The Tabernacle of Meeting, also known simply as the Tabernacle, is a central element in the religious life of the Israelites as described in the Old Testament. It served as the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh (God) among the people of Israel from the time of the Exodus until the building of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. The Tabernacle is detailed extensively in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Biblical Description and Construction

The instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle are given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 25-31. God commands Moses to build the Tabernacle according to the specific pattern shown to him, emphasizing the importance of following divine instructions precisely. Exodus 25:8-9 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I will show you—the design of the Tabernacle as well as the design of all its furnishings."

The Tabernacle was constructed using materials contributed by the Israelites, including gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and acacia wood. It consisted of several key components:

1. The Outer Court: Enclosed by a fence of linen curtains, the outer court contained the Bronze Altar for burnt offerings and the Bronze Basin for ceremonial washing.

2. The Holy Place: This section housed the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand (Menorah), and the Altar of Incense. It was separated from the Most Holy Place by a veil.

3. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies): The innermost part of the Tabernacle, it contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna. The Ark was covered by the Mercy Seat, where God's presence was said to dwell.

Function and Significance

The Tabernacle served as the focal point of Israelite worship and the place where God met with His people. It was the center of sacrificial offerings and the location where the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16).

The presence of God in the Tabernacle was manifested by the cloud that covered it by day and the fire that appeared by night, as described in Exodus 40:34-38 : "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle."

Theological Implications

The Tabernacle is rich in theological symbolism. It represents God's desire to dwell among His people and foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the true Tabernacle. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The Greek word for "dwelling" is "σκηνόω" (skenoo), which is related to the word for "tabernacle."

The Tabernacle also illustrates the holiness of God and the need for atonement and mediation. The sacrificial system and the role of the high priest point to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ and His role as our High Priest, as elaborated in the book of Hebrews.

Historical Context and Legacy

The Tabernacle accompanied the Israelites throughout their wilderness journey and into the Promised Land. It was eventually replaced by the Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem, which continued the function of being the central place of worship and sacrifice.

The concept of the Tabernacle continues to hold significance in Christian theology as a precursor to the incarnation of Christ and the establishment of the Church as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.