The tabernacle became the center of worship in Israel since it is the place where the presence of God resided. After God had given the Law (Exodus 19:1-24:18; Leviticus), the instructions for building the tabernacle were given in Exodus 25:1-31:18. The tabernacle was constructed almost one year following Israel’s exodus from Egypt (Exodus 35:1-40:38) and now it was time to dedicate it. The tabernacle was unique because it did not have a permanent location, but would be taken down and reconstructed each time Israel moved from on encampment to another. Since the tabernacle and its’ furnishings were considered holy, the Israelites were commanded to handle the construction, transport, and reconstruction very carefully; in fact, God had already assigned the sons of Levi and his descendants certain items to be responsible for in the transport of the tabernacle (Numbers 4). The people of Israel had given offerings to construct the tabernacle (Exodus 35:4-29), but now they would begin bringing offerings to anoint and consecrate it (7:1). The leaders of the twelve tribes brought six covered carts and twelve oxen (7:2-3). The offerings were accepted by Moses and to be used by the Levites in transporting the tabernacle and the furnishings (7:4-6). Two carts and four oxen were given to the Gershonites (7:7). Four carts and eight oxen were given to the Merarites (7:8). More carts and oxen were provided to the Merarites because the items they were carrying were heavier. No carts or oxen were given to the Kohathites because they were to carry the holy items on their shoulders (7:9; see also Numbers 4:15). Each of the twelve tribal leaders then brought a dedication offering for the altar (7:10-11). For the next twelve days, each tribal leader would come and make his offering for the altar. Every leader gave identical offerings over the span of twelve days and the details for each offering are listed in Numbers 7:18-83. Each leader gave the following items as a dedication offering: “…one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirtyshekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering; one kid of the goats as a sin offering; and as the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year.” A total of all the offerings is given is detailed in Numbers 7:84-88. After this was completed, “Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him” (Numbers 8:89, NKJV). The fact that God spoke with Moses in the tabernacle’s most holy place shows that He is pleased with the offerings of Israel.
The Lord then instructed Moses regarding the arrangement of the golden lampstand and the lighting of its’ seven lamps (8:1-4). Details concerning the construction and completion of the golden lampstand can be found in Exodus 25:32-40 and Exodus 37:17-24. The Lord also commanded that Moses cleanse and dedicate the Levites because of their involvement in assisting the people in worshiping God (Numbers 8:5-26). The Levites would need to go through a special cleansing ceremony (8:6-7) and have offerings made on their behalf (8:8-19). The dedication of the Levites would set them apart for priestly duties in the tabernacle. When this dedication of the Levites was complete, they went into the tabernacle to begin their work (8:20-22). They were able to begin serving in the tabernacle at the age of 25, but could not serve after the age of 50. After the age of 50 they could return to assist the younger Levites, but were not permitted to do the work by themselves (8:25-26). This would ensure that those serving in the tabernacle would be serving during the best time of their life. These two chapters are a wonderful example of everyone working together for the purpose of giving their worship to God, the One who had delivered them from bondage and guiding them to a new land.
Dear God, may Your people work together in order to bring You glory.
