The Tabernacle: A Pattern for Worship

Context: The relationship between God and man

• Adam & Eve in the garden

• Wandering in the wilderness

THE TENT OF MEETING - Exodus 33:7-11 It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the Lord would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.  Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside.  As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses.  When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents.  Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.

THE TABERNACLE 

Exodus 25:1-9 The LORD said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them. Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece.  Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you."

(pattern is laid out through Exodus 25-31, 35-40) - Show picture of tabernacle, surrounded by 12 tribes of Israel

• The Outer Court - 75 ft X 150 ft - The brazen altar, the lavar

• The Tabernacle - 15 ft X 45 ft

  • The Holy Place - the lampstand, the table of showbread, the altar of incense

  • The Most Holy Place (behind the veil) - the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat

Exodus 36:1-7 “The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.”  So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work. Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning.  Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work.  They went to Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!” So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: “Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings.  Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.

Exodus 40:34-38 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.  Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it.  But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.  The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

These 'meeting places' were temporary.  God-initiated, dependent upon obedience, whether complex "to the letter" pattern, or a simple "do not eat" command.  

In worship - enter his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise, but don't stop there; enter into the Holy Place, straight to the Holy of Holies, to the very seat of mercy

Attitude shift - from wilderness/promised land mentality to realizing "God with us"

Next week: "The Living Tabernacle" - read Multiply IV:7