Exodus 35:23
Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, or articles of fine leather, brought them.
Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen,

These costly materials were set apart for the curtains, veil, priestly garments, and other furnishings of the Tabernacle. Blue, purple, and scarlet displayed beauty fitting for the dwelling place of the holy King, while fine linen spoke of purity. Revelation 19:8 later uses fine linen to portray the righteous deeds of the saints, made possible through the saving work of Christ.

Exo 25:4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
Exo 26:1 You are to construct the tabernacle itself…

goat hair,

Goat hair formed a durable covering for the Tabernacle, protecting the sacred structure beneath it. God’s dwelling among His people required both splendor and practical provision, showing that every part of His worship was ordered according to His design.

Exo 26:7 You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent…
Exo 36:14 He then made curtains of goat hair for the tent…

ram skins dyed red,

These skins provided another protective layer over the Tabernacle. Their red color recalls the blood of sacrifice, and the ram itself had enduring sacrificial significance from the ram provided in place of Isaac to the offerings prescribed under the Mosaic covenant. Such sacrifices anticipated Christ, whose blood secured redemption for His people.

Exo 25:5 ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood;
Exo 26:14 Also make a covering for the tent out of ram skins dyed red,…

or articles of fine leather,

Durable leather formed the outer covering of the Tabernacle and shielded it from the harsh wilderness conditions. The holy place was guarded beneath layers of coverings, reflecting both God’s nearness to Israel and the holiness that separated Him from sin.

Exo 36:19 Additionally, he made for the tent a covering…
Num 4:6 They are to place over this a covering of fine leather,…

brought them.

The people gave from what they possessed for the work God commanded. Their offerings were voluntary and abundant, joining the whole congregation in preparing a dwelling place where the Lord would meet with them. Generous giving remains an act of worship when it is offered willingly for the service of God and the good of His people.

Exo 36:3 They received from Moses all the contributions…
Exo 36:5 “The people are bringing more than enough”…
Exo 25:2 “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering”…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who conveyed God's instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle.

2. Israelites
The people of God who were called to contribute materials for the Tabernacle.

3. Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people during their journey in the wilderness.

4. Materials
Blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, and fine leather were all materials required for the construction of the Tabernacle.

5. Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites were journeying and where the Tabernacle was to be constructed.
Teaching Points
Willingness to Give
The Israelites were called to give willingly from what they had. This teaches us the importance of a willing heart in our service and offerings to God.

Diversity of Gifts
The variety of materials shows that God values different contributions. Each person’s unique gifts and resources are important in the body of Christ.

Symbolism of Materials
The colors and materials have symbolic meanings (e.g., blue for divinity, purple for royalty, scarlet for sacrifice) that point to the character and work of Christ.

Community Involvement
The construction of the Tabernacle was a community effort, reminding us of the importance of working together in the church.

Obedience to God’s Instructions
The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle highlight the importance of following God’s commands precisely.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the willingness of the Israelites to give their materials teach us about our attitude towards giving to God’s work today?

2. How can the diversity of materials contributed by the Israelites inspire us to appreciate and utilize the different gifts within our church community?

3. In what ways do the symbolic meanings of the materials used for the Tabernacle point us to the person and work of Jesus Christ?

4. How can we ensure that our contributions to God’s work are done with a willing and cheerful heart, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 9:7?

5. What lessons can we learn from the community involvement in the construction of the Tabernacle that can be applied to our local church projects and missions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25
This chapter provides the initial instructions for the Tabernacle, highlighting the importance of the materials and their symbolic meanings.

2 Corinthians 9:7
This verse emphasizes the importance of giving willingly and cheerfully, which parallels the Israelites' contributions for the Tabernacle.

Hebrews 9:11-12
These verses discuss Christ as the greater and more perfect Tabernacle, connecting the physical Tabernacle to its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.
The New StartJ. Orr
People
Aaron, Ahisamach, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Dan, Hur, Israelites, Moses, Shoham, Uri
Places
Sinai
Topics
Badgers, Best, Blue, Byssus, Coloured, Cow, Cows, Dyed, Fine, Goat, Goats, Goatskins, Hair, Hides, Leather, Linen, Material, Porpoise, Possession, Purple, Ram, Rams, Red, Scarlet, Sealskins, Sheepskins, Skins, Stuff, Tanned, Yarn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 35:23

     4807   colours
     5301   dyeing
     5392   linen

Exodus 35:20-29

     7366   freewill offering

Exodus 35:21-24

     7459   tabernacle, in OT

Exodus 35:22-23

     5212   arts and crafts

Library
An Old Subscription List
'And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work....' --EXODUS xxxv. 21. This is the beginning of the catalogue of contributions towards the erection of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. It emphasises the purely spontaneous and voluntary character of the gifts. There was plenty of compulsory work, of statutory contribution, in the Old Testament system of worship. Sacrifices and tithes and other things
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down in the Mishnah and the Jerusalem Talmud.
The terribly exaggerated views of the Rabbis, and their endless, burdensome rules about the Sabbath may best be learned from a brief analysis of the Mishnah, as further explained and enlarged in the Jerusalem Talmud. [6476] For this purpose a brief analysis of what is, confessedly, one of the most difficult tractates may here be given. The Mishnic tractate Sabbath stands at the head of twelve tractates which together from the second of the six sections into which the Mishnah is divided, and which
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Gifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Early Battles
Six months of joyous service amongst the Welsh miners was cut short by a telegram announcing to the sisters the serious illness of Mrs. Lee. Taking the news to their Divisional Commander, they were instructed to Headquarters. It was found that the illness was due to shock. The income from investments of the little estate left by Mr. Lee had dwindled; it now had disappeared altogether. Captain Lucy faced the matter with her usual practical decision. 'Mother, darling, there are two ways out. Either
Minnie L. Carpenter—The Angel Adjutant of "Twice Born Men"

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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