Ex. 35.1-39.43

We return now to more laws and instructions. Actually, the laws and instructions are nearly the same as the ones that God gave to Moses - Moses is just reiterating them for the Israelites and Bezalel is building the tabernacle as instructed. I am just going to go over these briefly because I am really itching to get to Leviticus, which, of course, will be filled with more laws and instructions. So here, in brief, are the laws and Bezalel's construction of the tabernacle. They are rather formulaic, and I attempt to echo this with my own style.

Sabbath Regulations / Preparations for Making the Tabernacle / Offerings of the Tabernacle / Bezalel and Oholiab / Construction of the Tabernacle / Making the Ark of the Covenant / Making the Table for the Bread of the Presence / Making the Lampstand / Making the Altar of Incense / Making the Anointing Oil and the Incense / Making Altar of Burnt Offering (and Basin) / Making the Court of the Tabernacle / Materials for the Tabernacle / Making the Vestments for the Priesthood / The Work Completed

Moses assembles the congregation of the Israelites and tells them...

Sabbath Regulations: Exodus 35.1-3

Keep the sabbath on the seventh day. Those who work should be put to death. Do not kindle fire in your house on the sabbath.

Preparations for Making the Tabernacle: Exodus 35.4-19

Moses collects an offering of essential materials for the tabernacle. The skillful are called to construct all its elements.

Offerings of the Tabernacle: Exodus 35.20-29

The people withdraw to collect their offerings, spin yarns for the curtains, etc. Everyone who feels compelled to do so makes this freewill offering to the Lord.

Building the Tabernacle

Bezalel and Oholiab: Exodus 35.30-36.7

[For more on these two character, see the post on Exodus 31.] Moses tells the Israelites that God has filled Bezalel and Oholiab with the divine spirit, making them skilled craftsmen in every craft.

Moses then calls the two men and "every skillful one to whom the Lord has given skill and understanding" to construct the sanctuary (Ex. 36.1). Moses gives them the materials he has collected, but every morning people bring more, so much so that the workers tell Moses that the Israelites are bringing too much. Moses actually has to command that no one else is to make an offering - what they had already brought it enough.

Construction of the Tabernacle: Exodus 36.8-38

The tabernacle is made in accordance with God's instructions [see Exodus 26 for the specifics, or click on "Exodus 36.8-38 above]. The biblical author does not explicate exactly who constructs it. Exodus 36.8-9 indicates that many skilled workers participate, but Exodus 36.10 onwards simply uses the pronoun "he." Since the narrative seems to focus on Bezalel, I would venture to say the pronoun refers to him. The next chapter seems to confirm this.

Making the Ark of the Covenant: Exodus 37.1-9

Bezalel makes the ark of the covenant and mercy seat, complete with cherubim, according to the divine instructions.

Making the Table for the Bread of the Presence: Exodus 37.10-16

Bezalel makes the table for the bread of the presence as well as its vessels, plates, dishes, bowls, and flagons of pure gold.

Making the Lampstand: Exodus 37.17-24

Bezalel makes the lampstand according to the divine instructions.

Making the Altar of Incense: Exodus 37.25-28

Bezalel makes the altar of incense according to the divine instructions.

Making the Anointing Oil and the Incense: Exodus 37.29

Bezalel makes the anointing oil and incense according to the divine instructions.

Making Altar of Burnt Offering (and Basin): Exodus 38.1-8

Bezalel makes the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils according to the divine instructions. And then something different:

He made the basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
(Ex. 38.8)

Making the Court of the Tabernacle: Exodus 38.9-20

Bezalel makes the court of the tabernacle according to the divine instructions.

An Inventory

Yes, the bible is much more than stories. It is also comprised of building instructions, laws, history, and apparently inventories. One of these inventories appear here.

Materials for the Tabernacle: Exodus 38.21-31
The inventory is introduced:

These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant, which were drawn up at the commandment of Moses, the work of the Levites being under the direction of Ithamar son of the priest Aaron. Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord commanded Moses; and with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, engraver, designer, and embroiderer in blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and in fine linen.
(Ex. 38.21-23)

Ithamar is introduced here, and Oholiab is given a greater emphasis. Before Oholiab was simply a man who helped Bezalel. Here his resume is given.

Here is the inventory of materials used:
Gold: 29 talents, 730 shekels
Silver: 100 talents, 1,775 shekels

This is half a shekel for everyone counted in the census (which, actually, has not taken place yet): 603,550 men. A talent of silver was used for each of the hundred bases of the curtain. The 1,775 shekels of silver were used to make hooks.

Bronze: 70 talents, 2,400 shekels

The bronze was used to make the bases for the entrance of the tent of meeting, the bronze altar and grating and utensils, the bases around the court, the bases of the gat, the pegs of the court, and the pegs of the tabernacle.

Making the Vestments for the Priesthood: Exodus 39.1-31
The making of the vestments is described, alternating between the pronouns "he" (presumably Bezalel) and "they" (presumably Bezalel and Oholiab) in referring to the craftsmen.

The Work Completed: Exodus 39.32-43
The Israelites, having completed the construction of the tabernacle and all its parts and adornments as the Lord commanded, present their work to Moses. When Moses sees that the Israelites did their work just as God commanded, he blesses them.