The Tabernacle serves as a reminder of Eden. It also serves as a foretaste of the new Eden. But when it was built, it served as a portal of the place heaven meets earth.

In Exodus 25-40, there are two lengthy sections about the Tabernacle. The first section is the blueprints for the tent and then the second section is the building of the tent according to the blueprints. And both of these sections have many ties.

To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. —Exodus 24:17-18 (NIV)

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. —Exodus 40:34-35 (NIV)

What ties do you see between these two passages?

In between the two sections about the Tabernacle, there is a story about a Golden Calf. And it has some strong implications.

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” 2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” —Exodus 32:1-3 (NIV)

Why do you think the Israelites asked Aaron to make gods?
Why do you think Aaron went a long with it?
What are the implications of Aarons last statement here?

The story then shifts back to God and Moses on the mountain. And God is fully aware what is happening back in the camp… So he says to Moses… Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation. (Ex. 32:10) But Moses intercedes for the people 5 different times.

What do you think of God’s reaction?
Why does Moses intercede?

The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” —Exodus 32:30 (NIV)

What does it mean to “make atonement”?
Was Moses successful in making atonement for Israel’s sins?

No one can access God without sacrifice because God is both just and merciful.

Discuss how Jesus became the ultimate atoning sacrifice for our sins.

What does God ask us to sacrifice today?