“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving Faithfulness.” (Psalm 69:13 ESV)
1st United Methodist Church, Rome NY
The Tabernacle
„The non-permanent, worship home of the Israelites. It was basically a portable tent that could be set up anywhere that the Israelites traveled on their way to the Promised Land.
„There were most definitely specific dimensions given for the Tabernacle (Exodus goes into great detail twice on its specifications) and it was to be a place that mirrored Heaven and where Yahweh could dwell in the midst of his people.
„There were most definitely specific dimensions given for the Tabernacle (Exodus goes into great detail twice on its specifications) and it was to be a place that mirrored Heaven and where Yahweh could dwell in the midst of his people.
Exodus 25:1-9
Yahweh was ready to give Moses the blue prints for the Tabernacle and the people would need to make contributions in order to get the process started.
Verse 8 is very important because here we are given the reason for the making of the Tabernacle.
And let them make me a sanctuary--- that I may dwell in their midst.
Hint: this is what all churches should strive for. Become that earthly place that allows Yahweh to dwell in your midst.
Verse 8 is very important because here we are given the reason for the making of the Tabernacle.
And let them make me a sanctuary--- that I may dwell in their midst.
Hint: this is what all churches should strive for. Become that earthly place that allows Yahweh to dwell in your midst.
Exodus 25:10- 31:11 (you do not need to read these chapters, we merely skimmed the surface)
Initial Plan„
The Tabernacle consisted of 3 parts: The Holy of Holies (or Most Holy Place), the Holy Place, and the Courtyard.
„The Holy of Holies is where Yahweh would dwell, the Holy Place is where priests would sacrifice offerings, and the courts are where the generalized worship would happen.
„Up on the mountain Yahweh gives Moses the exact measurements for everything that is going to be associated with the Tabernacle. Here is the order that Yahweh and Moses talk about it:
„Ark of the Covenant, Table for bread, Lamp-stand, Tabernacle, Bronze Altar, Tabernacle Court, Priestly Garments, Incense Altar, Bronze Basin
The Tabernacle consisted of 3 parts: The Holy of Holies (or Most Holy Place), the Holy Place, and the Courtyard.
„The Holy of Holies is where Yahweh would dwell, the Holy Place is where priests would sacrifice offerings, and the courts are where the generalized worship would happen.
„Up on the mountain Yahweh gives Moses the exact measurements for everything that is going to be associated with the Tabernacle. Here is the order that Yahweh and Moses talk about it:
„Ark of the Covenant, Table for bread, Lamp-stand, Tabernacle, Bronze Altar, Tabernacle Court, Priestly Garments, Incense Altar, Bronze Basin
Exodus 31:18-32:35
The Golden Calf
Did anyone catch the part about the Ten Commandments being written with the very finger of Yahweh?
When it comes to the golden calf the bottom line is that Moses is gone for 40 days and the people start worshiping a gold cow.
Moses came down the mountain and was so angry that he threw the Ten Commandments on the ground, ground the cow into dust, and made the people drink it.
The reason that the sons of Levi are sent through the camp to kill with the sword is to once again show the people the sacrifice that comes with disobeying Yahweh.
Did anyone catch the part about the Ten Commandments being written with the very finger of Yahweh?
When it comes to the golden calf the bottom line is that Moses is gone for 40 days and the people start worshiping a gold cow.
Moses came down the mountain and was so angry that he threw the Ten Commandments on the ground, ground the cow into dust, and made the people drink it.
The reason that the sons of Levi are sent through the camp to kill with the sword is to once again show the people the sacrifice that comes with disobeying Yahweh.
Exodus 33:1-34:35
The Lord gives the people the command to leave but he says he can’t follow them because of their sin.
In the section that it talks about Yahweh meeting with Moses outside the camp we read the verse “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” (33:11)
Moses goes back up on the mountain, sees the glory of God, stays there for 40 days and fasts. During that time he rewrites the tablets.
When Moses returned to the people his face shown with the very glory of God.
In the section that it talks about Yahweh meeting with Moses outside the camp we read the verse “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” (33:11)
Moses goes back up on the mountain, sees the glory of God, stays there for 40 days and fasts. During that time he rewrites the tablets.
When Moses returned to the people his face shown with the very glory of God.
Exodus 35:1- 40:38 (once again, we didn't read over this section in the service)
Before the Golden Calf
Ark of the Covenant Table for bread Lamp-stand Tabernacle Bronze Altar Tabernacle Court Priestly Garments Incense Altar Bronze Basin |
After the Golden Calf
Tabernacle Ark of the Covenant Table for bread Lamp-stand Incense Altar Bronze Altar Bronze Basin Tabernacle Court Priestly Garments |
The Tabernacle Made
The biggest and most noticeable difference from before the calf and after is that Yahweh told Moses to make the Ark of the Covenant first (i.e. he wanted to be close to the people)
After the calf the first thing that is actually built is the tent of the tabernacle itself (i.e. the thing that separated the people from Yahweh)
This is how Exodus ends:
“ Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.
But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up.
For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” (Exodus 40:34-38)
After the calf the first thing that is actually built is the tent of the tabernacle itself (i.e. the thing that separated the people from Yahweh)
This is how Exodus ends:
“ Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.
But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up.
For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” (Exodus 40:34-38)