July 6, 2025
Exodus 36:8-38:31
“The Work of Worship”
Service Overview: Exodus 36–38 recounts the detailed obedience of God’s people as they construct the tabernacle. Though tedious on the surface, every thread and plank reveals hearts devoted to God’s presence. Their faithful work reminds us that true worship isn’t just about feelings—it’s about following God’s ways, even in the details.
Memory Verse for the Week:
1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Background & Technical Insights:
- These chapters bring the book of Exodus to an important climax with the Lord coming in all his glory to inhabit the tabernacle in the midst of the Israelite camp. The whole of Exodus has been moving toward this remarkable event. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 296)
- Exodus 36:8 – 39:32 lies at the centre of this final part of the book, and this is what we would expect. A ‘theology’ of the tabernacle was laid down in 29:42–46 by the revelation that the Lord’s direct purpose in redemption was that he might dwell among his people. His work secured their redemption; and now their dedicated gifts and work secure his indwelling. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 318)
- The book of Exodus began with the Israelites “slaving” on the building projects of Pharaoh. It ends in chapters 35 – 40 with them working on another building project: the building of God’s tabernacle. As we’ve noted, the word for “slaving” and “worshipping” is the same. The people are still slaving, but the service of God brings freedom, joy and generosity. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 264)
- The tabernacle, as we have seen, has a rich symbolism within the overarching biblical story of God. As the place where heaven and earth meet, it looks back to God’s original design to dwell with humanity in the temple of his creation. It anticipates the incarnation when God “tabernacled” among us in glory, grace, and truth (John 1:14). It then becomes one of many Old Testament portraits of the people of God as a whole who, as the “new humanity” of believing Jews and gentiles united by the cross, are built into God’s own dwelling place by his Spirit (Eph 2:11–22). (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 612)
- Exodus 36 repeats Exodus 26 almost verbatim. In chapter 26 God told Moses how he wanted the tabernacle built. In chapter 36, when the people finally get around to building it, they followed God’s instructions down to the last cubit and crossbar. This is a remarkable example of full obedience to the will of God, especially when we remember what happened in between. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1104)
What does this section highlight about the nature of worship?
- Worship is rooted in reverent obedience.
(v. 36:8–38 | Deut. 10:12–13; 1 Sam. 15:22; Ps. 111:10; Is. 66:2; John 14:15; Rom. 12:1–2)
It is always important to do what God says. However, it was especially important in this case because of what the building represented. The tabernacle was God’s dwelling place on earth — a replica of his sanctuary in Heaven (see Heb. 8:5; 9:24) — and thus it was the place where people could go and meet with God. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1105)
If we had been writing the book, we might have said just that: “They did the work cheerfully and constructed the tabernacle just like God said. Period.” (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 608)
- Worship is expressed through generosity and excellence.
(v. 37:1–29 | Ex. 35:21–22; Prov. 3:9; Matt. 6:21; Mark 12:41–44; 2 Cor. 9:6–8; Col. 3:23)
God is our greatest treasure, and our lives will count on earth only when we invest them in His kingdom for eternity. (David Platt, Counter Culture, 41)
The materials and skills required for the construction of the tabernacle are willingly given by the people as an offering to God. Many of these materials were probably part of the plunder that the people took from Egypt (12:35-36). Since the plunder of a battle belonged to the victor, there is a sense in which this plunder belonged to God. But the willingness of the people is emphasized in the narrative (35:5, 20, 21, 22, 26; plus, ”skilled” in v 10, 25 means “wise of heart”). Indeed, the people have to be told to stop giving because they’ve already given “more than enough” (36:4-7). (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 264)
- Worship works when God’s people work together.
(v. 38:1–31 | Ex. 36:1–7; Neh. 4:6; Ps. 133:1; Ecc. 4:9–12; Rom. 12:4–5; Eph. 2:19–22)
Ephesians 2:21-22 says, “In [Christ] the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (see also 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Paul is talking about the church, where Jew and Gentile are united in Christ. And he is saying that the place where people can meet God is no longer the tabernacle, nor the temple that replaced it. Your church is now the place where people meet God as you proclaim and live the gospel. People need to update their address book. God’s address is no longer “The tabernacle, Sinai wilderness, nr Egypt“ or “The temple, Jerusalem, Israel”. Now God’s address is “Your church, Your town”. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 262)
Paul’s vision of the body of Christ is of a unity which consists in diversity, that is, a unity which is not denied by diversity, but which would be denied by uniformity, a unity which depends on its diversity functioning as such – in a word, the unity of a body, the body of Christ. (James Dunn, Theology of Paul the Apostle, 564)
Conclusion: How should these truths about worship shape the way we worship as follower of Jesus?
- By choosing faithful obedience over fleeting feelings.
(Ps. 119:9–11; Matt. 7:24–27; Luke 9:23; John 14:21; Rom. 6:16; Gal. 5:16–17; Heb. 11:8)
When we follow God’s instructions, doing what he says to the very best of our ability, we enjoy God’s blessing. And in our worship, and in everything else we do, what pleases God is full obedience to his revealed will. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1104)
Partial obedience is really only disobedience made to look acceptable. (Bill Arnold, 1 and 2 Samuel, 220)
Worship is not just an emotional exercise but a response of the heart built on truth about God. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psm. 145:18). Worship that is not based on God’s Word is but an emotional encounter with oneself. (Erwin Lutzer, Pastor to Pastor, 81)
- By serving with what God has given.
