Before God gave Moses the instructions for the Tabernacle, there was already one being used called the “Tent of Meeting” in Exodus 33:7-11:^“ Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.  And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent.  As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses.  Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.  The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” NIV

I can just picture this in my mind! I know this can be confusing because God gave Moses the instruction for starting the Tabernacle in Exodus 25; so how can I say that the Tent of Meeting was “before” when it is talked about in Exodus 33? First of all, I have learned that the Bible is not written in chronological order! That was a big discovery for me!  I have read the Bible in chronological order and am amazed how clear it becomes to me!  So, maybe that’s what happened here.  But, I have to admit (with a silly grin on my face), that I got that information from the Nave’s Topical Bible under: Tabernacle!

“TABERNACLE: One existed before Moses received the pattern authorized on Mount Sinai, Ex. 33:7-11. The one instituted by Moses was called SANCTUARY, Ex.25:8…..” Nave’s Topical Bible

There were two rooms in the Tabernacle Sanctuary building.  The first room, on the East side was called the “Holy Place”.  The priests would enter the Sanctuary by the entrance door curtain into the Holy Place.  In this room were the “Lampstand”, the “Showbread Table” and the “Golden Incense Alter”.

The inner room was the “Holy of Holies”, where only the “High Priest” was permitted to enter, once a year.  This was where God’s presence of glory over the Ark of the Covenant appeared.  These rooms were separated by “The Veil”.

The Sanctuary building was made from acacia wooden “Boards and Bars” overlaid with gold.  There were four coverings over the Sanctuary:  a “Cherubim Embroidered Covering”; then a covering of “Ram’s skin dyed red”; next woven “Goat’s Hair covering”; and finally the “Outer Covering.”

My goal is to describe each of these pieces in as much detail as I can find. I hope you will join me for the journey!