Faith & Reason Nexus

HereName Variations:

• “The Tabernacle”
• “Tent of Jehovah”
• “The Sanctuary”

Materials for Building:

• etals:
• Gold
• Silver
• Brass
• Fabrics:
• Blue
• Purple
• Scarlet
• Fine white linen
• Wood:
• Shittim wood of the wild acacia desert
• Oil, Spices, and Incense:
• For anointing the priests
• For burning in the Tabernacle

Builders:

• Lead Builder: Bezalel (tribe of Judah)
• Assistant: Aholiab (tribe of Dan)

History:

• Construction: Described in Exodus 35:6 – 40:38
• During Conquest of Canaan: The Ark of the Covenant remained in the camp at Gilgal.
• After Settlement of Israel: The tabernacle was set up at Shiloh.
• Capture of the Ark by Philistines: The tabernacle lost its glory and value.
• Merging with the Temple: Mentioned in 1 Kings 8:4 and 2 Chronicles 5:5.

Outer Court:

• Dimensions: 150′ long x 75′ wide
• Furniture:
• Altar of Burnt Offering:
  • 7.5 feet square, 4.5 feet high
  • Symbolizing Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of the world.
• Brazen Laver:
  • Large basin for priests to wash hands and feet.

Holy Place:

• Dimensions: 30′ long x 15′ wide
• Furniture:
• Table of Shewbread:
  • Holds twelve loaves symbolizing the Lord’s Supper.
• Candlestick:
  • Lamp stand with seven lamps, symbolizing God’s Word.
• Altar of Incense:
  • For burning incense, representing the prayers of God’s people.

Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies):

• Dimensions: 15′ long x 15′ wide
• Furniture:
• Ark of the Covenant:
  • Wooden chest covered in gold with a golden lid (Mercy Seat) and two golden cherubim.
  • Contained:
  • Ten Commandment stones (symbolizing God’s law)
  • Pot of manna (recalling God’s providence)
  • Aaron’s rod that budded (reminder of God’s power among His people).

Veil:

• Curtain symbolizing the separation between Heaven and earth.

Symbolism:

• Outer Court: The World
• Holy Place: The Church
• Most Holy Place: Heaven

General Information about the Tabernacle:

• God’s localized dwelling place in Israel for about 400 years.
• During the conquest of Canaan, the tabernacle remained in Gilgal.
• During the Judges’ period, it stayed at Shiloh.
• During much of David’s reign until Solomon built the temple, it was at Gibeon.
• God provided detailed patterns for the tabernacle on Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 25:9)

Tabernacle Furniture:

1. The Altar of Incense:

• Exodus 30:1-10

1. The Laver of Brass:

• Exodus 30:17-21

1. The Ark of the Covenant:

• Exodus 37:1-9

1. The Table of Shewbread:

• Exodus 37:10-16

1. The Candlestick:

• Exodus 37:17-24

Tabernacle Furnishings

1. The Candlestick:

• Exquisite golden lampstand with seven lamps.
• Provided light for the Holy Place.
• Symbolized God’s Word enlightening the Church. (Psalm 119:105)

2. The Brazen Altar:

• Seven and a half feet square and four and a half feet high.
• Used for burning sacrifices, symbolizing Christ’s sacrifice for sins.

3. The Brazen Laver:

• A large basin for priests to wash their hands and feet before entering the Holy Place.

4. Ark of the Covenant:

• Wooden chest covered with gold and a golden lid (Mercy Seat) with two cherubim.
• Contained the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod, symbolizing God’s law, providence, and power.

5. Table of Shewbread:

• Held twelve loaves of bread symbolizing the Lord’s Supper.
• Placed in the Holy Place.

6. Altar of Incense:

• Used for burning incense, producing sweet-smelling smoke like the prayers of God’s people.
• Located in the Holy Place.

Dimensions:

• Outer Court: 150 x 75
• Tabernacle: 45 x 15
• Most Holy Place: 30 x 15

High Priest:

• Aaron and assisted by his four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Building Details:

• The Israelites provided freewill offerings. (Exodus 35:1-29)
• Construction detailed in Exodus 36:8-40:33.
• The tabernacle was a “likeness,” a “copy,” and a “shadow” of heavenly things. (Hebrews 8:5)