Tabernacle in OT

The tabernacle was the place of God’s presence

Exodus 33:9–10 ESV

When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door.

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The construction of the tabernacle

It was built at God’s command

Exodus 25:9 ESV

Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

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The materials used in its construction

Many of these materials were available in the desert. Others, such as gold, would have been obtained from the Egyptians (Ex 12:35-36);

The plan for its construction

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The skilled labour employed in its construction

Exodus 31:1–6 ESV

The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

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The tabernacle courtyard and its contents

Its dimensions and construction

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The altar of burnt offering

Exodus 27:1 ESV

“You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.

The laver

Exodus 30:17–18 ESV

The Lord said to Moses, “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it,

The tabernacle’s Holy Place and its contents

Its construction

Exodus 26:36–37 ESV

“You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them.

The incense altar

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The lampstand

Exodus 25:31 ESV

“You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it.

The golden table for the bread of the Presence

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The tabernacle’s Most Holy Place and its contents

It was separated from the Holy Place by a curtain

It was designed as a perfect cube with sides of 10 cubits (4.5 metres).

It contained the ark of the covenant

Exodus 26:33–34 ESV

And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place.

The Levites were responsible for the tabernacle

Numbers 1:50–51 ESV

But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.

The non-religious functions of the tabernacle

As a reference point for locating the different tribes in camp

Symbolising that God was central to the life of the nation.

The movement of the cloud of glory showed when it was time to make or break camp

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Places where the tabernacle was sited

The tabernacle was dedicated at Sinai:

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Shiloh:

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Nob; Gibeon; Jerusalem