The Tabernacle Of Israel Joshua Chapter 18
Shiloh, located northeast of Jerusalem and within the tribal boundary of Ephraim, was destined to play a fateful role in
Israel's history, because of the presence of the Tabernacle in its midst. The entire congregation of Israel gathered at Shiloh
to set up the Tent of Meeting. (Josh 18:1-10)
Until then, the assembly point for the people and the site of the Tabernacle
was Gilgal, just west of the River Jordan and opposite the city of Jericho, where the people of Israel first encamped fourteen
years earlier. At Gilgal, they renewed the rite of circumcision and celebrated their first Passover in the new land.
Before the Tabernacle in Shiloh was erected, sacrifice upon the high places was permitted, and the service was performed
by the firstborn. After the establishment of the Tabernacle, the high places were forbidden and the service was performed
by the priests.
In pre -Tabernacle days, when there was no central sanctuary for the people of Israel, sacrifice to YHVH could be offered
at any location. These so-called "high places" were makeshift altars, typically located upon the top of hills or other elevations,
and the sacrificial service associated with them was informal. Any family could take an active part in the ceremony via their
firstborn who would offer the sacrifices.
The situation changed dramatically with the completion of the Tabernacle,
about a year after the Exodus, during the wilderness sojourn. This Tabernacle ushered in a new period in Israel's spiritual
development, and the sacrificial service was carried out under the rigorous jurisdiction of the priests who descended from
Aaron. This reformation ended the informal and unofficial sacrificial services and unified the tribes, who now rallied around
a single central sanctuary.
After the people left the wilderness and crossed into Canaan, the high places were again
permitted, while the Tabernacle was at Gilgal, and the wars of conquest were being waged. This lasted for a period of 14 years.
The centrality of the Tabernacle was nevertheless preserved by the stipulation that certain sacrifices could only be offered
and consumed within its boundaries.
Establishing The Tabernacle At Shiloh
Eventually, when the Tabernacle moved to Shiloh, the high
places were again forbidden, and the Shiloh sanctuary became the only acceptable venue for the sacrificial service. As the
people planted crops in the new land and harvested the produce of their fields, the practice of the second tithe, (a portion
of the crop, separated every 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th years of the agricultural cycle) was instituted, and the produce was brought
to the Tabernacle, to be consumed there. After 369 years, the sanctuary at Shiloh was destroyed by the Philistines, and a
period of great spiritual instability followed, until the prophet Samuel arose, to guide the people and lay the groundwork
for the establishment of the monarchy. The sanctuary was re-established, first at Nov and later at Gibeon, during this time
(a period of 57 years) and the high places were again permitted. Finally, when King Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem,
the worship upon the high places was discontinued forever.
The Tabernacle At Shiloh
The Shiloh Tabernacle had a ceiling made of curtains, indicating it was a temporary tent-like structure, as described in
the book of Exodus. Hence, the Torah often refers to it as the "Tent of Meeting". (Ex 40:2) Once established at Shiloh, however,
the temporary walls of acacia wood were stored away forever, and the walls of the Tabernacle were built out of stone. The
cover of textiles and skins, however, was retained. Finally, in Jerusalem, the Temple structure was provided with walls of
stone and a sturdy roof of cedars extravagantly covered on the interior with pure gold. (I Kings 6:9,22)
The developments
in the building structure of the Tabernacle paralleled the history of the people of Israel as they experienced growth and
security in their new homeland. It was king David who succeeded in both unifying the tribes and neutralizing their enemies,
eventually founding the national capital in Jerusalem and initiating the process of building the Temple, while Solomon his
son did the actual building of the Temple, on sacred Mount Moriah. The national stability, unity of purpose, security from
external threats and cultural ascendancy, that Israel enjoyed during the period of Solomon's reign, corresponded to the building
of the permanent Temple. Rising above Jerusalem, the Temple told the story of finally achieving stability and unity.
The connection between the Tabernacle and the process of settlement in the Promised Land, reflected the travails and triumphs
of Israel as a nation. As surely as YHVH's presence was among them and His concern was never far removed, the Temple duplicated
their destiny. No wonder that in the Biblical frame of reference, the exile of the nation of Israel from their land and the
promise of their eventual restoration are tied with the destruction of the Temple on the one hand, and the prophetic vision
of its ultimate rebuilding on the other.
Linking The Prophets To The Tabernacle
This period in Israel's history closely followed the chronological
outline of the prophetic books of the Tanach. The book of Joshua is transitional, corresponding to the Tabernacle leaving
the wilderness, arriving at Gilgal and, towards the end of the book, finally arriving at Shiloh, as the settlement begins
in earnest. The events of the book of Judges, full of the painful struggle, take place while the Tabernacle stands at Shiloh
- a more secure place but vulnerable nonetheless. Samuel opens with the Tabernacle's destruction, as uncertain and perilous
time leading to the monarchy, begin to unfold. The events of the book transpire while the Tabernacle is temporally located
first at Nov and then at Gibeon, and the high places enjoy a resurgence, indicating the spiritual uncertainty of the times.
Finally, the Book of Kings details the building of the Temple at Jerusalem, under Solomon's leadership, during which Israel
reached their highest point in their history, (spiritually and materially) until their exile to the rivers of Babylon at the
book's conclusion, when the Temple was razed to the ground.
As Moses prepared to take leave of the people, he exhorted them to follow YHVH's commands and encouraged them to remain
steadfast in their new land:
"Do not do as all of us now do here today, everyone
as he sees fit in his own eyes. For you have not yet arrived at the state of rest and inheritance that YHVH
your Elohim gives to you. You shall traverse the river Jordan and dwell in the land that YHVH causes you to possess, and He
will grant you rest from all of your enemies around, and you shall dwell in security. Then, at the place that YHVH shall choose
to cause His name to dwell there you shall present all that I command you, your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes
and dues, and all of your best vow offerings that you shall promise to YHVH." Deut 8-11
Moses told
them that although the process of settling the land will be drawn out and difficult, one day they will enjoy national peace
and tranquility, and at that time they will build a sanctuary to YHVH and serve Him there. One day they will achieve the state
of rest and inheritance that will be reflected in the establishment of YHVH's Temple.
Significantly, rest is identified with Shiloh, and inheritance, with Jerusalem.
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