The tabernacle of Moses was the portable tent-like dwelling that the Israelites used for worship during their time in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. It served as the place where God’s presence dwelled among His people before the building of the temple in Jerusalem. The tabernacle was central to Israelite worship and religious life during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. Here is an in-depth look at the Old Testament tabernacle of Moses:
Origin and Purpose of the Tabernacle
After God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through mighty miracles and brought them to Mount Sinai, He gave instructions for building a sanctuary so He could dwell among them (Exodus 25:8). This portable tent structure allowed God’s presence to be right in the middle of the Israelite camp during their journey to the Promised Land. The tabernacle served as the place where the Israelites could come near to God, worship Him, and find atonement for their sins.
The tabernacle was where the sacrifices and offerings mandated by the Law of Moses were carried out by the priests. It housed the Ark of the Covenant which contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded, and a pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The tabernacle was the center of Israel’s religious and national life – where they encountered God’s glory and received guidance from Him.
Construction and Layout of the Tabernacle
The construction and design of the tabernacle was outlined in detail by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-30). It had an outer courtyard and two inner sacred chambers – the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The tabernacle was portable so it could travel with the Israelites on their journey. God gave them detailed specifications for each part of the tabernacle so it could be set up and taken down quickly at each new camp location.
The tabernacle tent was constructed out of wooden frames overlaid with gold, with curtains of linen and goat’s hair. The outer courtyard was surrounded by a fence of linen curtains and had only one entrance on the east side. Inside the courtyard was the bronze altar of burnt offerings and the bronze laver for priestly washing and purification. The tent structure was divided into two rooms by a veil.
The Holy Place housed the golden lampstand to give light, the table for the bread of the Presence, and the golden altar of incense. The inner Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) contained the Ark of the Covenant between two golden cherubim. This was where God’s presence dwelled and where the high priest could only enter once a year on the Day of Atonement.
Furnishings and Contents of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle contained important holy furnishings that were central to Israelite worship:
- The Ark of the Covenant – a gold-covered wooden chest containing the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s staff, and a pot of manna (Exodus 25:10-22). The mercy seat on top of the ark was where God’s presence dwelled.
- Table of Showbread – a wooden table overlaid with gold that held 12 loaves of consecrated bread symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel (Exodus 25:23-30).
- Golden Lampstand – a seven-branched golden lampstand that gave light in the Holy Place (Exodus 25:31-40).
- Altar of Incense – a wooden altar covered in gold where incense was burned twice daily (Exodus 30:1-10).
- Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering – a bronze altar in the courtyard where animal sacrifices were offered (Exodus 27:1-8).
- Bronze Laver – a large bronze basin priests used to wash before approaching the altar (Exodus 30:17-21).
Each furnishing had symbolic as well as practical purpose in Israelite worship. God gave specific instructions for constructing each item and where to place them within the tabernacle.
The Priesthood and the Tabernacle
The Levites were appointed by God to serve at the tabernacle under Aaron and his sons who were the first priests (Exodus 28:1). The priests had the exclusive right to perform the sacrifices, offerings, and rituals associated with the tabernacle. However, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
The priests served as mediators between God and His people. They presented offerings and sacrifices to God on behalf of the Israelites. The various offerings in the tabernacle typified the future sacrifice of Christ on the cross. The priests inspected people for physical uncleanness or leprosy and performed rituals for cleansing.
When the tabernacle was transported and set up, the priests carefully covered all the furnishings and took down the tent structure (Numbers 4:5-15). The Kohathite Levites specifically carried the most sacred furnishings. The priests had to perform rituals of purification and consecration before serving in the tabernacle.
Tabernacle Worship and Ceremonies
The tabernacle was the center of Israelite worship during their wilderness journey. There were several types of offerings and sacrifices God required the Israelites to present in the tabernacle:
- Burnt offerings – an animal sacrifice completely burned on the bronze altar (Leviticus 1). Symbolized full surrender and devotion to God.
- Grain offerings – grain, fine flour, or baked goods offered on the bronze altar (Leviticus 2). Represented dedication of one’s work/livelihood to God.
- Peace offerings – an animal sacrifice where fat was burned on the altar but meat was eaten by priests and offerers (Leviticus 3). Expressed gratitude and fellowship with God.
