conversing with the Lord on the mountain, had received from Him the clearest and most definite directions[1] regarding divine worship, with all the ceremonies that were to accompany it.
Moses, therefore, built a shrine or Tabernacle (Fig. 27) that could be taken to pieces and carried from place to place. It was a portable[2] tabernacle, or church, as we should call it, and well suited to the wandering life of the children of Israel. It was made of the most precious wood. Its length was thirty, its breadth ten, and its height also ten cubits. The boards were overlaid with plates of gold, and furnished with sockets of silver. It was divided into two parts: the fore part, which was the larger, was called the Sanctuary; the smaller part was called the Holy of Holies. Each part was separated from the other by a curtain worked with great art. Outside and around was a covered court for the people.
- ↑ Directions. God said to him: “They shall make me a sanctuary, and I will dwell in the midst of them. According to all the likeness of the tabernacle which I will shew thee and of all the vessels for the service thereof'’ (Ex 25, 8 — 10). The people were to furnish the materials for it. Accordingly they brought Moses gold, silver, precious stones, and costly stuffs, with which to make the Tabernacle, sacred vessels &c. & c. They brought so much to him that, at last, Moses had to announce to them that he could receive no further gifts. They wished, by this generosity, to make reparation for their act of idolatry, and show their gratitude for the benefits they had received.
- ↑ Portable. It could be partially taken to pieces, and carried. This had to be done, because the Israelites had no fixed dwelling-place, and were always wandering about.
