‘History and Significance of The Sacred Tabernacle of The Hebrews.’
Book Review
(And the word is Hebrew, not Jew)
BY EDWARD E. ATWATER, PUBLISHED, 1875, IN NEW YORK BY DODD, MEAD AND CO. AND IS PLACED IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Imagine if you can the tents of two million people pitched around a Hollow SQUARE; each division containing 3 tribes of Israel, and they were pitched there for 3/4 of one year.
In this hollow square the Tabernacle was erected, and it faced the east, and in the Court surrounding it was the brazen laver for the ablutions of the priests, and the great altar of burnt offering on which the fire was perpetually maintained.
In this great encampment the Tabernacle was the most important, but what was this edifice? Whence came it? For what purpose was it erected? Fifty days after the Exodus from Egypt, Moses received on Mount Sinai the two tablets of stone on which YAHWEH had inscribed the 10 Commandments. At the same time he received the instructions to build a Tabernacle with minute instructions as to form, measure and material. Immediately a corps of Artisans skilled in various kinds of work came forth and were placed under the supervision of Bezaleel of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab of the tribe of Dan next to him in authority. After much practice in Egypt their skills were well developed, thus now led by the spirit of YAHWEH the workmen accomplished this building in 9 months. After the Tabernacle was built then the specified area was enclosed, and the altar and the laver then the specified area was enclosed, and the furniture for the two apartments of the Tabernacle were placed.
It was just one year to the day since the Israelites left Egypt on the 14th., day of the first month of that year. Before this a tent had taken the place of this building which now was covered with the cloud and the appearance of fire by night. When this covering was in place the Israelites rested in their tents.
Now; the sanctuary was completed and it was dedicated through a ceremony lasting 12 days, each tribe came offering sacrifice at their appointed time.