Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, holds a significant place in the history of Israel as the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh among the Israelites. It was constructed according to divine specifications given to Moses on Mount Sinai and served as the center of worship and sacrifice during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.Divine Instructions and Construction The instructions for building the Tabernacle are detailed in the Book of Exodus, chapters 25 through 31. God commanded Moses, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). The Tabernacle was to be a sacred space, meticulously crafted with materials such as gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and acacia wood, symbolizing the holiness and majesty of God. The structure consisted of the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). The Most Holy Place housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. The Ark was the focal point of God's presence, with the mercy seat serving as His earthly throne. Sanctification by the Glory of the Lord The sanctification of the Tabernacle was a pivotal event, marking it as a holy dwelling for the presence of God. After the completion of the Tabernacle, Moses set it up according to the Lord's command. Exodus 40:34-35 describes the moment of consecration: "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." This manifestation of divine glory, often referred to as the Shekinah, signified God's approval and His dwelling among His people. The cloud by day and the fire by night over the Tabernacle served as a constant reminder of God's guidance and protection throughout their journey. The Role of the Tabernacle in Worship The Tabernacle was the center of Israelite worship and sacrificial rites. It was here that the priests, led by Aaron and his descendants, performed their sacred duties. The sacrificial system, including burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings, was conducted in accordance with the laws given in Leviticus. These sacrifices were a means of atonement and communion with God, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle also served as a place of revelation and communication between God and His people. It was here that Moses would speak with God "face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:11), receiving guidance and commandments for the nation of Israel. Symbolism and Typology The Tabernacle is rich in symbolism and typology, pointing to the greater realities fulfilled in the New Testament. The materials, design, and rituals associated with the Tabernacle prefigure the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Book of Hebrews elaborates on this, explaining that Christ is the true High Priest and the mediator of a new covenant, entering the heavenly sanctuary once for all by His own blood (Hebrews 9:11-12). The Tabernacle's role as a dwelling place for God's presence among His people finds its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of Christ, as described in John 1:14 : "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." In summary, the Tabernacle, sanctified by the glory of the Lord, served as a vital component of Israel's religious life, embodying the presence, holiness, and redemptive plan of God. Its significance extends beyond its historical context, offering profound insights into the nature of divine worship and the foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 29:43And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 40:34 Numbers 9:15 Library Whether the Blessed virgin was Sanctified Before Animation? Consecration and Dedication Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling. Sanctified by the Truth. The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture. January 10 Evening Psalm XXIX. Prayer after Communion. Psalm XXX. Mount Zion. 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 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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 |