July 13, 2025
Exodus 39
“Obedience in Every Thread”
Service Overview: Exodus 39 draws our attention to the meticulous obedience of the Israelites in crafting the priestly garments and completing the tabernacle. Every thread, every detail, every action reflected reverent obedience to God’s instructions. As the final pieces are delivered to Moses, the text affirms not only their faithfulness but God’s pleasure in it; culminating in a blessing. This chapter reminds us that worship is not just about passion, but precision, submission, and devotion.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
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)
- 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 (see table 1). The detailed repetition is intentional, confirming that the Israelites construct the tabernacle exactly as God has instructed. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 297)
- There are four ‘lists’ connected with the tabernacle in chapters 25 – 40. The first (25 – 31) is the list of specification, where the tabernacle was commanded in detail; the second (36 – 39) is the list of manufacture, how and in what order the various artefacts were made; the third (40:1–16) is the list of erection, when the Lord himself directed what was to be done to create his dwelling place; and the fourth (40:17–33) is the list of construction, the completion of the tabernacle ready for the great indwelling. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 318)
- The words “completed” and “finished” are the same word in Hebrew. And it’s the word used to describe the completion of creation in Genesis 2:1-2 … Moreover the words “saw” in Genesis 1:31 and “inspected” in Exodus 39:43 are the same word in Hebrew, as are the words “made” and “done”. So we could translate them, “God inspected all that he had made, and it was very good” and “Moses inspected the work and saw that they had made it just as the Lord had commanded”. Just as God inspects creation, so Moses inspects this model of re-creation; and both give their blessing to the finished work. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 254)
- Just as the Israelites laid out the tabernacle for Moses, so our lives will be laid out before God, who alone knows all our secrets. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1153)
What does this account highlight about honoring God through careful, wholehearted obedience?
- God is honored when his patterns are followed.
(vv. 1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 32, 42, 43; cf. Deut. 12:32; Mat. 7:24; John 14:15; 1 Cor. 11:2; Heb. 8:5; James 1:22)
The point is clear: the construction exactly matches the instructions. This becomes explicit in the making of priestly garments in chapter 39, in which we’re told ten times that everything is being done “as the Lord commanded Moses”. And, as if that were not enough, the account ends with an inspection: “All the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. (Tim Chester, Exodus, 253)
The tabernacle was a dwelling place for the living God, who is awesome in holiness and glory. His house had to be made his way, or else the people would be exposed to mortal danger. After all, the last time the Israelites made something for worship, things had ended rather badly. Remember the golden calf? (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1143)
- God is honored when reverence and excellence are practiced.
(vv. 2-3, 8, 27-29, 30; cf. Prov. 22:29; 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:23; 2 Tim. 2:21; Heb. 12:28)
Why did our editors tax our patience with this extended repetition (with some minor variations) of the minute details that we read several chapters ago? The most obvious answer has to be that they considered this topic to be of primary importance, not only by repeating it but also by having it form the climax of the whole book. They clearly thought it so significant. We do well to take that more seriously than we usually do—those of us, at least, who tend to emphasize the great redemptive first half of the book with its story of God’s liberating justice and compassion while neglecting the very purpose for which it happened, the purpose God himself declared, namely, that he would dwell in the midst of his redeemed people (25:8; 29:45–46). (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 608)
- The result of honoring God is blessing.
(vv. 42-43; cf. Deut. 28:1–2; Ps. 1:1–3; Prov. 3:1–2; Is. 1:19; Matt. 25:21; Luke 11:28; John 13:17; James 1:25)
The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses” (v 32). Everything is brought to Moses for inspection. And to ensure that we know that everything is inspected, it is all listed (v 33-41). What is the outcome? “The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them” (v 42-43). (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 253)
When God’s work is done in God’s way, it always has God’s blessing… When God’s work is not done in God’s way, it does not have God’s blessing. The Israelites learned this when they worshiped the golden calf. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1149)
Conclusion: If obedience honors God, how should we respond in a world that pushes casual faith, convenient shortcuts, or half-hearted worship?
- Let God’s Word serve as your pattern.
