Exodus 39 teaches children that the people of Israel carefully made the holy clothes and the tabernacle exactly the way God told Moses, and that God is pleased when we do our work faithfully for Him. This lesson is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
When God gives a job, we do it carefully and all the way, just as He asked, because it matters to Him.
Memory Verse
Exodus 39:43
Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
(WEB)
Have children hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, then slowly clap once and say “Just as He said.” Repeat the motion together three times so the words and the action stick.
The Story: Exodus 39 for Kids
God had a special job for the people of Israel. They were building a holy tent called the tabernacle, where God would be close to His people. Moses was their leader, and he told them exactly what God wanted them to make.
The workers made beautiful clothes for Aaron, the priest. They used blue, purple, and scarlet thread, along with fine linen. Some workers hammered gold into very thin sheets and cut it into tiny wires. Others worked onyx stones and set them in gold, with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel carved into them.
They made a breastplate with twelve stones in four rows, one stone for each tribe. Then they sewed little gold bells and pomegranates around the bottom of the robe. Every bell and every pomegranate was placed carefully, one after another.
When the work was finished, the workers brought everything to Moses. Moses looked over all of it and saw that every piece had been made just as God commanded. Moses said a blessing over the people, because they had done their work well and obeyed God.
Think about how the people must have felt when they saw the finished work. They had been careful with every detail, and God had given them a way to serve Him together.
Read It Together
Exodus 39:1-3
1 Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses. 2 He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 3 They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman.
(WEB)
Point out the colors and the gold the workers used. Ask children to notice the words “as the LORD commanded Moses,” which show that the people listened closely before they started working.
Exodus 39:6-7
6 They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel. 7 He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.
(WEB)
Explain that the names of the twelve tribes were carved onto the stones so that God would remember His people. Help children see that God knows each one of us by name, too.
Exodus 39:32
Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting was finished. The children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they did.
(WEB)
Show children that the work was “finished” because the people did “according to all that the LORD commanded.” Talk about how finishing a job the right way is a way of obeying God.
Talk About It
- What did God want the people to make, and why was the tabernacle special?
- Why do you think the workers used such beautiful colors and gold?
- What were the names of the twelve tribes written on the stones for?
- Why did Moses bless the people when he saw their work?
- What is one job you have been given at home or at school, and how can you do it carefully for God?
Activity Ideas
Colorful Breastplate Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, glue, and small colored stickers or buttons. Draw a large square on the paper and divide it into four rows. Have children write or draw the names of family members in each row, decorating each one with stickers to represent the stones. Talk about how each person is special to God.
Carefully Follow the Leader Game
Set out a simple obstacle course with chairs and pillows in a room or yard. Have one child be the leader, giving clear instructions like “Hop over the pillow” or “Walk around the chair.” The other children must follow each direction exactly, just as the workers followed God’s commands. Switch leaders so everyone gets a turn.
Take-Home Thankful Bells
Give each child a few small jingle bells, a piece of yarn, and a paper card. Have them tie the bells to the yarn and hang it somewhere in the home. Encourage them to ring the bell each time they finish a chore carefully, reminding them that doing good work for God brings joy.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Exodus 39 shows that God cares about every detail of worship and service, from the smallest bell to the largest stone. The chapter also highlights obedience: the repeated phrase “as the LORD commanded” reminds us that faithful work begins with listening to God. It points forward to the holiness and care God gives to His people.
Avoid suggesting to children that God is only pleased by perfect work or that they must earn His love by doing things flawlessly. Make clear that God loves them first, and that faithful effort is a response to His kindness.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for giving us jobs to do and for helping us do them well. Help us listen carefully to You, follow Your instructions, and work with joy. Thank You for knowing each of us by name. Amen.
