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The Tabernacle courtyard

The outside of the Tabernacle.
Contributed by Immersive History
1
When the Israelites camped the Tabernacle was assembled in the midst of them with three tribes pitching their tents on each side. To the north were the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali, to the east were Judah, Issachar and Zebulun, to the south were Gad, Simeon and Reuben, and to the West were Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin. <br/>Moses, Aaron and the Priests and Levites camped nearest the Tabernacle. – Slide 1
2
The Tabernacle was pitched facing the east, the position of the sun at sunrise. The courtyard fence, made of white linen, enclosed holy ground, and the priests wore white linen garments. – Slide 2
3
There was only one entrance to the tabernacle called the ‘Gate of the court’. – Slide 3
4
Directly upon entering the outer court you would see the brazen altar (also called the altar of burnt offering). The Israelites made daily sacrifices to God on this altar to atone for their sin (Exodus 29:38). – Slide 4
5
The brazen altar was also called ‘the altar of burnt offerings’ (Exodus 30:28), ‘the altar of God’ (Psalm 43:4), and ‘the altar of the Lord’ (Malachi 2:13). Built from acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, it measured 7.5 feet square by 4.5 feet high. At each of the altar’s four corners was a horn-like projection, made of one piece with the altar. All of the utensils of the altar were made of bronze as well. – Slide 5
6
The Israelites made daily sacrifices to God on the brazen altar (Exodus 29:38). As the first priests began their service at the tabernacle, fire from the presence of the Lord consumed the sacrifice (Leviticus 9:24). According to Leviticus 6:13, the fire of the altar was to be kept burning at all times. – Slide 6
7
The brazen altar was the place to which the people brought their offerings to God, the place at which reconciliation was made for sin and the place on which the parts of the sacrifices which belonged to God were consumed by fire. – Slide 7
8
Only by blood sacrifice was sin atoned. The brazen altar, ever ablaze and covered in blood, always stood open to accept the guilt of any Hebrew person who wished to come near to God. In the case of the sin offering, the blood of the sacrificed animal was smeared upon the horns of the altar. – Slide 8
9
Between the altar and the entrance to the Holy Place was a wash basin called a ‘laver’ This was where the priests had to wash themselves ceremonially so as to be consecrated or set apart for ministry. – Slide 9
10
A curtain covered the entrance to the Holy Place. – Slide 10
11
The Tabernacle was covered by a large white linen cloth composed of ten curtains interwoven with figures of cherubim, in blue, purple, and scarlet (Exodus 26:1, 36:8-13). – Slide 11
12
The second covering over the linen curtain was the goats’ hair curtain. (Exodus 26:7-13; 36:14-18). – Slide 12
13
The third covering was made of ram skins dyed red (Exodus 26:14, 36:19; Numbers 4:25). – Slide 13
14
The fourth and top covering was made of waterproof sea cows’ (manatee or dugong) skins – Exodus 26:14, 36:19). – Slide 14
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Slide 15