Exodus 25 | Makin' a Godhaus

The LORD told Moses to tell the Israelites to bring him an offering and gave Moses a list of the stuff to be offered.

"When they're done, have 'em make a sanctuary for me and I will live right smack on the Earth with 'em," continued God.  "Make this tabernacle like so..."

God then instructed Moses to build a chest, call it an "ark" for some reason, and gave the measurements for it as well as the materials of which it was to be made (almost exclusively gold).  He was instructed to put the tablets of covenant law (yet to be given to him) in the chest ark.  It was to be carried by poles made with acacia running through rings of the ark, and the poles were not to be removed.  Probably on pain of death by mineral peltage, though I'd like to think "on pain of death by being beaten with the acacia poles."  You know, for a teensy little plot twist.

Interestingly, he instructed Moses to "make an atonement cover of pure gold, 45 inches long and two feet wide.  Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make them of one piece with the cover, at the two ends, with their wings spread upward to overshadow the cover."

Age and constant mountain climbing had not been very kind to Moses.

God then instructed Moses with regard to how to make a table.  It was also to be made of acacia and pure gold.  "And its plates and dishes," said God.  "Don't forget to make those of pure gold, too, along with its pitchers and bowls for pouring out offerings.  Put the showbread on this table to be before me at all times."

"That it?" asked Moses.

"Nope.  Lampstand."

"Pure gold?"

"Yup.  It's gonna be complicated."  God then laid out complicated instructions, the full extent of which you're welcome to view here or, y'know, in an actual Bible.  If it helps, a cubit's like, 18 inches or something.

"Make sure," God said, "that you follow my instructions for makin' this stuff."