Topical Bible: Tabernacle: Completed

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The Tabernacle, often referred to as the "Tent of Meeting," was a portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness and until the construction of Solomon's Temple. The detailed instructions for its construction were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Book of Exodus.

Biblical Description and Construction

The Tabernacle's design and construction are meticulously detailed in Exodus 25-31 and 35-40. God commanded Moses, "Let them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). The structure was to be made according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain (Exodus 25:9).

The Tabernacle consisted of several key components:

1. The Outer Court: Enclosed by linen curtains, the outer court contained the bronze altar for burnt offerings and the bronze basin for ceremonial washing (Exodus 27:9-19).

2. The Holy Place: This section housed the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense. The priests entered the Holy Place daily to perform their duties (Exodus 26:33-35).

3. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies): Separated by a veil, this innermost chamber contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna. The mercy seat atop the Ark was considered the earthly throne of God (Exodus 26:33-34; Hebrews 9:4).

Materials and Craftsmanship

The materials used for the Tabernacle were contributed by the Israelites as freewill offerings, including gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and various precious stones (Exodus 25:1-7). Skilled artisans, led by Bezalel and Oholiab, were filled with the Spirit of God to carry out the intricate work (Exodus 31:1-6).

Function and Significance

The Tabernacle served as the focal point of Israelite worship and the visible symbol of God's presence among His people. It was the place where sacrifices were offered, and where the high priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16:2-34).

The Tabernacle also prefigured the coming of Jesus Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14) and fulfilled the sacrificial system through His death and resurrection. The writer of Hebrews explains that the Tabernacle was a "copy and shadow of what is in heaven" (Hebrews 8:5).

Historical Context

The Tabernacle was constructed during the Israelites' encampment at Mount Sinai and was completed in the second year after the Exodus (Exodus 40:17). It accompanied the Israelites throughout their wilderness wanderings and was set up at various locations in the Promised Land, including Shiloh (Joshua 18:1).

The Tabernacle's role as the central place of worship continued until the reign of King Solomon, who built the First Temple in Jerusalem, thereby providing a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant (1 Kings 6:1-38).

Theological Implications

The Tabernacle underscores the holiness of God and the necessity of approaching Him through prescribed means. It highlights the themes of atonement, mediation, and divine presence, which are central to the biblical narrative. The Tabernacle's completion marked the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people, a promise ultimately realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 39:32
Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
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Library

The Tabernacle of God with Men.
... I may dwell among them," (Ex.25:8)"the pattern of which was shown Moses in the mount;
and when completed "the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Ex.40 ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the tabernacle of god with.htm

Chastity the Chief Ornament of the True Tabernacle; Seven
... Consummation of the World Will Be; Even Now the Fabric of the World Completed. ... above
all things, saying that each one should adorn his tabernacle with chastity ...
/.../chapter i chastity the chief ornament.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... FUTURE, WE ASSEMBLE THIS DAY TO LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW TABERNACLE. ... his
ministry till the period of his decease in 1704, having completed thirty-six ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm

Power "In" and "Upon. "
... We find, the very moment that Solomon completed the Temple, when all was finished,
they ... and the glory of God came and just filled the Temple as the Tabernacle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter ii power in and.htm

The Angels with the Seven vials.
... from his power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of
the seven angels were completed." Rev.15 ... "The temple of the tabernacle of the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the angels with the seven.htm

Consecration and Dedication
... Let the death struggle continue until it has completed its work"until you have ... In
the dedication of the tabernacle we have a beautiful type of the dedication ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter iii consecration and dedication.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... into their darkness, seems most fitting, especially as we remember the Jewish legend,
according to which the making of the Tabernacle had been completed on the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

The Day of Atonement
... and two hands full of incense, and, thus laden, passed into the Tabernacle. ... This
completed the part of the ceremonial which belonged immediately to Aaron and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

The Sixth vision "In Heaven"
... and worship before Thee," points to one of the results of completed judgments, realised ...
things I looked, and [315] the Temple (Naos) of the tabernacle of the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision in heaven.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. ... that taketh away the sins of the world,"
was sacrificed but once, and that one sacrifice hath completed his expiatory ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm