Exodus 25-28: The Tabernacle

How do you make a dwelling for the creator of the universe?  First you have to be willing to give.  "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:  “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering." - Exodus 25:1-2  Then you must use the finest materials:  Gold, Silver, Bronze, the best wood, the most beautiful yarns and linens and the finest oil.  You must follow specific, very intricate instructions for each area of the temple.  You have to utilize your finest craftsmen.  Then after you have created the dwelling for God, who can go before him?  Only the High Priest, dressed in the finest robes of royalty:  a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash that have been consecrated so he can enter the presence of God.  With the ephod, Aaron bore the names of the twelve tribes engraved on stones mounted in gold.  The breastpiece also contained the names of each son of Israel engraved in stones set in gold.  The hem of the robe was surrounded by bells and pomegranates so that God could hear him coming.  The turban on Aaron's head held a plate with a seal that said "Holy to the Lord", and which bore the guilt of the Israelites.    With all of these instructions, did the Israelites realize the importance of the tabernacle and their High Priest.  Did they understand that the tabernacle was where God would come to dwell on earth and that they needed a mediator to enter his presence.  Or were they more concerned with their journey, their food, their water?  Did they think, "I'm glad somebody is taking care of the "God" thing, now let me get on with my life."