The instructions for temple service in the Bible are detailed guidelines given by God to the Israelites, primarily through Moses, for the proper worship and maintenance of the tabernacle and later the temple. These instructions encompass various aspects, including the roles of the priests and Levites, the offerings and sacrifices, and the festivals and holy days.

Priestly Duties and Levite Roles

The tribe of Levi was set apart for the service of the tabernacle, and later the temple, with Aaron and his descendants serving as priests. The Book of Leviticus provides comprehensive instructions for the priests, including their consecration, duties, and the offerings they were to perform. Leviticus 8 describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons, emphasizing the holiness required for those who minister before the Lord.

The Levites, who were not of Aaron's lineage, were assigned various supportive roles. Numbers 3:5-10 outlines their responsibilities, which included assisting the priests, maintaining the tabernacle, and safeguarding its sacred objects. The Levites were also responsible for the music and singing during temple services, as seen in 1 Chronicles 15:16-22.

Sacrifices and Offerings

The sacrificial system was central to the temple service, symbolizing atonement, thanksgiving, and dedication to God. Leviticus chapters 1-7 detail the different types of offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Each type of offering had specific instructions regarding the animals or produce to be used, the manner of presentation, and the portions allocated to the priests.

The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16, was a significant annual event where the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people. This solemn occasion involved specific rituals, including the sacrifice of a bull and a goat, and the release of a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Festivals and Holy Days

The temple service also included the observance of various festivals and holy days, which were times of communal worship and remembrance of God's acts in history. Leviticus 23 outlines these appointed times, including the Sabbath, Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles.

Each festival had its own set of instructions, often involving special sacrifices, assemblies, and rituals. For example, during the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites were commanded to live in temporary shelters to commemorate their ancestors' journey through the wilderness (Leviticus 23:42-43).

Temple Construction and Maintenance

The construction and maintenance of the temple were also governed by divine instructions. The initial blueprint for the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, was given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-31). This detailed plan included specifications for the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, the lampstand, and other sacred furnishings.

When Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem, he followed the divinely inspired plans given to his father, David (1 Chronicles 28:11-19). The temple's construction, described in 1 Kings 6-7, was a monumental task, requiring skilled labor and vast resources. The temple served as the central place of worship for the Israelites, where the prescribed rituals and sacrifices were conducted.

Purity and Holiness

A recurring theme in the instructions for temple service is the emphasis on purity and holiness. The priests were required to adhere to strict purity laws, as outlined in Leviticus 21-22, to maintain their eligibility to serve. The sanctity of the temple and its services was paramount, reflecting God's holiness and the need for His people to approach Him with reverence and obedience.

The instructions for temple service, as recorded in the Old Testament, provided a framework for worship that underscored the covenant relationship between God and Israel. These guidelines were not only about ritual compliance but also about fostering a community centered on the worship of Yahweh, the one true God.