THEO 360
Verse(s) Observations
Ch.25
V 1,2
God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to bring an offering if their heart
prompts them to give.
3-7
Lists the offerings Moses is to receive from the Israelites.
8
Moses is to instruct the Israelites to make a sanctuary for God and He will
dwell among them.
9
God gives the pattern for the tabernacle.
10-22
The instructions on how the ark is to be built.
23-30 The instructions for the table where the showbread will be placed.
31-40
Instructions for the gold lampstand.
Also, instructions on how the veil was to be made and where it is to be hung.
This veil marks the separation between God and His people.
Ch. 26
1-36
Specific instructions for the 10 curtains and the boards that will make the walls
of the tabernacle.
Ch. 27
1-8
These are the instructions for the altar.
God tells Moses to go get his brother Aaron and his sons. They will serve as
priests. All the priests' lineage comes from Aaron’s bloodline.
6-43 Instructions for the ephod and other priestly garments to be worn by the priests.
…
Ch. 29 This chapter gives the instructions for the consecration ceremony. Aaron and his
sons were ordained by Moses to serve at the Tabernacle as priests.
Ch. 30:1-
10
Instructions for the altar of incense.
v. 11-38 Instructions for every male to pay a ransom. Each person pays the same. It is not
based on income. It is making an atonement for their lives.
How to make the basin to clean their hands before giving their offering.
The Lord gave instructions on what type of incense to burn
Ch. 31 God chooses Bezalel and Oholiab to be the architects and all the skilled workers
were filled with the spirit of God.
12-18 God chooses a day to set apart for worship and praise and make it holy. God
gave Moses the two tablets of the covenant law inscribed by God.
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******Continued on the last page.
C. Using your Bible and the chart of observations on Exodus 25-31 you have constructed
above, record the major facts of the passage. For this exercise, you should not consult any
outside resource. You are simply writing down what you have observed in reading the
Scriptures.
i. Who (main characters in the narrative):
Moses, God
ii. What are the circumstances:
They have just been freed from bondage. Moses is on the mountain with God.
God is giving Moses instructions on how to build the Tabernacle and the altar.
iii. Where (setting):
Mt. Sinai
THEO 360
iv. When (What section of the Old Testament and/or when in the history of Israel):
The Israelites have been freed from bondage. They have crossed the red sea and Moses is on the
mountain getting instructions from God for the people. Meanwhile, the people have become
corrupt.
2. Symbolism, Metanarrative, and Cosmic Themes of the Tabernacle
A. Provide a definition of the Metanarrative of Scripture. You must interact with a minimum
of 1 academic source and include biblical references to support your findings. This
section should be one full paragraph (3-5 complete sentences).
Metanarrative is the big story. The overall theme of the Scripture.
“The biblical metanarrative refers to the overarching story found within the bible, which unfolds
from Genesis to Revelation.”1 It's how we find our identity as part of God’s redemptive plan and
discover our purpose in living for His glory. It gives meaning and purpose to human existence.
The biblical metanarrative provides encouragement and hope in times of persecution and trials. It
is a beautiful tapestry of creation, fall, redemption, and the ultimate restoration of all things.
.
1 flight. 2023. “What Is Biblical Metanarrative & Its Significance In Christian Faith.” The
Gospel Focus. May 31, 2023. https://thegospelfocus.com/daily-blog/what-is-biblical-
metanarrative/.
THEO 360
B. In 300-500 words, discuss where you observe metanarrative themes in the Tabernacle.
You must interact with a minimum of 3 academic sources and include biblical references
to support your findings.
The Tabernacle tells the story of redemption. When Christ, repudiation for our sins, the veil in
the Tabernacle that separated the people from the Holy place and the Holy of holies where God
resides was torn (Matt. 27:51, NKJV). That gave us direct access to God. The tearing of this
important curtain is part of the sequence signaling the Jerusalem temple was losing its place at
the heart of worship. “Jesus himself is –the new temple—the new most Holy place. The living
God now indwells the church of men and women, not a physical structure.”2
“In the following ways, the narrative brings out the tabernacle's function as a portable Sinai:
1. The three districts of holiness common to each.
2. YHWH communicates with Moses from the mountaintop and the Holy
of Holies.
3. The glory cloud envelops both.
4. The two tablets derived from Sinai’s summit are placed in the
Tabernacle’s parallel Holy of Holies.
5. Mediation of the divine Presence is via sacrifice.”3
2N.d. Interpreterfoundation.Org. Accessed February 14, 2024.
https://cdn.interpreterfoundation.org/jnlpdf/morales-v37-2020-pp97-140-PDF.pdf.
3A. M. Rodriguez, “Sanctuary Theology in Exodus,” Andrews University Seminary Studies 24
(1986) 132-34. Cf. N. M. Sarna’s synopsis of parallels in Exodus, 105
THEO 360
“We no longer have to offer a sacrifice because Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice.4
C. In 300-500 words, discuss how these principles (answered above) are observed in the
temple (Solomon’s or Zerubbabel’s temple) and the incarnation of Christ in the New
Testament. You must interact with a minimum of 3 academic sources and include biblical
references to support your findings.
“Until we grasp that Christ is God in the flesh, the Old Testament will remain a
4Scheumann, Joseph. 2013. “Five Truths About the Incarnation.” Desiring God. December
25, 2013. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-truths-about-the-incarnation.
THEO 360
collection of stories about how men and women struggled with the call to faith.”5
No Israelite could properly see God (John 1:18, NKJ V). At Mount Sanai Israel
needed meditation; they were justly terrified by God’s thundering. The incarnation was not
random or accidental. “It was predicted in the Old Testament and according to God’s eternal
plan. Perhaps the clearest text predicting the Messiah would be both human and God is Isaiah
9:6, (NKJV).’To us is born a child, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his
shoulder and his name shall be Wonderful, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace.’”
“Solomon’s temple and every task carried out, within it were types of Christs and his mission.”6
5 Perera, Yohan. 2008. “Solomon’s Temple and Its Relevance to the Christian.” The
Virtual Preacher. August 9, 2008. https://www.virtualpreacher.org/articles/temple-
solomon/
6 “The Incarnation: Its Relevance.” n.d. Ligonier Ministries. Accessed February 14, 2024.
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/incarnation-relevance.
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