Exodus

Exodus 37: God’s meeting place is prepared

Begin in prayer

Before Bezalel makes the furnishings for God’s meeting place, let us ask the Lord to teach us His gracious purpose. Pray that the work of the sanctuary will direct our hearts toward Christ and His greater ministry.

For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.

Psalm 132:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us see the grace behind Your promised meeting place. Show us Jesus, who fulfils the purpose of the sanctuary through His saving ministry. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Bezalel makes the ark of acacia wood and covers it inside and outside with pure gold. Its gold mercy seat has two cherubim facing inward with their wings spread over it. He makes the table and its gold vessels, with poles so it can be carried. The lampstand is hammered from pure gold in one piece, with branches, almond-shaped cups and seven lamps. He also makes the gold-covered incense altar with its carrying poles. Holy anointing oil and pure incense are prepared according to the perfumer’s craft.

As you read Exodus 37, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God’s promised meeting place is prepared through faithful work under His word.

The account moves from the tent’s structure to the furnishings through which its appointed service will take place. Bezalel makes the ark, the chest whose contents will bear God’s testimony. Its gold cover is the mercy seat, the place where God promised to meet Moses in the instructions (Exodus 25 verse 22). The gold figures called cherubim face that cover, so the report keeps attention on the appointed meeting place. The table and its vessels prepare for the bread that will stand before God. Seven lamps and their tools are made from one talent of gold, with branches shaped like almond blossoms. The incense altar, holy oil and incense complete the chapter’s work for the sanctuary’s service. The artisans’ care gives visible form to a promise first heard on the mountain. Hebrews names these furnishings as belonging to the earthly sanctuary that anticipates Christ’s greater ministry (Hebrews 9 verses 1 to 12).

How does Exodus 37 show us that God’s promised meeting place is prepared through faithful work under His word?

The ark and mercy seat prepare God’s appointed meeting place.

The ark is covered with gold and fitted for carrying. The cherubim face the gold cover where God promised to speak with Moses. Their making serves a promise of God’s presence among the people He rescued.

The table and lampstand prepare the holy room for service.

Gold vessels belong to the table, while seven lamps light the space before the lampstand. Its flowers and branches are hammered as one piece. Each furnishing receives the form God commanded, showing that His word governs the work.

The sanctuary’s service points toward the ministry of Christ.

The incense altar, oil and incense are made for holy use. Hebrews describes the sanctuary and then shows the greater ministry of Jesus (Hebrews 9 verses 1 to 12). The promised fellowship comes to its fulfilment through the Savior’s own saving work.

Memorise

The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

Exodus 37:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what outward religious thing am I trusting instead of Jesus Himself?

The gold figures face the mercy seat, where God had promised to meet Moses. Now the cover, the ark and the room’s other furnishings are being made. The people receive the appointed place for fellowship from God’s own word.

The greater fellowship comes through Jesus. Our sins separate us from the holy God, and Christ suffered for His people to remove that guilt. He died at the cross and rose to enter God’s presence on their behalf. His completed sacrifice is enough, and His ministry secures everything needed for their salvation.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. The repentant believer has forgiveness through His blood. Do not rest in the beauty of religious things while refusing the Savior they announce. Come to Christ Himself, who brings His people into the presence of God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the holy furnishings served God’s promise to meet His people, fulfilled through Jesus' death, resurrection and heavenly ministry. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for preparing His promised meeting place and fulfilling its purpose in Christ, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But he spoke of the temple of his body.

John 2:21

Lord, thank You for giving Israel a place of meeting under Your word. Please keep our eyes from stopping at outward beauty. Turn us from sin and lead us to trust Jesus. Teach our family to value the fellowship He purchased and to worship with thankful hearts. Amen.