What was the Israelites' tent of meeting?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The "tent of meeting," a mobile tabernacle built during Israel's forty-year wilderness journey, was designed by God and constructed under the leadership of Bezalel and Oholiab. This sacred space, assembled and maintained by the Levites, highlighted God's desire to dwell among His people and be accessible to them. In the New Testament, Hebrews contrasts this tent with Christ's ultimate sacrifice, showing Jesus as the perfect High Priest who secures eternal redemption. This fulfillment emphasizes God's intimate commitment to be near us, now realized through Jesus Christ. Reflecting on this, we are reminded of God's ongoing desire to be present in our lives, encouraging a deep and personal relationship with Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The "tent of meeting" is another name used for the Jewish tabernacle that was built as a place of worship for the people of Israel during their forty-year wilderness journey after leaving Egypt ("tabernacle" means tent). The design or pattern for this tent of meeting was given to Moses by the Lord on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25—27).
• The Lord specifically identified the two men who were to lead the team that would build the tent of meeting: "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship … And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan" (Exodus 31:2–3, 6). These gifted men led many others who constructed the tent of meeting using contributed materials from the community of Israel.
• The tabernacle functioned as a mobile house of worship. Its parts could be assembled and disassembled by the Levites and moved as needed during their journey. God detailed its construction and its maintenance: "But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle" (Numbers 1:50).
• In its courtyard, the priests, beginning with Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28—29), offered animal sacrifices as atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 1—7; 16). Inside, in the Holy of Holies, the ark of the covenant sat as the base for the presence of God (Numbers 7:89).
• After the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, the tabernacle was set up at Gilgal (Joshua 4:19). It was later moved to Shiloh (Joshua 18:1), where Joshua's tribe lived, and remained there during the next three hundred years as judges ruled Israel.
• During the time of King Saul, the tent of meeting was moved to Nob before being returned to Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39).
• Upon completion of the temple, Solomon had the tabernacle brought to the temple mount (1 Kings 8:4), and the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies inside the temple. The tent of meeting is not mentioned in the Old Testament after this time, and it is unclear what happened to it. Interestingly, Jewish synagogues are often modeled on the outline of the original tent of meeting.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In the New Testament book of Hebrews, the tent of meeting is used to illustrate the differences between the law of Moses and the atonement of Christ. Hebrews 9:11–12 says, "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Israelites’ tent of meeting is a powerful image of God’s desire to dwell among His people and provide a way for them to approach Him. This meeting space, meticulously designed and constructed according to God's instructions, served as a constant reminder of God’s presence and accessibility. God's choice to reside in a portable tabernacle during the Israelites' wilderness journey highlights His commitment to be near His people, no matter their circumstances. This intimate desire is fulfilled in an even greater way through Jesus Christ, who embodies God’s presence with us and secures our eternal relationship with Him. Reflecting on this, we are reminded that God’s ultimate desire is to be with us through every aspect of life, inviting us to cultivate a deep and personal relationship with Him.

UNDERSTAND

• The tabernacle was a divinely designed place of worship.
• The tent of meeting functioned as a portable worship space, maintained and transported by the Levites during the Israelites' wilderness journey and later replaced by the construction of the temple.
• In the New Testament, the tent of meeting symbolizes Jesus securing eternal redemption through His sacrificial blood.

REFLECT

• How does understanding that God dwelt among the Israelites in the tent of meeting influence your understanding of His desire to be near you today?
• Reflect on Jesus' fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among us. How does this impact your approach to worship and your daily interactions with others?
• Reflect on Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell among His people. How does this truth shape your perspective on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and its relevance to your daily spiritual walk?

ENGAGE

• John 1:1 and 1:14 say that Jesus "tabernacled" with us. This connects to the Old Testament tabernacle, symbolizing God's desire to dwell among His people. Jesus' incarnation is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise, bringing His presence directly to us to be able to have a personal and intimate relationship with God.
• What lessons can we learn from the meticulous design and construction of the tent of meeting about how we should approach our relationship with God?
• What does the construction of the tent of meeting and its replacement with the temple reveal about God and His plan of redemption?