The Story of Patriarchs and Prophets
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 30: The Tabernacle and Its Services
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In the first apartment, or holy place, were the table of
showbread, the candlestick, or lampstand, and the altar of incense.
The table of showbread stood on the north. With its
ornamental crown, it was overlaid with pure gold. On this table
the priests were each Sabbath to place twelve cakes, arranged in
two piles, and sprinkled with frankincense. The loaves that were
removed, being accounted holy, were to be eaten by the priests.
On the south was the seven-branched candlestick, with its seven
lamps. Its branches were ornamented with exquisitely wrought
flowers, resembling lilies, and the whole was made from one
solid piece of gold. There being no windows in the tabernacle,
the lamps were never all extinguished at one time, but shed
their light by day and by night. Just before the veil separating
the holy place from the most holy and the immediate presence
of God, stood the golden altar of incense. Upon this altar the
priest was to burn incense every morning and evening; its horns
were touched with the blood of the sin offering, and it was
sprinkled with blood upon the great Day of Atonement. The
fire upon this altar was kindled by God Himself and was sacredly
cherished. Day and night the holy incense diffused its fragrance
throughout the sacred apartments, and without, far around the
tabernacle.
Beyond the inner veil was the holy of holies, where centered
the symbolic service of atonement and intercession, and which
formed the connecting link between heaven and earth. In this
apartment was the ark, a chest of acacia wood, overlaid within and
without with gold, and having a crown of gold about the top. It
was made as a depository for the tables of stone, upon which
God Himself had inscribed the Ten Commandments. Hence it
was called the ark of God's testament, or the ark of the covenant,
since the Ten Commandments were the basis of the covenant
made between God and Israel.
The cover of the sacred chest was called the mercy seat. This
was wrought of one solid piece of gold, and was surmounted by
golden cherubim, one standing on each end. One wing of each
angel was stretched forth on high, while the other was folded
over the body (see Ezekiel 1:11) in token of reverence and
humility. The position of the cherubim, with their faces turned [p. 349] toward each other, and looking reverently downward toward
the ark, represented the reverence with which the heavenly host
regard the law of God and their interest in the plan of
redemption.
Above the mercy seat was the Shekinah, the manifestation of
the divine Presence; and from between the cherubim, God made
known His will. Divine messages were sometimes communicated
to the high priest by a voice from the cloud. Sometimes a light
fell upon the angel at the right, to signify approval or acceptance,
or a shadow or cloud rested upon the one at the left to reveal
disapproval or rejection.
The law of God, enshrined within the ark, was the great rule
of righteousness and judgment. That law pronounced death upon
the transgressor; but above the law was the mercy seat, upon
which the presence of God was revealed, and from which, by
virtue of the atonement, pardon was granted to the repentant
sinner. Thus in the work of Christ for our redemption,
symbolized by the sanctuary service, "mercy and truth are met
together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm
85:10.
No language can describe the glory of the scene presented
within the sanctuary—the gold-plated walls reflecting the light
from the golden candlestick, the brilliant hues of the richly
embroidered curtains with their shining angels, the table, and
the altar of incense, glittering with gold; beyond the second veil
the sacred ark, with its mystic cherubim, and above it the holy
Shekinah, the visible manifestation of Jehovah's presence; all but
a dim reflection of the glories of the temple of God in heaven,
the great center of the work for man's redemption.
A period of about half a year was occupied in the building of
the tabernacle. When it was completed, Moses examined all the
work of the builders, comparing it with the pattern shown him
in the mount and the directions he had received from God.
"As the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and
Moses blessed them." With eager interest the multitudes of Israel
crowded around to look upon the sacred structure. While they
were contemplating the scene with reverent satisfaction, the pillar
of cloud floated over the sanctuary and, descending, enveloped
it. "And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." There was
a revealing of the divine majesty, and for a time even Moses could [p. 350] not enter. With deep emotion the people beheld the token that
the work of their hands was accepted. There were no loud
demonstrations of rejoicing. A solemn awe rested upon all. But
the gladness of their hearts welled up in tears of joy, and they
murmured low, earnest words of gratitude that God had
condescended to abide with them.
By divine direction the tribe of Levi was set apart for the
service of the sanctuary. In the earliest times every man was the
priest of his own household. In the days of Abraham the priesthood
was regarded as the birthright of the eldest son. Now, instead
of the first-born of all Israel, the Lord accepted the tribe
of Levi for the work of the sanctuary. By this signal honor He
manifested His approval of their fidelity, both in adhering to
His service and in executing His judgments when Israel apostatized
in the worship of the golden calf. The priesthood, however,
was restricted to the family of Aaron. Aaron and his sons alone
were permitted to minister before the Lord; the rest of the tribe
were entrusted with the charge of the tabernacle and its furniture,
and they were to attend upon the priests in their ministration,
but they were not to sacrifice, to burn incense, or to see the holy
things till they were covered.
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