Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites, a sacred space where the divine presence was manifest. It was a central element of Israelite worship and community life, symbolizing God's covenant and holiness. The sanctity of the Tabernacle was of utmost importance, and any defilement of this holy place was met with severe consequences, as outlined in the Scriptures.Biblical Foundation The concept of the Tabernacle's sanctity is rooted in the instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. God provided detailed commands regarding the construction, maintenance, and use of the Tabernacle, emphasizing its holiness. In Exodus 25:8-9 , God instructs, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the Tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings." Defilement and Its Consequences The holiness of the Tabernacle required that it be kept pure and undefiled. Any act of defilement was considered a grave offense against God. Leviticus 15:31 warns, "You must keep the Israelites separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die by defiling My tabernacle that is among them." This underscores the seriousness with which God viewed the purity of His dwelling place. Specific Instances and Punishments 1. Unauthorized Access and Offerings: The sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, provide a poignant example of the consequences of defiling the Tabernacle through unauthorized actions. In Leviticus 10:1-2 , they offered "unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command." As a result, "fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." This incident highlights the severe punishment for failing to adhere to God's specific instructions regarding worship and offerings. 2. Uncleanliness and Ritual Impurity: The laws in Leviticus also address the issue of ritual impurity and its impact on the Tabernacle. Leviticus 16:16 states, "In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been." The Day of Atonement rituals were instituted to cleanse the Tabernacle from the defilement caused by the sins and impurities of the people. 3. Rebellion and Desecration: The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Numbers 16 serves as another example of the consequences of defiling the sacred space. Their challenge to the authority of Moses and Aaron was seen as an affront to God's established order. As a result, the earth opened up and swallowed them, and fire consumed 250 men offering incense, as recorded in Numbers 16:31-35 . Theological Implications The punishment for defiling the Tabernacle underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of maintaining purity in worship. It reflects the broader biblical theme that God is holy and requires His people to approach Him with reverence and obedience. The Tabernacle served as a constant reminder of God's presence and the need for holiness in the community of faith. Conclusion The biblical narrative surrounding the Tabernacle and the consequences of its defilement serves as a powerful reminder of the sanctity of God's dwelling place and the seriousness with which He regards holiness. The punishments meted out for defiling the Tabernacle highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands and the reverence due to His holy presence. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 15:31Thus shall you separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 19:13 Library The vision His Past Work. The Controversy Ended. The Controversy Ended The Greatness of the Soul, Letter cxxx. To Demetrias. Light for them that Sit in Darkness; Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ... The Saints' Privilege and Profit; A Treatise of the Fear of God; Resources What was the tabernacle of David? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org What were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | GotQuestions.org Tabernacle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Tabernacle of Testimony Witness Tabernacle was a Moveable Tent Suited to the Unsettled Condition of Tabernacle was Set up by Moses at Mount Sinai Tabernacle was Set up in Shiloh Tabernacle was Set Up: At Gilgal Tabernacle was Set Up: Finally at Gibeon Tabernacle: (The Holy of Holies) Heaven Tabernacle: (The Vail) Christ's Body Tabernacle: (The Vail) the Obscurity of the Mosaic Age Tabernacle: A Permanent House Substituted For, when the Kingdom Was Tabernacle: All Males Required to Appear Before, Three Times Each Year Tabernacle: All offerings to be Made At Tabernacle: Anointed and Consecrated With Oil Tabernacle: Anointed With Holy Oil Tabernacle: Brought to the Temple by Solomon Tabernacle: Called The: House of the Lord Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Joseph Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Shiloh Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Testimony