Scroll to the bottom for thoughts/discussion questions!
One-sentence summary: All the leaders of the tribes of Israel brings gifts to consecrate the altar of the tabernacle, and God speaks to Moses from the mercy seat.
After Moses finishes setting up the tabernacle, he anoints it and everything inside of it. Then, all the leaders God chose from each tribe bring offerings to the Lord with carts and oxen. The Lord tells Moses to give the carts and oxen to the Levites for the service of the tabernacle, except to the family of Kohath, as their service is for the holy things which they carry on their shoulders. Each leader offers their offering on a separate day to dedicate the altar to God, with Judah going first. The offerings include livestock, grain, incense, and silver and gold utensils.
When Moses goes in to speak with the Lord in the tabernacle, He hears a voice from above the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony between the cherubim, and that is how God speaks to Him.
Thoughts/Discussion Questions:
Dedication is important and holy to God. So is sacrifice.
Jesus speaks to us now from the heavenly (true) mercy seat!