Tabernacle: The Journeys of Israel Regulated by the Cloud On
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The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh used by the Israelites from the time of their exodus from Egypt through their wanderings in the wilderness. Central to the life and worship of the Israelite community, the Tabernacle was not only a place of sacrifice and worship but also a symbol of God's presence among His people.

The Cloud of Guidance

One of the most significant aspects of the Tabernacle was the divine guidance provided by the cloud that rested upon it. This cloud, a visible manifestation of God's presence, played a crucial role in directing the movements of the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. The cloud was a constant reminder of God's leadership and protection.

In the Book of Exodus, the cloud is first introduced as a guide for the Israelites: "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night" (Exodus 13:21). This divine guidance was not only a source of direction but also a reassurance of God's continual presence.

The Cloud and the Tabernacle

The relationship between the cloud and the Tabernacle is further detailed in the Book of Numbers. After the construction of the Tabernacle, the cloud covered it, signifying God's dwelling among His people: "On the day the Tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening until morning, the cloud above the Tabernacle appeared to be fire" (Numbers 9:15). This phenomenon was a daily occurrence, symbolizing the divine presence and the sanctity of the Tabernacle.

Regulation of the Journeys

The cloud's movement was the determining factor for the Israelites' journeys. Numbers 9:17-18 states, "Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out; and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp. At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped." This passage highlights the obedience required of the Israelites, as their travels were entirely dependent on the cloud's movement.

The cloud's presence and movement were not arbitrary but were divinely orchestrated. The Israelites were to remain encamped as long as the cloud rested on the Tabernacle, whether it was for a day, a month, or longer. Numbers 9:22 emphasizes this: "Whether it was two days, a month, or longer, as long as the cloud remained over the Tabernacle, the Israelites camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they would set out."

Significance in Israelite Worship and Life

The cloud's regulation of the Israelites' journeys underscores the centrality of the Tabernacle in their worship and daily life. It was a constant reminder of their dependence on God and His sovereignty over their lives. The cloud's presence was a visible assurance of God's guidance, protection, and provision throughout their wilderness journey.

The Tabernacle, with the cloud above it, served as a focal point for the Israelites, reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people and their commitment to follow His commands. The cloud's role in regulating their journeys was a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to dwell among His people, guiding them to the Promised Land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 40:36,37
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Resources
What was the significance of the bronze laver? | GotQuestions.org

What was the tent of meeting? | GotQuestions.org

Who were Bezalel and Oholiab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Tabernacle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Tabernacle

Tabernacle of Christ

Tabernacle of Testimony Witness

Tabernacle of the Body

Tabernacle of the Church

Tabernacle was a Moveable Tent Suited to the Unsettled Condition of

Tabernacle was Set up by Moses at Mount Sinai

Tabernacle was Set up in Nob

Tabernacle was Set up in Shiloh

Tabernacle was Set Up: At Gilgal

Tabernacle was Set Up: Finally at Gibeon

Tabernacle: (The Holy of Holies) Heaven

Tabernacle: (The Vail) Christ's Body

Tabernacle: (The Vail) the Obscurity of the Mosaic Age

Tabernacle: A Permanent House Substituted For, when the Kingdom Was

Tabernacle: All Males Required to Appear Before, Three Times Each Year

Tabernacle: All offerings to be Made At

Tabernacle: Anointed and Consecrated With Oil

Tabernacle: Anointed With Holy Oil

Tabernacle: Brought to the Temple by Solomon

Tabernacle: Called The: House of the Lord

Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Joseph

Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Shiloh

Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Testimony or Witness

Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Congregation

Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Lord

Tabernacle: Called The: Temple of the Lord

Tabernacle: Carried in Front of the People of Israel in the Line of March

Tabernacle: Causes Tried At

Tabernacle: Completed

Tabernacle: Court of all the Pillars of, Filleted With Silver

Tabernacle: Court of all the Vessels of, Made of Brass

Tabernacle: Court of Contained the Brazen Altar and Laver of Brass

Tabernacle: Court of One Hundred Cubits Long and Fifty Cubits Wide

Tabernacle: Court of Surrounded by Curtains of Fine Line Suspended from Pillars

Tabernacle: Court of The Gate of, a Hanging of Blue, Purple Twenty Cubits

Tabernacle: Coverings of The First or Inner, Ten Curtains of Blue, Purple Joined

Tabernacle: Coverings of The Fourth or Outward of Badgers' Skins

Tabernacle: Coverings of The Second, Eleven Curtains of Goats' Hair

Tabernacle: Coverings of The Third of Rams' Skins Dyed Red

Tabernacle: Dedicated

Tabernacle: Defilement of, Punished

Tabernacle: Description of The Frame

Tabernacle: Designed for Manifestation of God's Presence and for His

Tabernacle: Divided by a Vail of Blue, Purple, Suspended from Four

Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Holy Place

Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Most Holy Place

Tabernacle: Divine Wisdom Given to Bezaleel to Make

Tabernacle: Filled With the Cloud of Glory

Tabernacle: First Reared, on the First Day of the Second Year After The

Tabernacle: Free-Will offerings Made at the Dedication of the Altar of

Tabernacle: Free-Will offerings Made at the First Rearing of

Tabernacle: had a Court Round About

Tabernacle: How and by Whom Carried

Tabernacle: How Prepared for Removal During the Travels of the Israelites

Tabernacle: Israelites Worship At

Tabernacle: Made of the Free-Will offerings of the People

Tabernacle: Materials For, Voluntarily offered

Tabernacle: Moses Was Commanded to Make After a Divine Pattern

Tabernacle: Offerings Brought To

Tabernacle: One Existed Before Moses Received the Pattern Authorized on Mount Sinai