or Witness Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Congregation Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Lord Tabernacle: Called The: Temple of the Lord Tabernacle: Carried in Front of the People of Israel in the Line of March Tabernacle: Court of all the Pillars of, Filleted With Silver Tabernacle: Court of all the Vessels of, Made of Brass Tabernacle: Court of Contained the Brazen Altar and Laver of Brass Tabernacle: Court of One Hundred Cubits Long and Fifty Cubits Wide Tabernacle: Court of Surrounded by Curtains of Fine Line Suspended from Pillars Tabernacle: Court of The Gate of, a Hanging of Blue, Purple Twenty Cubits Tabernacle: Coverings of The First or Inner, Ten Curtains of Blue, Purple Joined Tabernacle: Coverings of The Fourth or Outward of Badgers' Skins Tabernacle: Coverings of The Second, Eleven Curtains of Goats' Hair Tabernacle: Coverings of The Third of Rams' Skins Dyed Red Tabernacle: Defilement of, Punished Tabernacle: Description of The Frame Tabernacle: Designed for Manifestation of God's Presence and for His Tabernacle: Divided by a Vail of Blue, Purple, Suspended from Four Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Holy Place Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Most Holy Place Tabernacle: Divine Wisdom Given to Bezaleel to Make Tabernacle: Filled With the Cloud of Glory Tabernacle: First Reared, on the First Day of the Second Year After The Tabernacle: Free-Will offerings Made at the Dedication of the Altar of Tabernacle: Free-Will offerings Made at the First Rearing of Tabernacle: had a Court Round About Tabernacle: How and by Whom Carried Tabernacle: How Prepared for Removal During the Travels of the Israelites Tabernacle: Israelites Worship At Tabernacle: Made of the Free-Will offerings of the People Tabernacle: Materials For, Voluntarily offered Tabernacle: Moses Was Commanded to Make After a Divine Pattern Tabernacle: Offerings Brought To Tabernacle: One Existed Before Moses Received the Pattern Authorized on Mount Sinai Tabernacle: Pattern of, Revealed to Moses Tabernacle: Pitched: At Gibeon Tabernacle: Pitched: At Gilgal Tabernacle: Pitched: At Shiloh Tabernacle: Punishment for Defiling Tabernacle: Renewed by David, and Pitched Upon Mount Zion Tabernacle: Sanctified by the Glory of the Lord Tabernacle: Solomon offers Sacrifice At Tabernacle: Sprinkled and Purified With Blood Tabernacle: Sprinkled With Blood Tabernacle: Strangers (Foreigners) Forbidden to Enter Tabernacle: Symbol of Spiritual Things Tabernacle: The Ark and Mercy-Seat Put in the Most Holy Place Tabernacle: The Boards of had Each Two Tenons Fitted Into Sockets of Silver Tabernacle: The Boards of Made of Shittim Wood Tabernacle: The Boards of Six, and Two Corner Boards for West Side Tabernacle: The Boards of Supported by Bars of Shittim Wood Resting in Rings of Gold Tabernacle: The Boards of Ten Cubits High by One and a Half Broad Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on North Side Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on South Side Tabernacle: The Boards of With the Bars, Covered With Gold Tabernacle: The Cloud of Glory Rested On, by Night and Day During Its Tabernacle: The Door of, a Curtain of Blue and Purple Suspended by Gold Tabernacle: The Journeys of Israel Regulated by the Cloud On Tabernacle: The Levites: Appointed Over, and had Charge of Tabernacle: The Levites: Carried Tabernacle: The Levites: did the Inferior Service of Tabernacle: The Levites: Pitched Their Tents Around Tabernacle: The Levites: Took Down, and Put Up Tabernacle: The Lord Appeared In, Over the Mercy-Seat Tabernacle: The Lord Reveals Himself At Tabernacle: The Most Holy Place Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called of Testimony Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: House of the Lord Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Sanctuary Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tabernacle (A. V.), Tent (R. V.) Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tabernacle (A. V.), Tent of Meeting (R. V.) Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Temple of the Lord Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tent of Testimony (R. V.) Tabernacle: The Outer Covering Tabernacle: The Priests were the Ministers of Tabernacle: The Priests: Alone Could Enter Tabernacle: The Priests: Performed all Services In Tabernacle: The Second Covering Tabernacle: The Table of Show-Bread, the Golden Candlestick, and The Tabernacle: Tribes Encamped Around, While in the Wilderness Tabernacle: Value of the Substance Contributed For Tabernacle: Workmen Who Constructed It Were Inspired Related Terms |
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