The Riches Of The Tabernacle (Exodus 25:1–27:19)

In this week’s Torah reading I would like to look at the riches of the Tabernacle.

As we start the reading this week in Exodus chapter 25, we see something very interesting in verses 1 and 2. We see that YHWH told Moses to tell the children of Israel that he wanted them to bring an offering. But interestingly, he doesn't just say an offering; he says he wants them to give it willingly with their heart. He wanted the children of Israel to bring their offering but with their whole heart, not just any offering.

In verses 3-7, it tells us what exactly he wanted these offerings to be, including gold, silver, and brass.

We see in verse 8 the whole reason why YHWH wanted Moses to tell the children of Israel to take these offerings. It says, "That he might make them a sanctuary that I might dwell among them." This is not the first time this is shown in Scripture. It's also in Exodus 29:45, where we say, "I will dwell among the children of Israel and be their Elohim." We see other references to this thought in scripture, for example, Exodus 29:45. Also, Zachariah prophesied of this at the end time in Zachariah 2:10, and we see it in Revelations 21:3 that YHWH himself says he's going to dwell amongst his people.

In verse 8, we see the reason why YHWH wanted Moses to take these offerings. YHWH wanted them to build a sanctuary that he might dwell among them. This thought is not only here in these Scriptures, but it's throughout the Scriptures. For example, in Exodus chapter 29, verse 45. Is also prophesied by Zachariah about the End Times in Zachariah chapter 2 verse 10. And you see that in Revelations chapter 21 verse 3 where YHWH says himself: "I will dwell among my people."

Throughout the rest of this Torah reading, YHWH is very meticulous in instructing Moses as to how he wanted the tabernacle built in regards to the height, the width, the depth, the type of curtains used. All the way down to what precious metals were to be used where.

This was a very expensive project to build the Tabernacle, because most of the items that were in the Tabernacle were overlaid with pure gold. Even in verse 11 in Chapter 25, it says, "Thou shalt overlay it, the Ark of the Covenant, with pure gold inside and outside.

I looked it up, and according to BibleGateway.com the cost of the Tabernacle is estimated to be around $123 million in today's dollars, based on the materials used, including gold, silver, and bronze. The total cost includes various precious metals and labor, with estimates ranging from $120 million to $200 million depending on the specific materials and labor costs.

How does this Torah portion speak to our hearts this week?

In First Corinthians chapter six, verse nineteen it tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in us, which we have of YHWH, not of our own. It goes on to say in verse 20, "For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify YHWH in your body and in your spirit, which are YHWH's."

Also, in First Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 and 17, it goes on to tell us that we are the temple of YHWH. If we defile this temple, YHWH is going to destroy us, it continues in verse 17 by saying: "For the temple of YHWH is holy, which temple ye are." He calls us in the scripture a temple for him.

Finally, in Second Corinthians chapter 6, verse 16, it tells us that we are the temple of the living Elohim, and it goes on to say that YHWH said that he will dwell with us and walk with us, he would be our Elohim and we would be his people.

So, we see the importance in these New Testament scriptures of keeping our temple clean. Just like in the Old Testament, the tabernacle items had to be pure. YHWH wants us to keep our bodies pure and holy unto Him.

YHWH Bless