In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1

The world is a mess. It is impossible to imagine anything as being perfect in every way. At one time, it was. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit enjoyed perfect fellowship among themselves. To extend their fellowship, they created heavenly spiritual beings. Earth was created. God would soon invite mankind to join them too. 

Then, something happened. Something terrible. Rebellion broke out. God’s perfect home and His heavenly family were torn apart.

Original Tabernacle 

God wants relationships with what He has created. Space is needed for that to occur. Picture the family home. Bedrooms are attached to the kitchen and gathering places for the entire family. The original family home was the tabernacle in heaven. There, God enjoyed the fellowship of His heavenly family, the spiritual beings He created. 

According to Ezekiel 28:11-19, one of the spiritual beings, today known as Satan, rebelled against his Creator. He and his co-conspirators were cast out of heaven to earth below. Satan destroyed the original perfection and family in residence at God’s heavenly tabernacle.

Garden of Eden    

Perfection was also the original condition of Earth. On the sixth day, after all of God’s other creative work was completed, He made man in His own image. Male and female. The man was created first and placed in a beautiful garden called Eden. When everything was ready for her, God fashioned a woman. The three of them experienced perfection in a new earthly tabernacle (Genesis 2). We don’t know how long Adam, Eve, and the Lord dwelt together in the Garden of Eden. Sadly, Satan’s temptation led the first couple to defile their home, as recorded in Genesis 3. God exiled Adam and Eve from His earthly tabernacle. The sin cycle first experienced in heaven was repeated. It wouldn’t be the last time. 

Fast Forward to Mt. Sinai

Mankind repeatedly turned its back on the outstretched hand of its Creator. Time and time again, God offered Himself as the home sinners had run away from. 

In Genesis 12, the Lord initiated a new work. Through Abraham and the eventual creation of a new people, a singular nation, God would provide a way home for all the nation’s people.

Instructions for building God’s new home on earth signaled the lengths He goes to be resident among His people. Imagine. God took up residence on earth! Amidst all of the pain, suffering, perversion, subjugation, destruction, and death, God made His declaration. Come to Me; I AM HERE!

Wilderness Tabernacle 

God gave detailed instructions to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle on Mt. Sinai. They are recorded in Exodus 25-32. Skilled artisans were identified to complete the work. 

Furniture for the Tabernacle was made for the two rooms. In the Holy Place were the Menorah, Altar of Incense, and Table of Showbread. In the second room, the Holy of Holies, was the Ark of the Covenant.

Outside in the courtyard was the sacrificial altar and the basin where the priests ceremonially washed.

The Dedication   

When all was completed and put in place, Moses assembled Aaron and his sons at the Tabernacles entrance. He anointed them with oil to serve as priests from generation to generation. The Ten Commandments were placed in the Ark of the Covenant. Poles were attached, and the priests carried it into the Holy of Holies.

A cloud, the visible manifestation of God’s presence, covered the Tabernacle. The glory of the Lord filled the Holy of Holies. Whenever the cloud moved, the people followed it. Wherever it remained, the people set up camp around the Tabernacle. All the Chosen people had to do was look toward the tent in the middle of camp to know if God was at home among them.