Exodus 38:11
The north side was also a hundred cubits long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases. The hooks and bands of the posts were silver.
The north side was also a hundred cubits long,

The northern boundary matched the prescribed dimensions of the southern side, displaying the careful obedience of Bezalel and the workers to the pattern God gave Moses. The courtyard enclosed the place where Israel drew near to God through sacrifice, marking a clear boundary between ordinary life and the holy dwelling place of the Lord.

Exo 27:11 Likewise there are to be curtains on the north side,…
Exo 27:9 You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle.…

with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases.

The posts and their bronze bases supported the linen hangings that formed the court’s enclosure. Bronze appears prominently at the entrance to worship, especially in the altar of burnt offering, where sin was confronted through the sacrifices God appointed. The durable bases gave stability to the boundary surrounding the altar and laver.

Exo 27:10 with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases,…
Num 3:37 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard…

The hooks and bands of the posts were silver.

Silver fittings joined and strengthened the posts while adding dignity to the court’s structure. Israel’s atonement money was silver, paid as a ransom for each person numbered among the people (Exodus 30:11–16). The bronze at the court’s foundations and the silver upon its posts fittingly portray the need for judgment against sin and the provision of redemption through the sacrifice God accepts.

Exo 26:32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood,…
Exo 26:19 with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle from God.

2. Bezalel and Oholiab
Skilled craftsmen appointed by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

3. The Tabernacle
A portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

4. The North Side of the Courtyard
Part of the outer structure of the Tabernacle, measuring a hundred cubits long, with specific materials and design as instructed by God.

5. The Israelites
The people of God who contributed materials and labor for the construction of the Tabernacle.
Teaching Points
God's Attention to Detail
The specific instructions for the Tabernacle's construction highlight God's concern for detail and order. This teaches us the importance of obedience and precision in our service to God.

Symbolism of Materials
The use of bronze, silver, and other materials in the Tabernacle construction symbolizes various aspects of God's nature and His relationship with His people. Bronze often represents judgment, while silver can symbolize redemption.

Community Involvement
The construction of the Tabernacle required the participation and contributions of the entire Israelite community, illustrating the importance of unity and collective effort in fulfilling God's purposes.

God's Presence
The Tabernacle served as a physical representation of God's presence among His people, reminding us of the importance of seeking and maintaining God's presence in our lives today.

Foreshadowing of Christ
The Tabernacle and its elements foreshadow the coming of Christ and His redemptive work, encouraging us to see the Old Testament as pointing towards the New Testament fulfillment in Jesus.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the detailed construction of the Tabernacle reflect God's character and His expectations for His people?

2. In what ways can the materials used in the Tabernacle's construction (bronze, silver) be seen as symbolic, and how do these symbols apply to our lives today?

3. How does the concept of the Tabernacle as a dwelling place for God among His people relate to the New Testament teaching that believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit?

4. What lessons can we learn from the communal effort of the Israelites in building the Tabernacle, and how can we apply these lessons to our church communities today?

5. How does the Tabernacle foreshadow the work of Christ, and what does this teach us about the continuity between the Old and New Testaments?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 26
Provides detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, including the materials and dimensions, which are echoed in Exodus 38.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the significance of the Tabernacle as a foreshadowing of Christ's work and the heavenly sanctuary.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Relates the concept of the Tabernacle to believers being the temple of God, emphasizing holiness and the presence of God among His people.
The Brazen Altar, the Laver, and the CourtJ. Orr Exodus 38:1-21
The Court and its LessonsJ. Urquhart Exodus 38:1-31
People
Aaron, Ahisamach, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Dan, Hur, Ithamar, Levites, Moses, Uri
Places
Sinai
Topics
Bands, Bases, Brass, Bronze, Connecting-rods, Copper, Cubit, Cubits, Filets, Fillets, Hangings, Hooks, Hundred, North, Pegs, Pillars, Posts, Silver, Sockets, Twenty
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 38:8-11

     4312   bronze

Exodus 38:9-12

     4363   silver

Exodus 38:9-15

     5618   measures, linear

Exodus 38:9-19

     7344   curtain

Exodus 38:9-20

     5271   courtyard

Library
The Unmerciful Servant.
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

The Doctrine of the Scriptures.
I. NAMES AND TITLES. 1. THE BIBLE. 2. THE TESTAMENTS. 3. THE SCRIPTURES. 4. THE WORD OF GOD. II. INSPIRATION. 1. DEFINITION. 2. DISTINCTIONS. a) Revelation. b) Illumination. c) Reporting. 3. VIEWS: a) Natural Inspiration. b) Christian Illumination. c) Dynamic Theory. d) Concept Theory. e) Verbal Inspiration. f) Partial Inspiration. g) Plenary Inspiration. 4. THE CLAIMS OF THE SCRIPTURES THEMSELVES: a) The Old Testament. b) The New Testament. 5. THE CHARACTER (OR DEGREES) OF INSPIRATION. a) Actual
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

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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