Chapter Summary

Making of the ark, mercy seat, table, candlestick, altar.

Discussion Questions for Exodus, Chapter 37

1. What did the priests use to carry the ark? Why were they used? How do they protect the priests from harm? Why is God's presence dangerous to man? What safeguards you from God's presence? How does this impact your access to God?
2. What was the function of the ark? What does that about God? What is surprising about God’s presence in the midst of obstinate Israel? What does this say about God’s disposition towards Israel?
3. How were the cherubim described? What insight does this give into the heavenly temple? How does these cherubim relate to later biblical depictions, particularly from Isaiah and Ezekiel? Where else were cherubim found in the ancient world? What purpose did they serve there? How might these concepts of cherubim differ from modern ones?
4. What was the mercy seat? What are some possible translations for this word?
5. What might the lampstand symbolize? How many branches were there on the lampstand? Why might this be significant?
6. Temples of countries surrounding Israel contained idols. Why might Israel’s tabernacle not include one? Who was instead supposed to be the image of God?
7. The altar of incense was placed before the Holy of Holies (Ex. 30:6). What are some things that incense represented? How does the incense compare to God’s presence on Mount Sinai.
8. What was anointing oil? What might it symbolize?
9. Think about who God uses to build the tabernacle? Why does God use them? Does God need them?
10. In the beginning, God created everything. The tabernacle was symbolic of heaven on earth. Why is it significant that God used the Israelites to create the tabernacle?

Key Words/Phrase

Work, 36:1.

Characters

Bezaleel.

Strong Verse(s)

6, 9.