What can we learn about teamwork from the construction process in Exodus 36:16? Key Verse “He joined five curtains into one set and the other six curtains into another.” – Exodus 36:16 What’s Happening in the Passage • Skilled artisans are building the tabernacle exactly as God prescribed. • Curtains, frames, clasps, and coverings must fit together perfectly. • Verse 16 notes a deliberate pairing of five curtains and six curtains—two distinct units that will later be linked into a single structure. Snapshots of Teamwork in Exodus 36:16 • Intentional grouping – Workers didn’t throw 11 curtains into a pile; they arranged them in logical subsets that would later interlock. • Shared craftsmanship – Every curtain had to match dimensions, color, and material; no one could cut corners without ruining the whole. • Unified goal – Individual pieces existed for one purpose: housing God’s presence. Personal preferences were secondary to divine design. • Sequenced effort – Five-and-six pairing shows order. Skipping steps would leave gaps, so everyone respected the build schedule. • Interdependence – A single curtain, no matter how beautiful, was useless alone. Only when coupled did they serve their function. Practical Lessons for Today • Plan before you act. Thoughtful grouping of tasks (five and six) prevents chaos in ministry projects, family goals, or workplace assignments. • Value each role. Curtain #3 mattered as much as curtain #9. Likewise, every believer’s gift—visible or behind-the-scenes—advances God’s kingdom (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:18-22). • Aim for divine specifications. The builders didn’t improvise; they followed God’s blueprint. Our teamwork thrives when anchored in Scripture rather than personal agendas (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Respect timing. Five had to be finished before six could be joined. Healthy teams honor God-given sequences and avoid rushing ahead (Ecclesiastes 3:1). • Pursue unity, not uniformity. Curtains were identical, yet placed in different groups. We maintain doctrinal and moral consistency while serving in varied capacities (Ephesians 4:16). Supporting Scriptures • Ecclesiastes 4:9 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” • Nehemiah 4:6 – “So we rebuilt the wall, for the people had a mind to work.” • 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” • Ephesians 4:16 – “From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Putting It into Practice • Before launching a project, map out roles as clearly as those five-and-six curtain sets. • Encourage excellence by reminding teammates their work houses God’s presence for a watching world. • Regularly check alignment with Scripture, the master blueprint, so the final product showcases His glory—not ours. |
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