Read Exodus 25:1–9; 35:4–29; 36:2–7
While the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, God told Moses to build and furnish a beautiful place of worship: the tabernacle. Once it was completed, God filled the tabernacle with his glory (Exodus 40:34) and it became a holy place where people could experience the presence of God in a very special way.
Before work on the tabernacle started, God instructed Moses to ask the Israelites to provide all that was needed for the project. This included gold, silver, bronze, coloured thread, fine linen, wood, olive oil, spices and precious gems (Exodus 25:3–7). All of these things were of great value to the wandering Israelites. The people were also invited to give their time and skills to God and to the project (Exodus 35:10).