Moses gathered the people to give the commands for building the tabernacle, a tent for worshiping God. They were to work six days and rest on the seventh, the Sabbath. Anyone who worked on that day would be put to death, and no fire was to be lit in their homes. Moses then called for offerings: metals, colored yarns, fine linen, skins, wood, oil, spices and stones.
Everyone whose heart moved them brought an offering. Men and women brought gold ornaments; skilled women spun colored yarn and linen; leaders brought stones, spices, and oil. Bezalel and Oholiab received skill and the ability to teach others. The workers began the work with the gifts Moses had received.
The gifts kept coming until the craftspeople told Moses there was more than enough. Moses ordered that no further offering be brought. They made linen curtains embroidered with cherubim, joined them with loops and gold clasps, and made coverings of goat hair and skins.
They made the boards and bases for the structure and an ark to hold the tablets of God’s commands. Its cover, the mercy seat, had two winged figures called cherubim. They also made the table, lampstand, altars for incense and burnt offerings, a basin for washing, the courtyard and the priestly garments. The priest’s breastpiece held twelve stones for the sons of Israel, and his turban carried a gold plate reading Holy to the LORD.
Israel finished all the work as commanded. They brought every part to Moses, and he inspected it and blessed them. God then told him to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month and gave the places for the ark, veil, table, lampstand, altars, basin, and courtyard.
On the first day of the first month in the second year after leaving Egypt, Moses set up the tabernacle. He placed the tablets in the ark and hung the veil to screen it. He arranged the bread, lit the lamps, burned incense and offered sacrifices. He, Aaron and Aaron’s sons used the basin to wash their hands and feet. When Moses hung the courtyard curtains, the work was finished.
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter because of the cloud and glory. Whenever the cloud lifted, Israel set out; when it remained, they stayed until it lifted. The cloud was over the tabernacle by day and fire was in it by night before all Israel.