Tents & Tabernacles

The Presence of God

Shekinah Glory

The EXODUS

Three Main Themes of ExodusJourney

Covenant

GOD’s Special Presence - The Tent

God Reveals Himself in the Tent-of- Meeting

• Key event for the Post Exile people

• God tells Moses “ Build the TENT “

• Consecration of the Tent / Corresponds to first commandment

• YHWH enters and fills the tent of meeting/ God speaks out of the Fire

Israel Key Moment

• God Accompanies Israel

• God will be a God of Forgiveness and Mercy• Exodus 34:6-7

• This Tent event is the Renewal of the Covenant

• YHWH Resides in the midst of His People Exodus 40:34-35

• YHWH can Accompany & Guide Israel Exodus 40:36-38

YHWH Organizes the people in relation to Divine Presence. HE is in the cloud !

The Israelites act willingly ; Their HEARTS are stirred and their spirit is willing! Exodus 35:21

Symbols and Images

• The CLOUD rested upon the Tent- Shakham the sign of YHWH presence

• The Pillar of FIRE leads / Glory filled the Tabernacle - Mishcan

• YHWH prepares the Way/ A Blessed Assurance

Shekinah-the dwelling or divine settling presence

• The connection of GOD to his people is readily perceivable

• The Tent-of –Meeting – God came down to dwell with His people

• TRANSFORMATIONAL spirit of God regarded as the source of Prophecy

Tabernacle Design

• Seven speeches of YHWH to Moses Ex:25-31

• Seven Days of Creation

• Worship of God in Tabernacle a way to participate in Divine creational work

• God recreates a sanctuary for Israel

TENT=TABERNACLE is portable dwelling place for the Divine

• Pentateuch has more verses on Tabernacle than any other object

• Exodus mentions tent of meeting more than 30 times

• The tent is the Holy of Holies the Tabernacle

• Tabernacle provides a defense against idolatry example : golden calf

At the Tent

• Moses and YHWH speak face to face Ex :32-34

• Moses put veil on his face after being in Divine presence/ several Veils in the tent

• Glowing face indicated direct contact with God

Specifications for Tabernacle Compound

• Court Yard- outer shrine

• Twelve Tribes of Israel

• Levites : protect tabernacle holiness Nm 1:52-53

Inner Shrine – Most HolyLocus of Gods Presence

• Golden Lamp stand-Menorah- Temple LAMP• Table for Showbread• Altar of Incense- Torah is read here• Sacrificial Altar• Washstand• Sacred vestments• Anointing Oil• NO longer is Gods presence restricted to mountain

tops !

Gods Presence is Memorableexpressed by Tent and Tabernacle

• Echoed in the prologue of Johns Gospel; John 1:14

• “And the WORD became flesh and pitched his tent in our midst “ The special Presence of God is Jesus the Messiah !

• The Image and Experience of the TENT is etched in my Memory . Encountering the Tabernacle :

• As a Child- Joy / Play• As a Teenager –Camping /Journey/ Adventure/• As a young Adult –Special presence of God/Relationship• As a young Family-Protection /Provision/Life• As a Servant Father-Promise /Life/ Salvation• As a People- Gods People/ Holy Roman Catholic “ Big Tent “God still SPEAKS to

His People