by Archbishop Elisha Chennaiah
The term “tabernacle” is often applied to the sanctuary built by Moses in the wilderness (Exodus 33:7, 39:32, 40; Exodus 40:2, 6, 7, 22, 24, 26, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35). This tabernacle functioned temporarily until a more permanent structure was erected. It was known as the tent of meeting because it was where people went to inquire of Jehovah, and as a result, they met Jehovah there (Exodus 33:7-11).
Jehovah’s Presence and Glory
When Moses prayed, “Show me thy glory,” Jehovah responded, “I will set my goodness before you, and I will utter the name of Jehovah in your hearing. I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, I will have mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Jehovah then descended in a cloud, took his place beside Moses, and called on Jehovah’s name. This encounter is recorded in Exodus 33:18 to 34:7.
The characteristics given above distinguish Jehovah from all the gods worshiped by men and nations. Moses was deeply moved to worship a God like Jehovah. What reasonable person, with proper gratitude, would not want to worship a God like Jehovah? He is worthy of worship. He has a special and just right to command the worship of all His creatures in heaven and on earth.
The Tabernacle and Its Priesthood
Jehovah asked the Israelites, whom he had freed from oppressed Egypt, to worship. He built a sacred tent of meeting in which his chosen people could worship him in the wilderness. Aaron, Moses’ brother, was given the priesthood in the family. Jehovah outlined a list of sacrifices that they could offer him on certain occasions and for certain reasons. These sacrifices have a special meaning and foreshadow the great sacrifice that Jehovah will offer in due time to take away the sin of the whole world. God spoke to Moses about this tabernacle and its priesthood:
“And I will present myself there to the Israelites, which will surely be sanctified by my glory. And I will sanctify the tabernacle and the altar; And I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve as priests to Me. And I will tabernacle among the Israelites and prove that I am their God. And they shall surely know that I am Jehovah their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them. I am Jehovah their God.” (Exodus 29:43-46)
The Permanent Temple
This portable tent of meeting was replaced centuries later by a permanent temple built on Mount Moriah in the city of Jerusalem. King Solomon, son of David of Bethlehem, built it a few years later. Jehovah sanctified this temple as a place of worship just as he sanctified the tabernacle built by Moses (1 Kings 6:1-38). King Solomon prayed for this to happen, and the divine response to his prayer is recorded in 1 Kings 9:2, 3.
Because of this, Jehovah’s name was associated with that temple in Jerusalem, and it was known to distant nations. It is precisely Yahweh who is most interested in what happens in that temple because it reflects His holy name. It is no small crime for someone to desecrate his temple.
The Design and Structure of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle was a portable tent used by Israel after the Exodus from Egypt. It housed the ark of Jehovah’s covenant, representative of God’s presence, and served as a place of sacrifice and worship. It is also sometimes called the tabernacle. It is a framework of wooden planks wrapped in a linen covering embroidered with cherubs. It is divided into two chambers, the first is the sacred and the second is the most sacred (Jos 18:1; Ex 25:9).
The tabernacle was inaugurated on the first day of the first month, Abib or Nisan (Ex 40). On that day, the priesthood was instituted at the direction of Jehovah through Moses, the mediator, and the full installation services occupied seven days. On the eighth day, the priests began to perform their official functions.
Jehovah spoke to Moses on the mountain, giving him the complete pattern of the tabernacle and commanding him to make everything according to the pattern of what was shown to him on the mountain. It served to provide a shadow of heavenly things and therefore must be accurate at least in detail (Hebrews 8:5). Jehovah inspired Bezaleel and Oholiab to do the work of others, including men and women, according to the instructions given by Moses. The result was that the children of Israel served as Jehovah had commanded Moses (Exodus 39:42; 35:25, 26; 36:1, 4). Materials were provided by voluntary donations from the people (Exodus 36:3, 6, 7). Undoubtedly gold, silver, and copper, as well as yarn, cloth, and skins, were mostly donations from what the Israelites brought from Egypt (Exodus 12:34-36). Acacia wood was available in the wilderness.
The entire framework of the structure was originally covered with a linen covering embroidered with colorful figures of cherubs. The covering is in two large sections of five cloths each, the sections being joined by loops of blue thread fastened on gold hooks. Each cloth was only 28 cubits (12.5 m; 40.8 ft) short of reaching the ground on each side of the structure by at least one cubit (44.5 cm; 17.5 in). Exodus 26:1-6.
Above the linen cloth is a cap of goat’s hair, which is made of two parts, one of six cloths and one of five. Each of the 11 cloths is 30 cubits (13.4 m; 43.7 ft) long. Over this was laid a covering of ramskins dyed red, and finally one of sealskins, apparently reaching to the ground, and provided with ropes to fasten the covering to the ground by tent pegs (Exodus 26:7-14).
Another curtain placed inside between the holy and the most holy places was embroidered with cherubim (Exodus 36:35), and the curtain of the entrance on the E was made of multicolored wool and linen (Exodus 36:37).
Your brother in Christ.
Servant of God.
Pastor Elisha Chennaiah.
from India Hyderabad.
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