(Ex. 35:30–35; Matt. 25:14–30; Rom. 12:4–8; 1 Cor. 12:4–11; Eph. 2:10; 1 Tim. 4:14)
Christians are not assembly-line productions, with every unit being exactly like every other unit. Consequently, no Christian can replace another in God’s plan. He has His own individualized plan for each of us and has individually gifted us accordingly. We are not interchangeable parts in Christ’s Body. (John MacArthur, Ephesians, 137)
God’s gifts are not given capriciously; neither are they given in such a way that the option for their use is left with us. As the gifts are discovered they are to be developed and used to the full in His service and to His glory. God distributes His gifts for His purposes and for the good of His people. His sovereign administration of these gifts must be acknowledged as right and proper by His people, even when they cannot see the good. (Jay Adams, Christian Living in the Home, 60)
- By giving with a heart stirred by grace.
(Ex. 36:2; Prov. 11:25; Mal. 3:10; Luke 21:1–4; Acts 2:44–45; 2 Cor. 8:1–5; 2 Cor. 9:7)
God’s desire to dwell with the Israelites requires them to be generous, giving of their possessions, time, and skills. While God graciously initiates the building project, the Israelites themselves must undertake the task of manufacturing everything. This provides them with an opportunity to show their gratitude to God for all that he has already done for them. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 303)
Our giving is but a reflex of God’s giving. (Sam Storms, Pleasures Evermore, 64)
So it is with us. We used to spend our money pursuing selfish ends. We were slaves to our selfish desires. We worked on what our enslaving idols demanded. But God has liberated us. We’re still slaves—but now we’re slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:19). And one sign of that is the generosity of our giving. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 264)
Gospel Connection…
Jesus gave what we never could—His perfect life—so we could become what we never were: the dwelling place of God.
(Is. 53:4–6; Rom. 5:8; 8:3–4; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:18–22; Heb. 9:11–14)
God did not stop with the tabernacle in the wilderness, with the temple in Jerusalem, or even with Jesus Christ, who is the tabernacle incarnate. He wanted to have an even closer relationship with us; so by the abiding presence of his Holy Spirit, he has made his home in the church. Rather than telling us to go somewhere to meet with him, he has come to meet with us! We are a living tabernacle, God’s dwelling place on earth. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1108)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- How can we guard against a feelings-only view of worship?
- In what ways has God gifted you to serve? How are you using those gifts?
- What does excellence in worship look like for you personally or as a church?
- How can we reflect the generous spirit of Israel in our giving today?
- What’s one area in your life where God may be calling you to greater obedience?
- What does a “willing heart” look like when it comes to generosity?
- How does the pattern of worship in Exodus point us to the finished work of Christ?
Quotes to note…
The tabernacle was only the first phase of a construction project that is still underway. It was a place for God to be present with his people, but it was only temporary. When the time was right, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to live with us as God’s true tabernacle. That was phase two. Phase three is the church that God is now building by his Spirit. We ourselves have become the tabernacle of God — his dwelling place on earth. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1102)
Worship isn’t a means to an end, but the end of all means. (R.C. Sproul Jr., Pragmatic Principle, Tabletalk, October 2007, 59)
The story of the exodus is, as we have seen, a blueprint of the means of salvation. We are redeemed from slavery and death through the blood of sacrifice. But the book of Exodus also contains a blueprint of the content of salvation. The tabernacle doesn’t just happen to be like the new creation—it’s deliberately designed to be a picture of the new creation. The tabernacle is the architect’s model, a visual representation of the promise that God will dwell among his people. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 251)
Nothing keeps God at the center of worship like the biblical conviction that the essence of worship is deep, heartfelt satisfaction in Him and the conviction that the pursuit of that satisfaction is why we are together. (John Piper, The Dangerous Duty of Delight, 57)
Much of the material concerning the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings in chapters 35–39 resembles closely God’s instructions in chapters 25–30. The detailed repetition is intentional, confirming that the Israelites construct the tabernacle exactly as God has instructed. (Alexander, Exodus, 297)
Feelings must be engaged. They are meant to be involved… [Yet] our danger is to submit ourselves to our feelings and to allow them to dictate to us, to govern and to master us and to control the whole of our lives. (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression, 110)
God’s willingness to take up residence among the Israelites brings the book of Exodus to an important climax. This event is highly significant in the light of God’s plan not only for Israel but for all of humanity. From the outset of creation it was God’s intention that the earth would be his dwelling place, shared with human beings and other creatures. Unfortunately, the actions of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden complicated the fulfillment of God’s plan, requiring God to redeem the whole of creation from the grip of evil. (Alexander, Exodus, 302)
What Old Testament believers had in the tabernacle, and later in the temple, God’s people today have in Jesus Christ. The furnishings and the ceremonies point to Christ and reveal the many glorious aspects of His character and the salvation He gives to all who trust Him. Every spiritual need of the Jewish people was met in the provisions of the tabernacle, and in Jesus Christ we have everything that we need “for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). (Wiersbe, Exodus, 175)