Work on the Tabernacle Begins

(Exodus 35:30 - 36:38)

Moses told the Israelite people: "Jehovah has personally selected Bezaleel, the son of Uri and grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, for he is not only divinely inspired, but endowed with great judgment and skill and expertise in a variety of crafts.  Jehovah has appointed him to be in charge of all the work to be done in gold, silver, and bronze, as well as the cutting, setting, and engraving of gemstones and the carving of wood -- a master of many crafts is he.  And Jehovah has given him and his assistant Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, the faculty to teach others their skills, to design and execute works of engraving and carpentry, to oversee the weaving of the blue, purple, and scarlet linen, and to supervise the tasks carried out by the skilled craftsmen.

“The work upon the Tabernacle will be undertaken by Bezaleel and Aholiab and the craftsman whom Jehovah has endowed with the requisite skills and know-how.  They will construct it exactly in accordance with Jehovah’s instructions.”

When Moses sent out the call for Bezaleel and Aholiab and craftsmen of God-given ability, they eagerly stepped forward and offered their services.  The materials for the job, contributed by the Israelite people, were delivered to them by Moses.  Yet, every morning, the people continued to readily bring in more materials to donate, so much so that the craftsmen working on the Tabernacle had to leave their work to report to Moses, "The people are bringing in more than is needed for Jehovah's project."  Moses, therefore, put out an order, promulgated all over the camp -- "Let no man or woman contribute any more material for the building of the Tabernacle!"  And so the people refrained from making any further contributions, (for the materials already given were more than sufficient for the work at hand).

The craftsmen working on the Tabernacle made ten curtains of linen with yarn dyed blue, purple, and scarlet, and decorated with images of Cherubim.  The length of each curtain was 42 feet and its height, 6 feet.  All the curtains were the same size. Five of the curtains were attached to each other, as were the other five.  Loops of blue yarn were sewn on the edges of each curtain so that they might meet and be joined.  Fifty golden rings were made to be used to join the curtains so that the drapery might enclose the Tabernacle.  Eleven curtains of goat hair were also made, to cover the roof of the Tabernacle.  Such curtains were 45 feet in length and 6 feet wide, all the same size.  Five of the curtains were joined to each other, while the other six were joined together.  Fifty loops were made on the edges of each curtain.  Fifty bronze clasps were made to attach the curtains so that could be all of one piece to enclose the Tabernacle.  A covering for the Tabernacle was made of tanned sheep skins, covered with fine leather. 

Upright panels were constructed of red acacia wood, the length of each board being 15 feet and their width, 27 inches.  Each board had 2 dowels, equally spaced.  (Every panel was prepared in this manner.)  For the panels of the Tabernacle, there were 20 panels on the south side with 40 silver plinths under the panels, with 2 dowels inserted into 2 plinths for each panel.  On the north side there were also 20 panels with 40 silver plinths, with 2 dowels inserted into 2 plinths for each panel.  On the west side, the rear of the Tabernacle, there were 6 panels and 2 additional panels for the 2 rear corners of the Tabernacle.   These were doubled, separated at the bottom, but joined at the top at with a single ring.  Both corners were prepared this way.  There were 8 panels with plinths of silver, 16 in number -- 2 plinths under the first panel, 2 plinths under the next panel, and so on.

They made crossbars of red acacia wood, 5 to support the panels on the north side of the Tabernacle frame, 5 for the south side, and 5 for the west side, at the rear of the Tabernacle.  The middle crossbar, positioned half way up the height of the panels, stretched from one end of the frame to the other.  The panels were overlaid with gold and fitted with rings of gold that connected the supporting crossbars, which were also overlaid with gold. 

The craftsmen made the veil for the Inner Sanctum of finely loomed linen, woven with yarn dyed blue, purple, and scarlet and skillfully decorated with the images of Cherubim.  It was hung by rings of gold from 4 posts of red acacia wood, which were overlaid with gold and set into 4 plinths of silver.  For the entrance to the Sanctum of the Tabernacle, they made a curtain, also of finely loomed linen, woven with yarn dyed blue, purple, and scarlet and skillfully decorated.  It was hung from gold rings on 5 posts that were overlaid with gold and set into plinths of bronze.

Notes
1.  Trying the reader's patience and rejecting any regard for sound editing practices, the authors go on somewhat boringly to repeat the technical specifications of the Tabernacle, apparently to demonstrate that the builders and craftsman are following precisely the instructions of Jehovah.  Why the details of construction must be adhered to so exactly is not clear, unless it be for the sake of blind obedience -- the linchpin of any religious (and military) community, the Israelites of the Exodus being a little of both.  Of course, it is possible that Jehovah did not trust the Israelites to make his Tabernacle the way he wanted it without very specific instructions, or he felt that they lacked the expertise to design it competently -- although this is contradicted by the lavish praise Jehovah has for the abilities of Bezaleel and Aholiab.

2.  There is an overabundance of materials needed for the building of the Tabernacle and the people have to be told to refrain from bringing in any more donations.  "Enough already!"  Moses must tell them.  The wealth and generosity of the Israelite people is meant to be highlighted here, as well as the devotion reflected in their material sacrifices.  So far the Israelites must be given a failing grade in following through on their promise to abide by Jehovah's commandments, but on this occasion they have at last come through when asked and given their support.  It should be noted, though, that it has always been easier for men to foster religion than to follow it.  Giving money, even time and labor, is always easier than altering one's moral behavior.  (The rich man who exploits his employees, steals from the taxman, cheats on his wife, and is an all around heel can usually be counted upon to make a hefty donation to the church fund.)