Sanctuary Studies Part 1: Background to the Tabernacle in the Wilderness

In this lesson we describe and discuss the events leading up to the construction of the original sanctuary, the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. Our main passage is Exodus chapters 23 through 27. These chapters take us from Israel’s covenant responsibilities at Mount Sinai, through the confirmation of the covenant, to God’s detailed instructions for His sanctuary.

As we proceed, we will answer five questions: Who were the people involved, and what were they doing at the time? Why was the Tabernacle constructed? Who specified its design and materials? Where did the materials come from? And who constructed it?