- Sin offerings – an animal sacrifice made to atone for unintentional sin and restore holiness (Leviticus 4).
- Guilt offerings – an animal sacrifice for sins against holy things or other people (Leviticus 5:14-6:7).
Twice a day the priests offered incense on the golden altar and tended the lamps on the lampstand (Exodus 30:7-8). The Sabbath offerings were doubled (Numbers 28:9-10). Each Sabbath, month, and festival had its own set of additional sacrifices and offerings.
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the most solemn day of tabernacle worship each year (Leviticus 16). The high priest entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for his sins and the people’s. He sprinkled blood from animal sacrifices on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.
The Journey of the Tabernacle
According to the biblical account, the Israelites carried the tabernacle with them throughout their 40 year wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. Wherever they traveled, the tabernacle was constructed so God could be present in their midst (Numbers 1:50-53). When camp was moved, the Levites carried all the furnishings and structural elements.
The Book of Exodus describes the construction, anointing, and consecration of the tabernacle at Mount Sinai (Exodus 35-40). The tabernacle was then at the center of the camp in the wilderness, with the 12 tribes encamped around it based on their order of march (Numbers 2).
Throughout the journey certain events took place at the tabernacle, such as when God appeared in the pillar of cloud over the tabernacle and Miriam was struck with leprosy for criticizing Moses (Numbers 12:5,10). The Israelites learned of God’s commands from the tabernacle and followed the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that rested upon it.
Significant Roles and Meanings of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle was of immense importance to the Israelite nation for the following reasons:
- It was the place where God’s shekinah glory dwelled on earth in the holy of holies (Exodus 40:34).
- It provided a way for sinful people to approach God through sacrifices and offerings (Hebrews 9:1-10).
- It instituted formal priestly worship and mediation between God and His people.
- It was where God gave instructions and spoke to Moses from between the cherubim above the mercy seat (Numbers 7:89).
- It reminded the Israelites of God’s holy presence with them and was a copy of heavenly realities (Hebrews 8:5).
- It instituted a shadow and symbol that pointed to Christ as the final atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1).
The entire tabernacle worship system provided an intricate foreshadowing of Jesus Christ as the perfect high priest and atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 9-10). The tabernacle rituals could not provide permanent forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 10:4). But they pointed ahead to Christ’s sacrifice that would fully deal with sin.
The End of the Tabernacle of Moses
The tabernacle in the wilderness was the center of Israel’s religious life for 40 years of wanderings. After entering Canaan, the tabernacle was set up at Gilgal (Joshua 4:19), Shiloh (Joshua 18:1), and other locations during the time of conquest and division of the land.
During the time of Samuel and King David, the tabernacle was located in high places because the Philistines had captured the ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 4). David later recovered the ark and placed it in Jerusalem in a temporary tent dwelling (2 Samuel 6:17). His son King Solomon finally built a permanent temple in Jerusalem to replace the portable tabernacle (1 Kings 6).
Once the magnificent temple was built as a permanent house for God’s presence on earth, the temporary tabernacle was no longer needed. But it had served a crucial purpose during the wilderness years and time of Israel’s wanderings. The tabernacle gave them a portable worship center where atonement could be made and God’s glory could dwell in their midst.
The tabernacle foreshadowed greater realities that came in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. His death tore the veil that had separated the people from God’s presence, giving access to all who believe in Him as the Lamb of God.
Significance for Christians Today
While the physical tabernacle of Moses is no longer in existence, studying its symbolism and meaning gives us greater insight into God’s redemptive plan. Here are some key truths Christians can take away:
- God desires to dwell among His people and tabernacle with them (Revelation 21:3).
- Christ provided the permanent sacrifice we need for the forgiveness of sins.
- Jesus serves as our great High Priest who intercedes for us.
- We can now boldly approach God’s throne because of Christ’s atoning work (Hebrews 4:16).
- Our bodies are now temples of God’s Spirit who dwells in us (1 Corinthians 6:19).
- We are still called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and righteous living (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15).
While we do not replicate the Old Testament ceremonies and rituals, we can still appreciate the sacredness of approaching God’s presence, the privilege of priestly intercession, and the blessings of God’s Spirit dwelling in His earthly temples – the bodies of believers in Christ.