that humanity was driven out of Eden toward the east. This shows that the sanctuary is a prototype or foreshadowing of Eden.

The symbolism of the three colored threads of the tent:

• Blue represents the heavens,

• Purple represents royalty and nobility,

• Red represents the precious blood of Jesus.

The sea cow (or porpoise) skins formed a waterproof covering with no outward glory. The ram skins dyed red signify that Jesus shed His precious blood for us.

Jesus Christ, like the sea cow skins covering the sanctuary, had no outward beauty or majesty. Yet only through Jesus Christ can one enter that glorious sanctuary.

The boards were tightly joined together, showing that churches are closely connected to one another, and believers are closely joined to one another, living in mutual love.

Thursday — Exodus 27

The bronze altar outside the sanctuary shows that before entering the sanctuary, people must offer sacrifices, because human beings are unable to keep the Law. However, the sacrifices of bulls and goats cannot truly atone for sin, so humanity needs the true sacrifice—the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are two systems: the system of the Law and the priestly system. The priestly system must make atonement for the people so that they can come before God.

At the same time, we are also called to follow Jesus and deny ourselves.

The lamp was to be kept burning continually:

1. It shows that the Lord desires to dwell with the Israelites.

2. It shows that Israel was to be a light to the world, drawing the Gentiles to turn to God.

The Lord Jesus Christ enlightens the Gentiles and calls the church into being, displaying a completely different set of principles—mutual love—and bearing witness to God. This light will never be extinguished: a true city set on a hill, drawing all nations to Christ.

Friday — Exodus 28:1–30

The role of the priest is that of a mediator: representing the people before God and representing God before the people, bearing the debt of Israel’s sin.

The sacred garments point to Christ. The four colors of thread—with one more color than in the tabernacle, namely gold—represent authority and honor. They point to the unchanging union of the divine and human natures of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The two onyx stones, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes, were placed on the ephod. When the priest put on the ephod, he became the representative of Israel, bearing all the sins of the Israelites on his shoulders. This is a task that only Jesus Christ can truly accomplish.

The breastpiece: it was worn over the chest, showing that the priest must love the twelve tribes and pray for them. This represents Jesus Christ, who is willing to hold the twelve tribes of Israel close to His heart and to love us forever. The breastpiece was firmly attached to the ephod, showing that bearing the burden of sin and loving God’s people are inseparable. Through the ephod and the breastpiece, we see how deeply Jesus loves us.

The Urim and the Thummim were two stones used to inquire of God. When God’s people worship Him in Christ, God is willing to reveal His will to us: to keep His Law and to follow Jesus.