Exodus Chapter Outline
Chpt. 31: God appoints two men and fills them with the Holy Spirit in order to lead the effort to construct the wilderness tabernacle. These men are Bezalel, appointed to have general oversight of the project, and Oholiab, his assistant (Exodus 31:1 - 6).
The keeping of the seventh day Sabbath, as a sign between God and his people, is reiterated. The people were to keep the holy Sabbath throughout their generations forever as a perpetual covenant.
[What Were Jesus' Sabbath Miracles?]
Moses receives two tablets of stone with the commandments written by the hand of God (Exodus 31:18)
Chpt. 32: The impatient Israelites, seeing that Moses has yet to come off Mount Sinai, turn to Aaron to make them a golden calf to worship. They contribute golden earrings to be melted for its construction.
God's people, after the calf is created, indulge in idolatry. They offer sacrifices to the idol and feast before it. They then "rise up to play" (Exodus 32:6), a likely reference to illicit sexual behavior which would have included adultery. The dancing they perform, as is common among idolatrous worship, was also likely sensual in nature.
The Lord tells Moses to get off the mountain and confront the people sinning in Israel's camp. God then relents from wiping out the people due to their sins only when Moses steps in to intercede for them.
Moses, when he finally witnesses the chaos taking place among the Israelites, breaks the stones upon which the commandments are written. After confronting Aaron over his role in Israel's idolatry he has the idol burned then reduced to powder. He then scatters it upon some water and makes the Israelites drink it!
Moses then has the sons of Levi, who were not involved with worshipping the calf, kill anyone who still persisted in idolatry. The Levities end up killing 3,000 people. God, at an unknown time later, also causes a plague to come upon those who sinned as punishment.
Chpt. 33: God reveals he will aid Israel in conquering six different groups of people, living in the Promised Land, so that they can receive what he promised Abraham.
The Israelites' grievous sins cause God to decide not to personally lead them (Exodus 33:3), a decision he will soon reverse on Moses' behalf (verses 15 - 17).
Moses requests to see God's glory. The Lord walks past him, not allowing him to see his face, but showing him his back parts.
Chpt. 34: God has Moses create a second set of stone tablets to replace the ones he destroyed.
The Lord warns his people, especially the males, that once they are in the Promised Land they should not marry anyone from the pagan groups they encounter. This warning is given for two reasons.
An Israelite marrying someone who worships pagan deities risks inculcating their abominable practices into the worship of the true God. Such a marriage can also lead an Israelite (especially males) to fully abandon the true God and turn to idolatry.
[Does Bible Prohibit Interracial Marriage?]
The Israelites are commanded to completely and utterly destroy any idolatry they find in the land of Canaan.
The Lord commands three Holy (Feast) Day seasons be kept by his people. The first is the Feast of Unleavened Bread which is observed every spring. The second is the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) which takes place when the firstfruits of the wheat harvest comes in. The third is the Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles) during the fall harvest (Exodus 34:18, 22).
Moses is in God's presence, near the top of Mount Sinai, for 40 days and nights to receive the Ten Commandments a second time. When he finally comes off the mount his face shines from interacting with the Lord's holiness.
[What Does the Number 40 Symbolize?]
Chpt. 35: Moses, after reiterating the Sabbath commandment, asks the people to donate various raw materials in order to build and furnish the wilderness tabernacle. He also asks for volunteers to make the tent, covering, clasps, tables, lampstand and other furnishings needed.
The Israelites, in a rare occurrence, fully obey the Lord by giving enough materials and providing enough labor to begin the work of the tabernacle.
Chpt. 36: The Israelites dedicate themselves to building the tabernacle in the wilderness from scratch.
Chpt. 37: The dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant are given as 2 1/2 cubits long, 1 1/2 cubits wide and 1 1/2 cubits high (Exodus 37:1). Based on a conservative 17.5 inch (44.5 centimeters) long cubit, the Ark is 3.64 feet (1.1 meters) long, 2.18 feet (.66 meters) wide, and 2.18 feet (.66 meters) high.
The mercy seat, the name of the lid (cover) placed on the Ark of the Covenant, is described. It is made of gold and has a cherub attached on each end. Other furnishings and utensils used in the temple are also described.
Chpt. 38: The Bible continues to offer details on all the implements and other tools to be used in the tabernacles to worship God.
The amount of gold donated and used to create the tabernacle and all it contained amounted to more than 29 talents. If we assume a value of $2,500 U.S. per troy ounce, a talent of gold today is worth $2,735,000! Twenty-nine talents would be worth $79.3 million.
[How Will Gold Fulfill Prophecy?]
The number of males counted in Israel's first census (not counting women, children, the tribe of Levi or non-Israelites) is 603,550 (Exodus 38:26). A bekah was collected from each male to pay for maintenance and repair of the tabernacle.
Chpt. 39: The Israelites fulfill all that was required to construct God's wilderness tabernacle including the garments worn by Aaron the High Priest. Moses was so satisfied at what they accomplished that he blessed them.
Chpt. 40: The tabernacle in the wilderness is set up and anointed to serve God. It is dedicated for service on the first day of the first month of the second year after Israel left Egypt. This date, Nisan (Abib) 1 in Hebrew civil year 2317, corresponds to March 18 in 1444 B.C.
[Israel's Wilderness Camp Picture]
Placed inside the Ark of the Covenant are the two stones tablets which delineate the Ten Commandments. Also included in the Ark is a golden pot which contains manna and Aaron's rod that budded (see Exodus 16:33, Hebrews 9:4).
A cloud covers the tabernacle, and God's glory fills it, after it is set up and dedicated (Exodus 40:34 - 35).
Ex. 1 to 10 Outline - Ex. 11 to 20 Outline
Ex. 21 to 30 Outline - Ex. 1 to 10 Questions
Ex. 11 to 20 Q's - Ex. 21 to 30 Q's
Ex. 31 to 40 Q's - Amazing Exodus Facts!