The Tabernacle itself was a half-tent, half-wooden structure, about forty five feet long, fifteen feet wide, and fifteen feet high. It was divided into two rooms by a veil which hung down the roof. The larger room was at the east end, and was thirty feet long, while the other room was fifteen feet long.
The walls of the Tabernacle were made of specially prepared boards which stood upright on silver bases, and were completely covered on each side with gold. The east end had no wall of boards, but could be closed by a curtain. The roof was made of four layers of curtains, the inner one forming a beautiful ceiling. The three other curtains were made of ram skins to keep out the rain and the sunshine.
The larger room of the Tabernacle was called the Holy Place. On the right, as one came in from the opening at the east end, there was a table overlaid with gold, and upon the table were twelve loaves of bread. Each loaf of bread was placed there by one of the twelve tribes of Is'ra-el as a sign of complete consecration to the LORD. On the left stood the golden lampstand with seven branches, and on each branch there was a brilliant light. At the west end of the Holy Place, near the veil which separated this room from the smaller one, was a small golden altar of incense. Here offerings of incense were burnt as a symbol of love to the LORD.
The smaller room on the west end of the Tabernacle was called the Holy of Holies. It was within this room that the presence of God was shown in a brilliant halo called the She-ki'nah. The room was furnished with nothing but a wooden chest overlaid with plates of gold and lined with gold, and called the Ark of the Covenant. The lid to this chest was made of solid gold, and had on it two golden ornaments called cherubim. The two stone tablets on which God had written the Ten Commandments were kept in the chest, and later there was added a pot of manna and Aa'ron's wonderful rod which budded. Only the High Priest was allowed to enter this room, and even he could come in only once a year.
The cost of the materials used in making and furnishing the Tabernacle was met by voluntary gifts from the Is'ra-el-ites. As soon as Mo'ses called the people together and told them what a wonderful building the Tabernacle would be, there was a quick, whole-hearted response from all the people. The elders of Is'ra-el informed the people what was needed to carry out the plans which God had revealed to Mo'ses, and they gladly brought in their gifts.
There was no need to urge the Is'ra-el-ites to do their duty in providing the materials that were to be used in making the Tabernacle. God had graciously forgiven them for their idolatry, and now wished them to build for Him a house in which there would be a constant reminder of His presence. Such a sacred cause was reason enough to the Is'ra-el-ites for making generous gifts.
The gifts of the people differed according to their means and skill. Some gave gold and silver, some gave badger skins, while the women spun fine linens, and made beautifully decorated curtains. The rich did not try to excuse themselves by mentioning other demands upon their wealth, nor did the poor refuse to help because they had only a little to give.
In many instances there was voluntary labor in the work of construction. Both men and women used their strength and skill in preparing the materials, or in the actual work of building the Tabernacle. Gifts of love, and services of love filled the hearts of Is'ra-el; truly could they sing:
"But what or who are we, alas!
That we in giving are so free?
Thine own before our offering was,
And all we have, we have from Thee."
