The Tabernacle of the Wilderness

(continued)

I. THE CONDITIONS OF WORSHIP

The government under which Israel was placed was a theocracy. God was their King, and the twelve tribes formed the priestly kingdom (Ex. 19:6). One of the tribes, Levi, was set apart to the special service of Jehovah; one family of this tribe, Aaron’s, was chosen the priestly family of the nation, and charged with the duties of the priesthood. The priest was to minister before the Lord in behalf of the congregation, and to interpret and teach the law to the people.

By reason of its sinfulness the congregation could draw near to Jehovah only on the ground of an adequate atonement. This supreme want was provided for by a series of sacrifices, which were offered to God through the Mediating agency of the priesthood (Lev. 1-7). A sacred calendar was also provided, which designated the time and seasons when the chosen people in a more solemn manner recognized their covenant relations with the Lord (Lev. 23, 25). One other appointment completed the organization of Israel as a witness of the Lord in the earth, namely, a central place of worship. This the tabernacle was until it gave place to the more permanent house of the Lord, the temple at Jerusalem.

The tabernacle was the first sanctuary built for God at his own command, and it was rendered forever illustrious by his indwelling presence. It is significant that a dozen chapters of the Pentateuch are devoted to a description of its structure and contents, — but hardly two to the creation of the world. Its pattern and the instructions relating to its complicated services were directly communicated to Moses by Jehovah. The material required for its construction were the gifts of a willing-hearted people. The tabernacle and the system of ordinances prefigured greater things to be enjoyed in the dispensation of the grace of God under the gospel. It was an acted parable, designed to instruct the Old Testament saints in God’s plan of redemption. In a shadowy form it foretold the blessings and benefits to be brought to the world by the advent of the Messiah. It preached the gospel. It taught salvation through propitiation, forgiveness through bloodshedding. It disclosed access to God and worship. The holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and the reconciliation which in due time should be affected, are all clearly set forth by the tabernacle and its rites.

Three Tabernacle Titles

Three principal titles are given to the tabernacle. The first is tent (Ex. 26:36). Those who have examined the word closely are of the opinion that it denotes the outer coverings; namely, the curtain of goats’ hair, the rams’ skins dyed red, and the “badgers’ skins.”

The second name is tabernacle (Ex. 25:9), a word that means to settle down, to dwell; hence a dwelling. This title seems to be used in a somewhat indefinite way; for example, for the curtains, for the framework of boards, and for the entire structure. Generally, however, it designates the sacred dwelling of the Lord with all its belongings.

The third name is sanctuary (Ex. 25:8), “And let them make me a sanctuary”, a name never applied to the temple of heathen deities. It denotes specially the holiness of the place of worship, the dwelling of Him who is infinitely holy, and who can tolerate no evil.

Other descriptive titles are given the sanctuary, two of which deserve a brief notice. In the Authorized Version of the Scripture we often find this expression: “the tabernacle of the congregation” (Ex. 29:42, 44, ff.) —a somewhat misleading translation, for it seems to indicate the place of meeting for the children of Israel. The Revised Version renders it, “the tent of meeting”; that is, the place of meeting between God and the people — “where I will meet with you, to speak there unto thee. And there I will meet with the children of Israel” (Ex 29:42, 43). It was at the tabernacle, with its priesthood and sacrifices, that God met with his chosen people, the only place where he could meet with sinners — the place of propitiation and reconciliation.

2. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE TABERNACLE

The tabernacle was a rectangular structure, thirty cubits long and ten wide. The cubit is reckoned at eighteen inches, the measure of a man’s arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Accordingly, it was forty-five feet long, fifteen wide, and fifteen high. It was divided into two rooms, the first being the Holy Place, which contained the Candlestick, Table of Showbread, and Altar of Incense. Behind it was the Most Holy Place, square in form, being fifteen feet every way. The only object in the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant. This room was the Shrine, the dwelling-place of the God of Israel, therefore called “the Holiest of all” (Heb. 9:3). The two rooms were separated by a gorgeous hanging or veil of fine twined linen in blue, purple, and scarlet, and embroidered with cherubic figures.

The frame of the tabernacle was constructed of boards of acacia (“shittim”) wood, a species of locust or thorn with which the Sinai Peninsula abounds. The Septuagint translates the word “shittim” into “incorruptible wood,” probably because it was solid and durable. There were forty-eight such boards, each furnished with two tenons that fitted into two sockets of silver. The Israelites contributed a hundred talents of silver for these sockets as atonement money (Ex. 30:16). So this portable temple rested on silver, which the people paid as their ransom. It was a costly foundation, for about two hundred thousand dollars went into it. Besides, the boards of the framework were overlaid with gold, and gold was used chiefly in the construction of all the furniture of the tabernacle. One estimate of its cost is one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Ten magnificent curtains, wrought of fine linen and beautified with royal colors of blue, purple, and scarlet, interwoven with cherubim in the most skillful manner, formed the ceiling. Three outer coverings of goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins were provided to protect it from the weather. From these exterior covers the name of “tent” seems to be derived. The Revisers have changed “badgers’ skins” into “sealskins”. Whatever animal is meant by the term, whether of the land or sea, it was likely a large creature. Sandals were made of the same skins (Ezek. 16:10: “I have shod thee with badgers’ skin”). Is it possible that the shoes which the Israelites wore during the long wilderness journey, and which so effectively protected them that their feet “did not swell,” were made of these skins?

3. THE TABERNACLE’S POSITION

The tabernacle occupied a central place among the tribes. Whether in the camp or on the march, it was always in the center. The encampment was a hollow square, with three tribes stationed on each of its four sides. The sacred tent was pitched in the center, with its door always facing the east. On the opposite side, to the eastward, was the division of Reuben, which numbered 151,450 soldiers. On the west was the division of Ephraim, 108,100 strong. On the north was the division cf Dan, 157,600 strong. The men of war comprising these four grand divisions of Israel’s army numbered 603,550. (Num. 1). Each division had its own appropriate standard, each tribe and family its own flag. Within the space enclosed by the camp the tabernacle stood, and the tribes faced it on the four sides of the square. Just what the distance was from it to each division is not known; perhaps about a mile. At any rate, the tent was in the center of Israel in the encampment.

In the journeys of the wilderness the tabernacle held a similar position. When the pillar of cloud gave the signal to march (Num. 9:17), Judah was the first to strike his tents and set forth. Then the framework and coverings of the tabernacle, in charge of the sons of Gershon and Merari, followed (Num. 10:17). The second division, that of Reuben, marched next; and the sanctuary, in charge of the Kohathites — followed (Num. .10:21). The other two divisions marched after the sanctuary, with Dan bringing up the rear. Thus the tabernacle was again in the center, six tribes being forward and six in the rear. “God is in the midst of her; she will not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early” (Ps. 46:5). How forceful this language becomes when we remember the central position of the tent of meeting.

A distinguishing feature of the santuary was the Court that surrounded it. This court, or enclosure, was a double square, one hundred and fifty feet long and seventy five feet broad. It was formed by graceful columns standing upright in sockets of brass, the spaces between being filled by hangings of fine twined linen (Ex. 27:9–18). At the east end was the gateway, thirty feet wide and guarded by an immense screen of fine woven linen in blue, purple, and scarlet. Within this enclosure the Levites and the priests were stationed. The Levites, in three divisions (named after the three sons of Levi), occupied the northern, southern, and western sides, while the priests held the place of honor, the east end of the court opposite the door of the sanctuary.

Between the door of the court and the door of the tabernacle stood two objects of great interest. The first was the Altar of Burnt-Offering; the second was the Laver.

Next Month: The Brazen Altar

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