You must make the tabernacleThe tabernacle was a portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert. It served as the dwelling place of God among His people. The Hebrew word for tabernacle, "mishkan," means "dwelling place." This command emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's instructions, as the tabernacle was to be constructed precisely as God directed. The tabernacle prefigures Jesus Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (
John 1:14), symbolizing God's presence with humanity.
and design all its furnishings
The furnishings of the tabernacle included the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the showbread, the golden lampstand, the altar of incense, and other items. Each piece had specific symbolic meanings and functions, pointing to aspects of worship and the nature of God. For example, the Ark represented God's throne and His covenant with Israel, while the lampstand symbolized the light of God's presence. These furnishings also foreshadowed Christ's work and His role as the light of the world (John 8:12).
according to the pattern I show you.
The pattern given to Moses was a divine blueprint, indicating that the tabernacle was a copy of heavenly realities (Hebrews 8:5). This underscores the idea that earthly worship is a reflection of heavenly worship. The specificity of the pattern highlights the holiness and orderliness of God, requiring precise adherence to His instructions. This pattern also points to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the true temple (John 2:19-21) and the mediator of a new covenant, bringing believers into the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:11-12).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law, including the instructions for the tabernacle.
2.
The TabernacleA portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.
3.
Mount SinaiThe place where Moses received the instructions for the tabernacle and the Law from God.
4.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were to construct the tabernacle according to the divine pattern given to Moses.
5.
God's PresenceThe central focus of the tabernacle, symbolizing God's desire to dwell among His people.
Teaching Points
Divine BlueprintGod provides specific instructions for His dwelling place, emphasizing the importance of obedience and reverence in worship.
Symbolism of the TabernacleEach element of the tabernacle points to deeper spiritual truths and foreshadows Christ's work and presence.
God's Desire to Dwell with UsThe tabernacle represents God's ongoing desire to be present with His people, culminating in Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Attention to Detail in WorshipJust as the Israelites were to follow God's pattern precisely, we are called to approach worship with intentionality and respect.
Faithfulness in Following God's PlanThe construction of the tabernacle teaches us the importance of adhering to God's guidance in our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 25:9?
2.How does Exodus 25:9 emphasize following God's specific instructions in our lives?
3.What does the "pattern of the tabernacle" teach about God's attention to detail?
4.How can we apply the concept of divine design in our daily decisions?
5.How does Exodus 25:9 connect to Hebrews 8:5 about heavenly patterns?
6.In what ways can we ensure our worship aligns with God's prescribed order?
7.How does Exodus 25:9 reflect God's attention to detail in worship practices?
8.Why is the tabernacle's design so significant in Exodus 25:9?
9.What does Exodus 25:9 reveal about God's relationship with His people?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 25?
11.Exodus 25:9 – Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the exact specs or layout described for the tabernacle and its furniture?
12.Exodus 27:9–19: How do we reconcile these detailed Tabernacle dimensions with differing descriptions of sacred spaces elsewhere in the Bible?
13.Exodus 26 – How do these tabernacle measurements align or conflict with other biblical or historical texts regarding the scale and feasibility of such a dwelling?
14.If Moses received precise instructions for the Tabernacle in Exodus 38:1–7, why aren’t there consistent records in other ancient sources acknowledging this event?What Does Exodus 25:9 Mean
You must make“You must make” places the weight of responsibility squarely on Moses and, by extension, the people.
• The verb is imperative—God is not offering a suggestion but issuing a command (Exodus 35:10-11).
• Obedience to this call becomes the benchmark of faithfulness: “The Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Exodus 39:32).
• Throughout Scripture, genuine love for God reveals itself in doing what He says (John 14:15;James 1:22).
the tabernacleThe tabernacle (literally, “dwelling place”) is God’s chosen meeting point with His covenant people.
•Exodus 25:8 sets the purpose: “They are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.”
• Every board, curtain, and socket declares God’s desire to live with His redeemed community—foreshadowing “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14) and culminating in “The dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3).
and design all its furnishingsNothing inside the tent is left to human imagination.
• Chapters 25–30 list each item—the ark, table, lampstand, altars, basin, garments—each carrying theological weight later unpacked inHebrews 9:1-5.
• The detail underscores God’s interest in both the macro and the micro of worship (Matthew 10:29-30).
• Because “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), even brass rings and blue cords have a purpose, pointing ultimately to Christ’s redemptive work.
according to the patternMoses must reproduce an already-existing heavenly reality.
• “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40).
•Hebrews 8:5 explains: the earthly sanctuary “is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.”
• Worship is acceptable only when it mirrors God’s own blueprint; innovation that departs from His pattern—like Nadab and Abihu’s “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10:1-2)—invites judgment.
I show youGod Himself supplies the revelation needed for obedience.
• Moses spends forty days on the mountain receiving these visual instructions (Exodus 24:18).
• “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11), reminding us that divine guidance is always personal and sufficient.
• Jesus models the same dependence: “The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees the Father doing” (John 5:19).
summaryExodus 25:9 teaches that worship belongs to God, is designed by God, and must be carried out exactly as God reveals. He commands action, defines the place, specifies every detail, supplies the heavenly template, and personally discloses that template to His servant. When we submit to His revealed pattern, we experience the joy of His dwelling presence—just as Israel did in the wilderness and as believers will eternally in the New Jerusalem.
(9)
The pattern.--It has been maintained that God shewed to Moses (1) a material structure, furnished with material objects, as the model which he was to follow in making the Tabernacle and its appurtenances; (2)
apictorial representation of the whole; (3) a series of visions in which the forms were represented to the eye of the mind. The entire analogy of the Divine dealings is in favour of the last-mentioned view.
Verse 9. -The patterns. Many of the old Jewish commentators supposed, that Moses was shown by God a real material structure, which actually existed in the heavens, far grander than its earthly copy, after which he was to have the tabernacle fashioned. Some recent Christian writers, without going these lengths, suggest that "an actual picture or model of the earthly tabernacle and its furniture was shown to him" (Keil). But the words of the text, as well as those ofActs 7:44, andHebrews 8:5, are sufficiently justified, if we take a view less material than either of these -i.e., if we suppose Moses to have had impressed on his mind, in vision, the exact appearance of the tabernacle and its adjuncts, in such sort that he could both fully understand, and also, when necessary, supplement, the verbal descriptions subsequently given to him. It is unnecessary to inquire how the impression was produced. God who in vision communicated to Ezekiel the entire plan of that magnificent temple which he describes in ch. 40-42, could certainly have made known to Moses, in the same way, the far simpler structure of the primitive Tabernacle. CHAPTER 25:10-22
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You must make
תַּעֲשֽׂוּ׃(ta·‘ă·śū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213:To do, make
the tabernacle
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן(ham·miš·kān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908:A residence, the Tabernacle
and
וְאֵ֖ת(wə·’êṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case
design
תַּבְנִ֣ית(taḇ·nîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8403:Structure, a model, resemblance
all
כָּל־(kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every
its furnishings
כֵּלָ֑יו(kê·lāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3627:Something prepared, any apparatus
according to
כְּכֹ֗ל(kə·ḵōl)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every
the pattern
תַּבְנִ֣ית(taḇ·nîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8403:Structure, a model, resemblance
I
אֲנִי֙(’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:I
will show
מַרְאֶ֣ה(mar·’eh)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To see
you.
אוֹתְךָ֔(’ō·wṯ·ḵā)
Direct object marker | second person masculine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case
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OT Law: Exodus 25:9 According to all that I show you (Exo. Ex)
