The Tabernacle

Religious Studies: KS3, topic 1.1.12

The Tabernacle was the centre of worship for the Jewish people.

On the day the Jewish people expected Moses to return from Mount Sinai, he didn’t show up.
The Israelites worried and decide that they need a new leader that would help them connect to God.
In Egypt, people worshipped idols, so the Israelites decide to build an idol, the Golden Calf, to help them connect with God.
Worshipping idols was banned by the laws that Moses gave them.

Moses came back down from Mount Sinai and saw the idols. He then smashed the Tablets that had the Ten Commandments engraved on them.
His people had failed at an early stage.
Ultimately, God forgives the people and instructs that a Tabernacle (a mobile Temple) is built that would serve as a centre to worship God.
The building would be placed at the centre of the camp so all four sides could see it.
They should be inspired by the commitment of Moses, Jacob, Isaac and Abraham.

When the Tabernacle is built, a cloud descends representing the presence of God.
The cloud stops Moses from entering, but eventually the cloud lifts.
The Torah describes many conversations between God and Moses from the Tabernacle.
At this stage, the relationship between God and the people has been restored. This is a glorious moment in the development of the Jewish people.

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