Tabernacle: Pattern of, Revealed to Moses

Tabernacle: Pitched: At Gibeon

Tabernacle: Pitched: At Gilgal

Tabernacle: Pitched: At Nob

Tabernacle: Pitched: At Shiloh

Tabernacle: Punishment for Defiling

Tabernacle: Renewed by David, and Pitched Upon Mount Zion

Tabernacle: Sanctified

Tabernacle: Sanctified by the Glory of the Lord

Tabernacle: Solomon offers Sacrifice At

Tabernacle: Sprinkled and Purified With Blood

Tabernacle: Sprinkled With Blood

Tabernacle: Strangers (Foreigners) Forbidden to Enter

Tabernacle: Symbol of Spiritual Things

Tabernacle: Tabernacle Tax

Tabernacle: The Ark and Mercy-Seat Put in the Most Holy Place

Tabernacle: The Boards of had Each Two Tenons Fitted Into Sockets of Silver

Tabernacle: The Boards of Made of Shittim Wood

Tabernacle: The Boards of Six, and Two Corner Boards for West Side

Tabernacle: The Boards of Supported by Bars of Shittim Wood Resting in Rings of Gold

Tabernacle: The Boards of Ten Cubits High by One and a Half Broad

Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on North Side

Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on South Side

Tabernacle: The Boards of With the Bars, Covered With Gold

Tabernacle: The Cloud of Glory Rested On, by Night and Day During Its

Tabernacle: The Courtyard of

Tabernacle: The Curtains of

Tabernacle: The Door of, a Curtain of Blue and Purple Suspended by Gold

Tabernacle: The Furniture of

Tabernacle: The Holy Place of

Tabernacle: The Journeys of Israel Regulated by the Cloud On

Tabernacle: The Levites: Appointed Over, and had Charge of

Tabernacle: The Levites: Carried

Tabernacle: The Levites: did the Inferior Service of

Tabernacle: The Levites: Pitched Their Tents Around

Tabernacle: The Levites: Took Down, and Put Up

Tabernacle: The Lord Appeared In, Over the Mercy-Seat

Tabernacle: The Lord Reveals Himself At

Tabernacle: The Most Holy Place

Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called of Testimony

Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: House of the Lord

Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Sanctuary

Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tabernacle (A. V.), Tent (R. V.)

Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tabernacle (A. V.), Tent of Meeting (R. V.)

Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Temple of the Lord

Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tent of Testimony (R. V.)

Tabernacle: The Outer Covering

Tabernacle: The Priests were the Ministers of

Tabernacle: The Priests: Alone Could Enter

Tabernacle: The Priests: Performed all Services In

Tabernacle: The Second Covering

Tabernacle: The Table of Show-Bread, the Golden Candlestick, and The

Tabernacle: Tribes Encamped Around, While in the Wilderness

Tabernacle: Value of the Substance Contributed For

Tabernacle: Workmen Who Constructed It Were Inspired

Related Terms

Tabernacle's (2 Occurrences)

Tabernacle-door (2 Occurrences)

Frames (47 Occurrences)

Boards (50 Occurrences)

Rear (46 Occurrences)

Bars (50 Occurrences)

Furnishings (22 Occurrences)

Laver (13 Occurrences)

Curtains (34 Occurrences)

Pitched (101 Occurrences)

Clasps (7 Occurrences)

Screen (26 Occurrences)

Westward (35 Occurrences)

Encamp (108 Occurrences)

Encamped (115 Occurrences)

Socket (5 Occurrences)

Bullock (95 Occurrences)

Courtyard (59 Occurrences)

Instruments (136 Occurrences)

Furniture (24 Occurrences)

Reared (22 Occurrences)

Erected (26 Occurrences)

Southward (42 Occurrences)

Merari (38 Occurrences)

Journeyed (111 Occurrences)

Sides (170 Occurrences)

Duties (46 Occurrences)

Hinder (47 Occurrences)

Hanging (82 Occurrences)

Taches (7 Occurrences)

Tenon

Tabernacled (6 Occurrences)

Merarites (7 Occurrences)

Pegs (22 Occurrences)

Pins (12 Occurrences)

Crossbars (8 Occurrences)

Holies (23 Occurrences)

Gershonites (17 Occurrences)

Badger (9 Occurrences)

Pitch (25 Occurrences)

Sockets (44 Occurrences)

Acacia (28 Occurrences)

Posts (68 Occurrences)

West (110 Occurrences)

Vail (44 Occurrences)

Skins (27 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Ithamar (20 Occurrences)

Ropes (32 Occurrences)

Entereth (40 Occurrences)

Candlestick (34 Occurrences)

Buttons (7 Occurrences)

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)

Utensils (72 Occurrences)

Pillars (132 Occurrences)

Hangings (23 Occurrences)

Surrounding (78 Occurrences)

Gershon (23 Occurrences)

Curtain (60 Occurrences)

North (164 Occurrences)

Setteth (116 Occurrences)

Cords (80 Occurrences)

Veil (67 Occurrences)

Ephraim (168 Occurrences)

Staves (50 Occurrences)

Shittim (34 Occurrences)

Material (61 Occurrences)

Pattern (28 Occurrences)

Entrance (190 Occurrences)

Loop

Layman (9 Occurrences)

Levite (43 Occurrences)

Goats'

Finely (27 Occurrences)

Twined (25 Occurrences)

Tent-door (6 Occurrences)

Raising (29 Occurrences)

Requirements (26 Occurrences)

Encamping (24 Occurrences)

Tabernacle: The Holy Place of
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