The journey of the Israelites through the desert to Mount Sinai marks a pivotal chapter in biblical history, characterized by divine guidance, covenantal revelations, and the establishment of worship practices that would define the Israelite community. This period is documented primarily in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and it encompasses the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the giving of the Law, and the construction of the Tabernacle.

Arrival at Mount Sinai

After the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the defeat of the Egyptian army, the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, guided by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). Their arrival at Mount Sinai, approximately three months after leaving Egypt, is a significant event where God establishes His covenant with Israel. At Sinai, God calls Moses to ascend the mountain, where He delivers the Ten Commandments and other laws that would govern the nation (Exodus 19-20).

The Covenant and the Law

At Mount Sinai, God establishes a covenant with the Israelites, declaring them to be His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). The giving of the Law, including the Ten Commandments, forms the foundation of Israelite society and religious practice. The Law is not merely a set of rules but a comprehensive guide for living in a way that reflects God's holiness and justice.

Construction of the Tabernacle

One of the most significant developments at Mount Sinai is the instruction to build the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that would serve as the dwelling place of God among His people. The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction are found in Exodus 25-31. The Tabernacle is to be a place where God meets with Moses and the Israelites, symbolizing His presence and guiding them on their journey.

The materials for the Tabernacle are provided by the Israelites, who willingly offer gold, silver, bronze, fine linens, and other materials (Exodus 35:21-29). Skilled artisans, led by Bezalel and Oholiab, are appointed to oversee the construction (Exodus 31:1-11). The Tabernacle's design includes the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, the Altar of Incense, and the Altar of Burnt Offering, each with specific symbolic significance.

The Tabernacle Set Up

The completion and setting up of the Tabernacle occur on the first day of the first month in the second year after the Israelites' departure from Egypt (Exodus 40:17). Moses oversees the assembly of the Tabernacle, following the Lord's instructions precisely. Once erected, the glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle, signifying God's approval and His presence among His people (Exodus 40:34-35).

The Tabernacle becomes the center of Israelite worship and the focal point of their community life. It is here that sacrifices are offered, and the priesthood, led by Aaron and his sons, begins its ministry. The Tabernacle serves as a constant reminder of God's covenant and His desire to dwell among His people, guiding them through the wilderness and into the Promised Land.

Significance

The setting up of the Tabernacle at Mount Sinai is a foundational moment in the history of Israel. It represents the establishment of a formal worship system and the tangible presence of God with His people. The Tabernacle's construction and the laws given at Sinai underscore the themes of holiness, obedience, and the centrality of God's presence in the life of the Israelite community.Exodus 40:1-38
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Following the Cloud.
... that the heavenly Father provided for his children through all the years of their
journey from Egypt ... A company of the Elders of Israel went up and saw the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

Exodus
... they began their journey to Sinai"a journey which revealed ... the fathers knew the God
of Israel only by ... as in Genesis, J reveals the divine through the natural ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... not so, but would go three days' journey in desert ... And the children of Israel had
passed through the middle ... words that thou shalt say to the children of Israel. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

The First Book
... since even those who had sinned only through thoughtlessness were ... at the weariness
and toil of the journey, and were ... smote down the chosen men of Israel." [108 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

The Israelites
... Harran, the first stage on his journey, bore a ... of 'Ain Qadis the forces of Israel
grew and ... Aqaba; skirting Edom accordingly, they marched through a waterless ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Pentateuch.
... third epoch begins with the second arrival of Israel at Kadesh ... refusal of Edom to
allow a passage through his territory, the wearisome journey of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

A Jealous God
... Journey where you will, you behold the dilapidated temples ... Joshua said to the children
of Israel when they ... do all things," without adding "through Christ which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... mercy to His people, and has redeemed Israel, and has ... I saw a very devout man journeying
through the Holy ... He received this revelation on his journey to Mount ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... accomplished the greater part of their journey in territories ... the Shausu in the very
heart of the desert. The road ran through wide wadys, tolerably well ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... the new creation Zion shall be sanctified, and through it shall ... the notion of the
superiority of Israel, the author ... even by speaking of taking a journey, or of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

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