God gave the Israelites the Law which included theTen Commandments and the civil laws. Together they formed the covenant between them; and with that, the Israelites became a nation under God.  God spoke the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Hebrew people in Exodus 20. Now he called Moses to come up on the mountain and receive the commandments on stone tablets. Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights. “ Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” Exodus 24: 16-18 NKJV

After God gave them the covenant at Sinai, He knew the people needed a way to communicate with Him through proper worship.   The Tabernacle temple would be a symbol of His dwelling place with the Israelites while they were traveling to their promised land; and it had to be something that was easily carried from place to place.  The tabernacle foreshadowed Christ who would “dwell” among His people.  John 1: 14

“The tabernacle (Ex.25:9) was referred to by several names: sanctuary, meaning a sacred place (Ex. 25:8); tent (Ex. 26:7, 11-14, 36), because of the tent like structure; Tent of Meeting (Ex. 27:21), signifying its structure and purpose; and tabernacle of the Testimony (Num. 9:15), meaning the place where the two tablets of the Law (Ex 31;18) were kept in the ark – the most holy place!”  The Bible Knowledge Commentary p 146

Beginning in Exodus 25, God gave Moses the design and exact specifications for the tabernacle and its furnishings. I would have started with the tabernacle itself, since it was the biggest part and would require so much time to make; for example to just starting with making the threads and getting the exact wood to be used.

But God never makes a mistake and He started with the Ark. This would be His dwelling place and the most prominent furnishing in the tabernacle. It was known as the “Ark of the Covenant” because the stones with the Ten Commandments were kept inside of it.  Read Exodus 25:10-22   I hope you do enjoy reading God’s important details!

“Every major form and fuction of the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem, pointed to the coming of Israel’s Messiah and His roles of Prophet, Priest, King, Sage and Suffering Servant. Exodus 35-40”  The Jeremiah Study Bible page 74  How exciting is that!!

I will be telling you about a part of the tabernacle and it’s furnishings each day. My heart is so excited about every detail God gave Moses!  Anyone who has ever sewn, done wood working, cooked or anything that required special attention to detail should feel the importance of each word God spoke!  I was told in a Bible Study that God gave the Israelites the talent to perform the special task they were asked to accomplish.  That makes sense to me as how would they have known about it otherwise?

Here is what God told them to make: the ark, the table for the showbread, the lampstand, each piece of the tabernacle, the alter of burnt offerings, the laven or basin used for washing, the alter of incense and the garments of the priests!  I can’t wait to begin!!