The Journey

The Journey

Introduction

In this Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explores the fascinating journey of the Mishkan, or tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that God instructed the Israelites to build. He highlights that God provided Moses with a specific pattern, which is likened to a blueprint, for its construction. This concept of a divine blueprint reappears later in scripture when David provides his son Solomon with the plans for building the temple, stating that the Spirit had given him the pattern. Even Ezekiel's vision of the future temple includes the idea of measuring its pattern, reinforcing the significance of God's design. The Hebrew word for this pattern is tavneet.

The Mishkan served as God's dwelling place among the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. Following the incident with the spies who brought back a discouraging report, God determined that the current generation would not enter the Promised Land. It was approximately seventy years later, under the leadership of Joshua, that the people finally crossed the Jordan River. Joshua 4:19 records that they crossed on the tenth day of the first month and encamped at Gilgal, on the eastern border of Jericho. Here, Joshua assumed leadership, and after the events involving Rahab and the spies, the Israelites, carrying the tabernacle, God's portable house, established their first camp in Canaan, the Promised Land.

The Mishkan in Shiloh

From Gilgal, the tabernacle was moved to Shiloh, a location where it remained for a significant period. According to the Talmud in Zevakim 118, it is believed that the Mishkan stayed in Shiloh for fourteen years. However, other rabbinic traditions suggest an even longer duration, possibly 369 years. During this time, an interesting development seems to have occurred regarding the nature of the Mishkan's structure. While it began as a tent-like structure made of fabric, references in 1 Samuel begin to describe it as a house. For instance, 1 Samuel 1:24 mentions Hannah bringing her young son Samuel to "the house of the Lord in Shiloh." This contrasts with earlier descriptions that refer to it as a tabernacle (Mishkan) or a tent (Ohel or Ohel Moed, the tent of meeting), as seen in 1 Samuel 2:22.

The use of the word "house" (bait in Hebrew) raises questions about whether the structure in Shiloh evolved over its long presence there. By the time of Eli and Samuel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 3:2, the sanctuary is also referred to as the temple of the Lord (hekal). This apparent shift in terminology led early Jewish sages to consider the possibility that the Mishkan in Shiloh may have been more permanent than its initial design suggested. The Mishnah in Zevakim 14:6 proposes that in Shiloh, the Mishkan had walls, possibly made of stone, and doors, although it still had the canopy covering it, as a Mishkan was required to have. This suggests a transition from a purely portable tent to a more established, though not fully permanent, structure.

The Ark's Capture and Journey

A pivotal event in the Mishkan's history was the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines. This occurred during a battle where the Israelites, facing defeat, made the ill-conceived decision to bring the Ark from Shiloh into the battle, believing its presence would guarantee them victory. However, as Matthew Vander Els emphasizes, using God's presence for one's own agenda never ends well. Despite the Ark being brought into their camp, the Israelites suffered a significant defeat, losing approximately 4,000 men, and the Ark of the Covenant, the very throne of God, was taken by the Philistines.

The news of the Ark's capture reached Shiloh, causing great distress, especially to Eli, the high priest, who was ninety-eight years old. Upon hearing that the Ark was taken and that his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, had been killed, Eli fell from his seat and died. Eli's daughter-in-law, Phinehas's wife, upon hearing the devastating news, went into labor and died after giving birth to a son whom she named Ichabod, meaning "The glory has departed from Israel," because the Ark of God had been captured.

The Mishkan Separated from the Ark

The scriptures do not explicitly detail what happened to the Mishkan in Shiloh after the Ark's capture. However, based on Jewish commentary and certain biblical passages, it is believed that Shiloh was likely destroyed. Jeremiah 7:12-14 records God's warning to the people, referencing what He did to Shiloh because of Israel's wickedness and suggesting a similar fate could befall the temple in Jerusalem. Psalm 78:59-60 also speaks of God's wrath and forsaking His dwelling at Shiloh.

David's Desire to Build a Temple

Once David had established his kingdom and experienced peace from his enemies, he expressed his desire to build a permanent house for the Lord. As recorded in 2 Samuel 7:2, David told Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent." Nathan initially encouraged David to follow his heart, but God subsequently spoke to Nathan with a different message. God reminded David that He had been content dwelling in a tent for centuries and declared that He would first establish a house (dynasty) for David. God promised that an offspring of David would arise and establish a kingdom forever, and this offspring would build a house for God's name.

Application for Everyday Life

• Just as the Mishkan faced being torn down and moved from place to place, we may experience times when our lives feel disrupted and uncertain.
• The periods when the Ark was separated from the Mishkan can remind us of times when we may feel distant from God's presence.
• However, the ultimate establishment of God's glory in the temple in Jerusalem assures us that God has a plan and a destination for our lives, even when our journey seems complicated and filled with difficulties.
• We are not defined by our current circumstances or past mistakes, but by where God is taking us.
• As believers, we are likened to temples of the Holy Spirit, and our lives should reflect the glory of God, just as the temple was meant to be a place where God's name was exalted.

Conclusion

The story of the Mishkan is a testament to God's faithfulness and His ultimate plan to establish His presence among His people in a permanent way. Despite the difficulties and detours along the way, God ensured that the Mishkan reached its intended destination, paving the way for the temple in Jerusalem, a central place for His name to be known and honored by all nations. Similarly, in our own lives, we can trust that God is guiding our journey, and even through trials, He is leading us toward His intended purpose for us.

For more Bible Teachings, click the link.

References

• Joshua 4:19
• 1 Samuel 1:24
• Talmud
• Mishnah

Teaching by Matthew Vander Els of Founded in Truth Fellowship.

Note: This article contains affiliate links.