Exodus 36:34

And he overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. He also overlaid the crossbars with gold.

Study Bible

And he overlaid the frames with gold
The overlaying of the frames with gold signifies the preciousness and divine nature of the Tabernacle, reflecting God's holiness and glory. Gold, a symbol of purity and value, was used extensively in the Tabernacle's construction, indicating the sacredness of the space where God would dwell among His people. This act of overlaying with gold can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate manifestation of God's glory and purity. The use of gold also connects to the heavenly visions in Revelation, where the New Jerusalem is described as having streets of pure gold.

and made gold rings to hold the crossbars
The gold rings served a practical purpose, providing a means to secure the crossbars that stabilized the Tabernacle's structure. This detail highlights the importance of order and stability in God's design, ensuring that the Tabernacle was both beautiful and functional. The use of gold for the rings emphasizes the sacredness of even the smallest components of the Tabernacle. This can be connected to the New Testament teaching that every part of the body of Christ, the Church, is valuable and has a purpose (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

He also overlaid the crossbars with gold
The crossbars, like the frames, were overlaid with gold, further emphasizing the unity and coherence of the Tabernacle's design. This act symbolizes the pervasive holiness required in the presence of God. The crossbars' function of holding the structure together can be seen as a type of Christ, who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). The consistent use of gold throughout the Tabernacle points to the unchanging nature of God's holiness and the continuity of His covenant with His people.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Bezalel and Oholiab
Skilled craftsmen appointed by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle, including the overlaying of gold on the boards and crossbars.

2. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites, constructed according to divine specifications.

3. The Israelites
The people of God, who contributed materials and labor for the construction of the Tabernacle.

4. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites constructed the Tabernacle during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

5. The Crossbars and Boards
Structural elements of the Tabernacle, symbolizing strength and unity, overlaid with gold to reflect the glory and holiness of God.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience
The meticulous construction of the Tabernacle according to God's instructions highlights the importance of obedience in our walk with God.

Symbolism of Gold
Gold represents purity, holiness, and the divine nature of God. As believers, we are called to reflect God's holiness in our lives.

Unity and Strength in Community
The crossbars and boards symbolize the strength and unity of the community of believers, held together by the presence of God.

Generosity in Giving
The Israelites' contributions to the Tabernacle construction remind us of the importance of generous giving to support God's work.

God's Presence Among His People
The Tabernacle signifies God's desire to dwell among His people, a truth fulfilled in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the detailed construction of the Tabernacle reflect the character of God, and what does this teach us about the importance of following His instructions in our lives?

2. In what ways does the use of gold in the Tabernacle construction symbolize the holiness and majesty of God, and how can we apply this symbolism to our personal walk with Him?

3. How can the unity and strength represented by the crossbars and boards of the Tabernacle inspire us to foster unity within our church communities?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' willingness to contribute to the Tabernacle, and how can we apply these lessons to our own giving and support of God's work today?

5. How does the concept of God dwelling among His people in the Tabernacle connect to the New Testament understanding of Christ and the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 25
Provides the initial instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following God's detailed plans.

1 Kings 6
Describes the construction of Solomon's Temple, which also involved extensive use of gold, symbolizing God's majesty and holiness.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the significance of the Tabernacle and its furnishings as a foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work.

Revelation 21
Describes the New Jerusalem, where gold is used to symbolize the purity and glory of God's eternal dwelling with His people.