GOD HAS A PLAN FOR HIS TABERNACLE

God always had a plan in mind. The building of his tabernacle was no exception. Talk about expensive! God did not spare expense. Not only that he provided wealth to his people. The Israelites were exceedingly rich.

THE MERCY SEAT:

According to the Biblical account, the mercy seat was manufactured from pure gold, and was the same width and breadth as the Ark beneath it - 2.5 cubits long, and 1.5 cubits wide; the Ark and mercy seat were, according to this passage, kept inside the Holy of Holies

In Exodus 25: TAKE UP AN OFFERING

And The Lord said to Moses: Speak to the Israelites, that they take for Me an offering. From every man who gives it willingly and ungrudgingly with his heart you shall take my offering. God doesn't want something we give out of duty, he wants it given from a willing heart, a cheerful heart. We should give to him out of thankfulness and gratitude for after all he is the one that has enabled us to get the wealth in the first place.

WHAT WILL BE GIVEN

Next God Tells Moses exactly what this offering will be: You shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze. God knew what was required, I am think he put in each man's heart that what he should give for God know's what you have. Also he said Blue, purple, and scarlet (stuff), he loves color too :) and fine twined linen and goats hair, Rams, skins tanned red, gtoat skins, dolphin or porpoise skins, acacia wood. Even oil! for the light, spices for annointing oil and for sweet incense. God wants the place to smell good too!

After God has received the materials for the tabernacle he then tells moses what he is going to do with them. Ex 25: 9: You shall make it according to all that I show you, the pattern of the tabernacle or dwelling and the pattern of all the furniture of it.

SKILLED LABORERS

Exodus 31: And the Lord said to Moses, See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship. This man was given exceeding gifts of abilities and what I find remarkable is that God even told Him his name! His job was to devise skillful works, to work in gold, silver and bronze, wood and setting stones so he was a mason as well. He also told Moses of others from the tribe of Dan.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ACACIA:

The Ark was to be made of Acacia: Interesting fact about Acacia it is found in Africa, India, Hawaii and The sharp thorns of some species deter unauthorized persons from entering into private properties, and may prevent break-ins if planted under windows and near drainpipes. The aesthetic characteristic of acacia plants, in conjunction with their home security qualities, makes them a considerable alternarive to artificial fences and walls. It is also used for medicinal purposes. A type and shadow of Jesus. He is the protector, the wall about us. The enemy cannot break in, he also is our balm, the balm of gilead, our healer. Acacia also represents resurrection and immortality. It is also very fragrant, it is used widely in perfumes. This Ark was to be made two and a half cubits long (not 3) a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.

Next God told Moses you shall overlay it with Gold! I would venture to say that this was the most pure and expensive Gold ever! Inside and out!! and make a gold crown, a rim or border, around its top.

GOLDEN RINGS AND POLES

You shall cast four gold rings and attach them to the four lower corners of it, two rings on either side. You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. And put the poles through the rings on the ark's sides, by which to carry it.