Jan 30, 2010 Exodus 38-40:16

They continued fashioning the articles for the sanctuary of God. They built the altar out of acacia wood and covered it with bronze. They made the utensils out of bronze. They made the basin for washing as they were instructed. They made all the curtains and stands to hold them for the courtyard. In all, a little over a ton of gold, 3 3/4 tons of silver and 2 1/2 tons of bronze were used! In all 603,550 men aged 20 or more were counted in the census.

Then the priestly garments were made from the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen. The sacred garments for Aaron, the ephod and the breastpiece were made as Moses instructed. The robes were ornamented with pure gold bells alternating with embroidered pomegranates. Aaron and the priests also wore turbans and sashes. And finally a diadem to be tied on the turban with a blue cord. On the diadem was engraved, "HOLY TO THE LORD."

So when everything was finished, they brought it before Moses to inspect it all. It was done as Moses directed, so he blessed them.
It seem quite a stunning amount of sacred objects. I marvel at the ability these people had to create everything from what they had brought with them from Egypt. And I also wonder what their lives must have been like living in tents and not having things I take for granted, like electricity and power tools, or running water.

Next, they set up the tabernacle and the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the first month. In it they placed the ark, the table and the things that went with it, the lampstand and the lamps, and the altar of incense. The altar of burnt offering was placed at the entrance to the tabernacle with the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and fill it with water. (I'm going to find a diagram of this - I do so much better with pictures.) Then everything was anointed with oil to consecrate (set apart for God) it all.

Then Moses did what God had said and brought Aaron and his sons to be washed and dressed and anointed. This anointing was "to a priesthood that will continue for all generations to come."

Tomorrow we finish Exodus! Also read Leviticus ch 1-4