Tabernacle

The Tabernacle of Moses as defined in the Bible, was a portable temple used by the Israelites after the Exodus out of Egypt on their journey through the wilderness.  It was built with the finest cloth and polished gold and silver and bronze.  It always faced East. It was built to specifications given from God to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  The book of Exodus in the bible, gives specific instructions on how the tabernacle was to be built and used.

From what we know, anyone could enter the tabernacle, from children up to the high priests.  They had to pass by a "judge" at the outer gate to state their worthiness to enter.  Once they entered, they would pray, meditate or offer burnt offerings (live animal sacrifices) to God on the alter inside.

Past the alter, was the Laver where the priests and high priests would perform some washing rituals to further cleanse themselves and prepare to enter the Holy Room where further rituals would take place. Also inside the Holy Room, was the Holy of Holies, the most holy spot on earth.  Only the high priests could enter this room.  This room also contained the ark of the covenant where the tablets given to Moses from God were stored, along with other holy items.  

BYU has a full size replica of the Tabernacle set up for the month and we went on a tour.  It looks pretty simple, but even so, there was a lot of symbolism in the tabernacle - from the types of material used to build it, to the alter and to the Holy Rooms.

It was pretty interesting!

These would have been the 4 different types of materials used

The high priest clothes had a breastplate like shown here, with 12 squares each representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Similar symbolism is found on the straps of the breastplate

Here you can see how small the Tabernacle was in relation to Solomon's Temple and later, Herod's Temple.  But remember, the Tabernacle was portable, the other temples were not.

Size comparison continued with modern-day Temples

The south wall, with the Gate (red curtains) where you enter, facing East.

The red/purple color have specific meaning as well....it is thought power and royalty and holiness being the white all around the Tabernacle

Looking in, past the alter, and seeing the Laver and the Holy Room

This is the alter where live animals were sacrificed.  It would have been made of bronze, and the priests performing the sacrifices, would put the blood of the animals on and around the alter during the rituals

This is an interesting perspective, because it is said Herod's Temple, would have been as tall as the building in the background - around 13 stories...gives you an idea of how big it was!

The Laver - bronze, where the priests/high priests would wash and prepare to enter the Holy Room

Looking back towards the Gate

Inside the Holy Room..you can see the curtain dividing the Holy Room from the Holy of Holy's Room has two cherubim, or guardians, guarding the room.  The Ark of the Covenant also has two cherubim on it.

Inside the first room was the menora, the table of showbread, and the incense alter.

Looking back towards the opening

Inside the Holy of Holy's room was the Ark of the Covenant

Outside walls

VIDEO:
Here is a video of another replica:

 HERE is a video of the setup of the Tabernacle at BYU.  The video is on Facebook, but you don't have to be logged in to see it.


We then went to the BYU Planetarium for an evening show.  

Gma and Gpa didn't know I was taking a photo ha ha!  Gpa is looking at his phone and Gma is testing out the reclining chair! 

We had a great Friday evening!!!!