The Tabernacle: God's Dwelling Among His People

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ARK OF THE COVENANT (25:10-22):
- Next, Moses was to create an “ark of acacia wood.”
- It was to be 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubit wide, and 1.5 cubits tall (a cubit was roughly 18 inches/.46 meters).
- The entire ark was to be covered with gold.
- The ark was to be carried on poles which were strung through rings cast on each of its 4 feet.
- Moses was to build a “mercy seat” on top of the ark flanked by 2 cherubs (heavenly beings), 1 on each side.
- The wings of the cherubs were to stretch out over the mercy seat.
- God would speak with Moses from the mercy seat.
THE GOLDEN TABLE FOR THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE (25:23-30):
- Moses was also told to build a golden table.
- It was to be 2 cubits long, 1 cubit wide, and 1.5 cubits tall.
- Four rings of gold were to be fastened to the legs of the table so it could be carried with poles.
- The table would be used to hold the “bread of the Presence.”
THE GOLDEN LAMBSTAND (25:31-40):
- The last thing God told Moses to build in Exodus 25 was a lampstand of pure gold.
- It was to have 6 branches (3 on each side) protruding from the center column, and it was to be decorated with golden flowers.
- The lampstand and its branches held 7 lamps which were designed to light the tabernacle.