Beginning of the Tabernacle

November 24, 2013 Background Scripture: Exodus 35 – 40 Lesson Passage: Exodus 40:16 – 30, 34, 38 Moses’ last ministerial responsibility was to prepare Israel on the plains of Moab to enter and possess the land of Canaan. One of the many things that Israel was charged with obeying was to maintain a central place of worship. In Deuteronomy Chapter 12, Israel was told specifically not to offer burnt sacrifices on every altar (or in every place) they might see but rather to do it only in the place selected by the Lord. Of course, one practical reason for this is that many tribes in Canaan at that time had erected a number of pagan altars for their religious use throughout the land. God does not want a sacrifice offered to Him on an altar erected to worship a pagan idol. Furthermore, God does not leave it to His followers to determine what is an appropriate place or manner to worship Him. God gave very precise construction details and religious rituals for Israel to follow. The background scripture for today’s lesson details the construction of the first tabernacle (or tent of meeting) as well as its furnishings to be used by Israel. Our lesson passage gives the step by step details of the assembling of the tabernacle. All of it was done according to the pattern the Lord had shown Moses when Moses visited with Him on the mountain. After Moses finished his work according to the Lord’s instructions, then a cloud covered the grounds of the tent and God’s glory filled the tabernacle. God gave this visible manifestation of His presence in the sight of all of Israel. By day the people saw the cloud and by night they saw the fire resting on the tabernacle. No one dared to enter the tabernacle when God’s presence was upon it. Even Moses who reared the tent stayed clear of it as long as God’s visible presence could be seen there. When the presence of God rested, so did Israel. When God’s presence moved, Israel followed. The particulars of the tabernacle and its construction were very detailed. In spite of the extent of the details and perhaps complexities, the biblical witness is: So Moses finished the work. After Moses finished the work of assembling the tabernacle and placing the furnishings inside, Israel use of the tabernacle as their centralized place of worship and sacrifices was just beginning. Whether the nation encamped in the desert or moved progressively towards the land of promise was determined by looking towards the tabernacle. Disputes among the leaders of Israel would be settled at the door or entrance to the tabernacle. Only properly prepared priests were to serve within the tabernacle curtains. Once the nation arrived in Canaan, the tabernacle was pitched in Shiloh until it was moved to Jerusalem by King David. It remained as Israel’s only place for sacrifices until it was replaced by King Solomon with a temple that was constructed using a very similar pattern to that of the tabernacle. The last chapter of the book of Exodus gives details of Moses erecting the tabernacle. Since Exodus is the book that points towards Israel’s exit from Egypt, how fitting that the book would close in this manner. Israel could now turn towards God’s presence in the tabernacle for everything and therefore they no longer needed to look back towards Egypt for anything. The end of Israel’s need to look back towards Egypt was the beginning of the tabernacle. Robert C. Hudson November 13, 2013