Glory Fills the Tabernacle

God's house set up in the middle of the wilderness

Mount Sinai · 1445 BC · Ex 40:1–38

Story

In the middle of the tent village below Mount Sinai, Moses began to set up the tabernacle. It was the first day of the first month, in the second year after they had left Egypt. One by one the silver bases were laid on the sand, and on them the gold-covered frames rose upright. He fitted the crossbars, raised the posts and spread the coverings over the top, and there in the middle of the windblown camp the house of God took shape.

Moses placed the tablets of the testimony in the ark, slid the poles into place and covered it with the atonement cover. He brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the curtain to screen it. He set the table for the bread, the lampstand and the gold altar of incense in their places, and in the courtyard the altar of burnt offering and the basin. Down to raising the hangings around the courtyard and hanging the curtain at its gate, he finished everything just as the Lord had commanded.

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Not even Moses could go inside. From that day on, whenever the cloud lifted from the tabernacle, the people packed up and set out, and whenever the cloud stayed, they stayed where they were. By day the cloud rested over the tabernacle, and by night fire burned within it, and all Israel saw it, every step of the way.

God's Words

On the first day of the first month, set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.

Dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and set him apart, so that he may serve me as priest.

The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Ex 40:1–38

Background

Pause and Reflect