(Josh. 1:8; Ps. 119:105; Matt. 4:4; Rom. 12:2; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; Heb. 4:12; James 1:22)
What is God calling you to do? Whatever it is, there are two ways to do it: his way and the wrong way. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1152)
The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives. (D.L. Moody, Leadership, v. 9, n. 2)
God’s Word must be so strongly fixed in our minds that it becomes the dominant influence in our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions. One of the most effective ways of influencing our minds is through memorizing Scripture. David said, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11). (Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, 86)
God’s Word becomes a millstone if we do not make it a milestone. (Kent Hughes, James, 74)
- Commit (and recommit) to offering your best to God.
(2 Sam. 24:24; Mal. 1:6–8; Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 10:31; Colossians 3:23; 1 Peter 4:10–11)
Within the context of corporate worship, excellence is at every moment offering to God one’s very best and always trying to be better. It is taking that which we have been given and, with hearts focused on the Giver, returning the gift to God as an act of worship. It is about pleasing God. It is not about being the best. It is about offering our best. (David Bowden, “The Best We Have to Offer,” Reformed Worship, March 2004, p. 2)
- Don’t grow weary in being faithful.
(Matthew 24:13; Luke 21:19; Romans 5:3–5; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9; Philippians 3:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 12:1–3; James 5:7–8; Revelation 2:10)
Christians who believe heaven replaces earth tend to treat this earth with little concern. They believe the earth will be junked at the end of history and treat it accordingly or view it as intrinsically evil. (Tim Chester, Exodus, 257)
God wants us to be dependable even when it costs us. This is what distinguishes godly faithfulness from the ordinary dependability of secular society. (Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness, 151)
The world defines success in terms of what a person possesses, controls, or accomplishes. God defines success in terms of faithful obedience to His will. (Ken Sande, The Peacemaker, 253)
Gospel Connection…
Jesus obeyed the Father in every detail—so that we, who failed in every way, might be clothed in His righteousness and made ready for God’s presence.
(Isaiah 53:11; Matthew 5:17; John 6:38; Romans 3:21–22; 5:19; 3:21–22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8–9; Hebrews 10:5–10; 1 Peter 2:22–24)
Jesus is superior in every way. He is not simply our great High Priest — he is our perfect High Priest, and everyone who trusts in him will be perfectly saved. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1139)
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.
- Why do you think God placed so much emphasis on following His exact instructions?
- How does our culture challenge the idea of wholehearted obedience to God?
- In what area of your life is God calling you to follow His pattern more closely?
- What does it look like to offer your best to God, not just your leftovers?
- What tempts you to settle for convenience or comfort instead of excellence?
- How have you experienced God’s blessing through past obedience?
- What does it mean to “recommit” to offering your best to God in this season?
Quotes to note…
Give me the grace [O Lord] to do as You command, and command me to do what You will!… O holy God…when Your commands are obeyed, it is from You that we receive the power to obey them. (Augustine, Confessions)
True Christians are people who acknowledge and live under the Word of God. They submit without reserve to the Word of God written in the “Book of Truth” (Dan. 10:21), believing the teaching, trusting the promises, following the commands. Their eyes are upon the God of the Bible as their Father and the Christ of the Bible as their Savior. (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, 116)
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. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 302)
When we come to God through faith in Jesus Christ, something amazing happens: God also comes to us. He sends his Holy Spirit — who is truly God, the Third Person of the Trinity — to live in us. The Bible says that God is able to “strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being”; it says further that Jesus Christ will “dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph. 3:16, 17a). By trusting in Christ, we become a dwelling place for God. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1108)
Partial obedience is really only disobedience made to look acceptable. (Bill Arnold, 1 and 2 Samuel, 220)
This sequence of numbers symbolizing perfection and completeness, seven–three–seven, is hardly accidental. The point surely is that Moses was indeed “faithful in all God’s house” (Heb 3:2) leading the people from rebellion, through repentance, to punctilious obedience to God’s instructions. Appropriately, therefore, when he saw what they had done, the spirit in which they had done it, and their detailed compliance with God’s plans, Moses can do what God himself did when he surveyed his own creation. He blessed them (39:43). (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 609)
The resurrection was the Father’s declaration that the Son had finished the work of our salvation perfectly: “Through the Spirit of holiness” Jesus “was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4). The blessing of the resurrection confirmed that Jesus had done God’s work in God’s way. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1151)
Holiness is…the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment – hating what He hates – loving what He loves – and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word. He who most entirely agrees with God, he is the most holy man. (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 81)