Mapping Overview
God instructed the Israelites to build the Tabernacle in the Wilderness according to a certain pattern, and then organized the tribes in relation to the Tabernacle. I believe He was teaching them organizational structure for future nationhood, for one thing. He was teaching them precepts of teamwork, how to protect each others’ backs, and all manner of social customs.
The Israelites were descendants of Jacob. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, and this is how the nation of Israel got its name.
Jacob had 12 sons and 1 daughter. The tribes of Israel were named after their founders, the sons of Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph and Benjamin. Since Abraham formally adopted Ephraim and Manassah, the sons of Joseph, as his own sons, there was no tribe of Joseph. His two sons, Manassah and Ephraim, were the founders of the two half-tribes.
This made 13 tribes. However, the Bible speaks of 12 tribes that inherited the promised land. How can this be reconciled?
God’s instructions for apportionment of the Promised Land can be found in the book of Joshua. There, we find that God disallowed the tribe of Levi from receiving an inheritance in the Promised
Land. The tribe of Levi had been chosen by God to be the caretakers of the Tabernacle. Of the Levites, Aaron and his sons, were chosen to be the priests. As priests and ministers, the Levites were not allowed an inheritance in the promised land. Their inheritance was the offerings and sacrifices they received from the 12 tribes, and in specific cities which were set aside as cities of refuge.
The Origin of the Tabernacle
The Israelites were on the move from the time that they were liberated from Egypt until the time that they entered the promised land. Even after they entered the promised land, they were caught up in the business of warfare in order to take the land from the Canaanites and others who inhabited the land.
During the 40 years that the Israelites were camped in the wilderness, God gave Moses the plan and pattern for the Tabernacle. All of the instructions were very specific and required skilled artisans to do the intricate work. The Israelites were allowed to donate their own jewelry, gold, silver, fine cloth and other goods to create the Tabernacle so that all had a part in it.
The Location of the Tabernacle
God also gave very specific instructions as to how the 12 tribes plus the Levites were to be organized when they set up camp. The Tabernacle was to be located in the center of the Israelite encampment with certain tribes located on each of the four sides. The Tabernacle was a constant reminder that they were set apart as God’s chosen people.
Although it was centrally located, the Tabernacle was also isolated. There was only one way to enter. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus. He said,
6 …I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
God also gave very specific instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle. Was the Tabernacle actually a physical representation of the Tabernacle in Heaven? If so, then every part of the pattern that God gave to Moses was for a specific purpose. Even today, there can be divine revelation about something that was chronicled and happened thousands of years ago.
Below is an artist’s rendition of what the Tabernacle may have looked like. In this exercise, I will be attempting to build the Tabernacle, one scripture at a time. I’m not sure how long it will take or what will be found at the end, but I know that God always blesses study.
Blessings your way,
Chandra Lynne
