A Place To Worship

A Place to Worship

Q: What was the name of the place where the Israelites went to worship?

• a. the church
• b. the Tabernacle
• c. the tent

During the last few days, we’ve learned that the book of Exodus is about the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. On their journey, they built a place they could go to worship God. This place was called the Tabernacle. It was very important to the Israelites.

There are different kinds of church buildings today. Some churches are made of wood, and others are made of brick. Some have stained-glass windows; others have clear windows. Some churches have a cross on top; others have a bell. What a church looks like isn’t as important as what the church is used for—worshiping God.

The Tabernacle that Moses and the people worshiped in was a mobile tent with portable furniture. God gave instructions for how it should be made, and it traveled with the people on their journey to the Promised Land.

The Tabernacle was a symbol that God was with his people. A cloud settled over the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the place. At night a fired burned in the cloud. When the cloud lifted, the people traveled, but if the cloud covered the Tabernacle, they stayed. This was the way God led them throughout their whole journey.

For You

The Tabernacle was important to the Israelites because it showed God’s presence was with them. You have the Holy Spirit as a sign God is with you. The Holy Spirit guides you through your conscience. He uses that to tell you when you’ve done wrong and to give you peace when you are living right.

Answer: b

[The Lord said to Moses,] “You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.”   Exodus 25:9

(The Whole Story: Exodus 25–27; 40)