25:1-2 God, through Moses, organizes an offering to be given to Him by the children of Israel. God's intention here is to create a space where the children can feel, and thereby realize, God's presence.
25:3-9 It is an elaborately formed sanctuary for a reason: the furnishings will help the children of Israel distinguish sacred space from the ordinary. In modern times, people are quite able to communicate with God directly because the concept of monotheism is more readily known. The people of Moses' time are still largely ingrained with polytheism and idol worship. God's sanctuary is an attempt to transition from their former way of life to this new one.
25:10-22 Instructions are given for the creation of an Ark of the Testimony: a way to express the prominence of God's will and law.
25:23-30 Instructions are given for the creation of a Table for the Showbread, a table to be and remain formally set for God.
25:31-40 Instructions are given for the creation of a Gold Lampstand, complete with seen lamps representing God's completeness.
