Exodus Chapter 37

MAKING OF THE ARK, MERCY SEAT, TABLE OF SHEWBREAD, LAMPSTAND, AND ALTAR OF INCENSE

This chapter describes how the instructions for the fashioning of the items specified were meticulously carried out.

The Tabernacle Furniture Completed — vv. 1-38:31.

Bezaleel supervises the making of the various parts of the tabernacle as described. Aided by the Holy Spirit granted him, the work is successfully completed.

For his appointment to this labour and his qualifications for it, see Exo. 31:2; 35:30. The exact repetition of that which was commanded, and that which was done, indicates the scrupulous attention to detail shown by Moses in carrying out everything commanded him. See the comment in Heb. 3:1-2, and connect with John 4:34: 17:4.

VERSES 1-9

For notes on this section see com­ments on Exo. 25:10-20.

"And Bezaleel made the ark" — Apparently Bezaleel was the more skilful of the two master-artisans, and therefore the construc­tion of this most diffi­cult of all the objects to fashion was placed into his care. In regard to the tabernacle, the order of construc­tion fol­lows the order of descrip­tion. The most scribed sections are made first (see ch. 25). This follows the divine order. Christ was pro­vided before the ecclesia is glorified.

The statement of v. 7, that the two cherubim were "beaten out of one piece" is rendered in the R.V. "beaten work" as in Exo. 25:18.

VERSES 10-16

See notes, Exo. 25:23-29.

VERSES 17-24

See notes, Exo. 25:31-39.

VERSES 25-28

See notes, Exo. 30:1-5.

VERSE 29

"And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary" — For details see Exo. 30:23-35.