Exodus 35:6
blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
blue, purple, and scarlet yarn;

These costly dyes adorned the tabernacle curtains, veil, entrance screen, and priestly garments, setting apart the sanctuary as the dwelling place of Israel’s majestic King. Blue recalled the heavenly origin of God’s commands, purple reflected royal dignity, and scarlet anticipated the blood required for atonement. United in the sanctuary, these colors pointed beyond Israel’s worship to Christ, the heavenly Son, the true King, and the sacrifice whose blood cleanses sinners.

Exo 26:1 You are to construct the tabernacle itself…
Exo 28:5-6 They shall use gold, along with blue, purple, and…
Exo 39:1-3 From the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn they made…

fine linen and goat hair;

Fine linen formed the embroidered inner curtains of the tabernacle and was later associated with priestly holiness and righteous purity. God’s presence could not be approached casually or in moral defilement. Goat hair formed the protective outer covering, using a durable material familiar in Israel’s wilderness life. Goats also figured prominently in sacrifices for sin, especially on the Day of Atonement. The coverings testified that the holy God provided a way for His people to dwell near Him through purification and atoning sacrifice, fulfilled fully in Jesus Christ.

Exo 25:4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
Exo 26:7-8 You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent…
Exo 36:14 He then made curtains of goat hair for the tent…

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

2. Israelites
The people of God, recently freed from Egyptian bondage, who are called to contribute materials for the Tabernacle.

3. Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary that God instructed the Israelites to build as a place of worship and His dwelling among them.

4. Wilderness of Sinai
The location where the Israelites are camped and where they receive the instructions for the Tabernacle.

5. Artisans and Skilled Workers
Individuals among the Israelites who are endowed with skills and wisdom to craft the materials into the Tabernacle.
Teaching Points
Willingness to Contribute
God desires offerings that come from a willing heart. Reflect on how you can contribute your resources and talents to God's work today.

Diversity of Gifts
The variety of materials and skills needed for the Tabernacle highlights the importance of diverse gifts within the body of Christ. Consider how your unique abilities can serve the church.

Symbolism of Colors
The colors blue, purple, and scarlet have symbolic meanings, often representing royalty, divinity, and sacrifice. Reflect on how these themes are fulfilled in Christ.

God's Dwelling Among Us
The Tabernacle was a physical representation of God's presence. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit. How does this truth impact your daily life?

Attention to Detail
The specific instructions for the Tabernacle remind us of God's attention to detail and order. How can you apply this principle in your spiritual and practical life?
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the willingness of the Israelites to contribute materials for the Tabernacle teach us about our attitude towards giving?

2. How do the diverse materials and skills required for the Tabernacle construction reflect the diversity of gifts within the church today?

3. In what ways do the colors mentioned in Exodus 35:6 (blue, purple, and scarlet) point to the person and work of Jesus Christ?

4. How does understanding that believers are now the temple of the Holy Spirit change the way you view your role in God's kingdom?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your contributions to God's work are both willing and aligned with His detailed instructions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25:1-9
This passage provides the initial instructions for the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of willing contributions from the heart.

2 Chronicles 2:7
Solomon's request for skilled workers and materials for the Temple echoes the need for skilled artisans in the construction of the Tabernacle.

Hebrews 9:1-5
This New Testament passage reflects on the significance of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, connecting it to the greater reality of Christ's ministry.
The New StartJ. Orr
People
Aaron, Ahisamach, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Dan, Hur, Israelites, Moses, Shoham, Uri
Places
Sinai
Topics
Best, Blue, Byssus, Fine, Goat, Goats, Hair, Linen, Material, Purple, Red, Scarlet, Stuff, Twined, Yarn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 35:4-7

     4552   wood

Exodus 35:4-9

     4312   bronze

Exodus 35:5-6

     5392   linen

Exodus 35:5-9

     5399   luxury

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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