The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was a central place of worship and divine encounter for the Israelites during their wilderness journey and until the construction of Solomon's Temple. It served as the dwelling place of God among His people and was the focal point for religious rites and ceremonies as prescribed in the Mosaic Law.

Biblical Foundation

The instructions for the construction and service of the Tent of Meeting are detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle as a sanctuary so that He might dwell among the Israelites (Exodus 25:8). The design and furnishings of the Tabernacle were revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai, and the construction was carried out with meticulous care according to divine specifications (Exodus 25-31, 35-40).

Priestly Duties

The service at the Tent of Meeting was primarily conducted by the Levitical priesthood, a tribe set apart for the sacred duties of worship and sacrifice. Aaron and his sons were appointed as the first priests, with Aaron serving as the high priest (Exodus 28:1). The priests were responsible for offering sacrifices, maintaining the sacred fire, and performing various rituals to atone for the sins of the people and to maintain the holiness of the sanctuary.

The high priest had unique responsibilities, including entering the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for himself and the people (Leviticus 16:2-34). The high priest wore special garments, including the ephod, breastplate, and turban, which symbolized his role as mediator between God and Israel (Exodus 28:4-39).

Levitical Support

The Levites, who were not priests, assisted in the service of the Tent of Meeting by performing tasks such as setting up and taking down the Tabernacle, transporting it during the Israelites' journeys, and guarding its perimeter (Numbers 1:50-53). They were divided into three main families—Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites—each with specific duties related to the care and transport of the Tabernacle's components (Numbers 3:25-37).

Sacrificial System

Central to the service at the Tent of Meeting was the sacrificial system, which included burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings (Leviticus 1-7). These sacrifices were a means of worship, thanksgiving, and atonement, symbolizing the people's devotion to God and their need for purification from sin.

The altar of burnt offering, located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle, was the primary site for these sacrifices (Exodus 27:1-8). The priests were responsible for ensuring that the offerings were made according to the prescribed rituals, which included the sprinkling of blood, burning of portions of the sacrifice, and the consumption of certain parts by the priests.

Symbolism and Significance

The Tent of Meeting was a tangible representation of God's presence among His people and a foreshadowing of the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity through Jesus Christ. The rituals and sacrifices performed there pointed to the need for holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the provision of atonement through a mediator.

The service at the Tent of Meeting underscored the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing obedience, reverence, and the centrality of worship in the life of the community. It served as a constant reminder of God's holiness and His desire to dwell with His people, setting the stage for the fulfillment of these themes in the New Testament.