The Wilderness Tabernacle

by Daniel & Michelle Ramsey

In this Israel Photo Blog, we want to share with you a highlight from one of our favorite spots in the Land of Israel, Timnah Park. Located just north of the modern city of Eilat, Timnah Park is home to some ancient copper smelting mines and a host of other significant geological and archaeological wonders.  While the heat in this area during summer months is brutal,  the rugged landscape in this vast desert area is truly breathtaking. Over the years we have enjoyed spending a great deal of time here.

That brings us to our current photo blog. One of the highlights at Timnah Park is what is referred to as the Wilderness tabernacle, set up and operated by a group of Messianic Jews from Israel. This wilderness tabernacle is a scaled replica of the Biblical tabernacle that Moses was instructed by God to have the people of Israel build in the Book of Exodus chapter 25ff. It was in that Tabernacle that God would dwell in the midst of His people during their desert journeys. It was there that the Levites and priests would serve. It was there that the people would bring their sacrifices and offerings to the LORD. The Book of Exodus records that God’s Shekinah glory would dwell in the Holy of Holies. To Israel, His  Presence was seen as a pillar of Cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The Book of Numbers records that when God was ready for the people to journey ahead, the pillar would move and Israel was to follow. This was the case throughout their roughly 40 year journey to the Promised land. In time, this movable Tabernacle would be replaced in Israelite worship with the temple in Jerusalem.

Through the Tabernacle, God made it clear that he desired to dwell among his covenant people. It was a constant reminder that God was in their midst. In the Gospel of John, the author uses the imagery of the tabernacle as he describes Jesus, the Word/Logos, coming into the world. John 1:14 reads, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.” The Greek text here is filled with Exodus imagery. The phrase, “became flesh” is more literally translated as “tabernacled” of “tented”, evoking the imagery of the wilderness tabernacle. The reference to beholding his “glory” is an allusion to the visible glory of God displayed in the tabernacle.  What a powerful way to describe the incarnation! Jesus, the eternal Word took on a physical body two thousand years ago. He tabernacled among man. He displayed the very glory of God in His words and mighty deeds.