HOW DID THEY BUILD IT?

In the middle of an uninhabitable desert, there wasn’t a lumber yard or a Wally-World to purchase the needed supplies. God commanded them to build it, so where did they get all the materials?

God told Moses: “Take up an offering among you for the Lord. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring this as the Lord’s offering: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair; ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood; oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx with gemstones to mount on the ephod and breastpiece”(Exodus 35:5–9). Everything necessary to construct the Tabernacle had been carried out of Egypt or scavenged along the way. Everything!

Remember, before exiting Egypt, God instructed them to go to their neighbors and ask “the Egyptians for silver and gold items and for clothing. And the Lord gave the people such favor with the Egyptians that they gave them what they requested. In this way they plundered the Egyptians” (Exodus 12:35–36).

The offering collected was sufficient and substantial! Very substantial! “The gold of the presentation offering that was used for the project in all the work on the sanctuary, was 2,193 pounds” (Exodus 38:24). Calculate that at $3,000 per ounce!

But how? The Hebrews were slaves… brick-makers!

God provided the resources, and He also provided the skill. “The Lord also spoke to Moses: ‘Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilled artisan in order to make all that I have commanded you’ ” (Exodus 31:1-6). 

When God calls His people to a task, He will always provide the capacity to complete that task! What is He calling you to do?

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).