In this chapter, I. The work of the tabernacle is begun, Ex. 36:1–4. II. A stop is put to the people’s contributions, Ex. 36:5–7. III. A particular account is given of the making of the tabernacle itself; the fine curtains of it, Ex. 36:8–13. The coarse ones, Ex. 36:14–19. The boards, Ex. 36:20–30.

I. The workmen set in without delay. Then they wrought, Ex. 36:1. When God had qualified them for the work, then they applied themselves to it. Note, The talents we are entrusted with must not be laid up, but laid out; not hid in a napkin, but traded with.

The first work they set about was the framing of the house, which must be done before the furniture of it was prepared. This house was not made of timber or stone, but of curtains curiously embroidered and coupled together.

Here, 1. The shelter and special protection that the church is under are signified by the curtains of hair-cloth, which were spread over the tabernacle, and the covering of rams’ skins and badgers’ skins over them, Ex. 36:14–19.

In the building of a house there is a great deal of work about the doors and partitions. In the tabernacle these were answerable to the rest of the fabric; there were curtains for doors, and veils for partitions. 1.