Consecrating the Tabernacle to Spying in Canaan

Tabernacle Consecration

The tabernacle was ready to be set up and consecrated. Moses began this by anointing all that was within the tabernacle. The tribes of Israel came and brought sacrifices. They came with wagonloads of offerings. God told Moses to give these to the Levites that would be serving the tabernacle.

The tribes came in order. The first tribe to make an offering was the tribe of Judah, brought by Nahshon. The next day Nethanel, the chief of Issachar, arrived. On the third day, Eliab, the chief of Zebulun, came. Elizur, the chief of the people of Reuben, came on the fourth day. On the fifth day, Shelumiel, the chief of the people of Simeon, came. Eliasaph, the chief of the people of Gad, came on the sixth day. The seventh day brought Elishama, the chief of the people of Ephraim. On the eighth day, Gamaliel, the chief of the people of Manasseh, came. The ninth day brought Abidan, the chief of the people of Benjamin. On the tenth day, Ahiezer, the chief of the people of Dan, came. On the eleventh day, Pagiel, the chief of the people of Asher, arrived. On the twelfth and last day, Ahira, the chief of the people of Naphtali, came.

The total amount given by the tribes consisted of the following:

Twelve silver plates

Twelve silver basins

Twelve golden dishes full of incense

Thirty-six bulls

Seventy-two rams

Seventy-two male lambs a year old

Seventy-two male goats

After all of these dedication offerings were given, they were anointed. Moses went into the tent of meeting and heard God speak from the seat of mercy.

Seven Lamps and Levite Cleansing

Aaron set up the lamps for the tabernacle as he was told. The Levites were brought forth, and they shaved their bodies and made offerings. They were made clean for service. God told Moses that when the Levites reached the age of fifty, they were to retire and serve only as guards, which would be their service.

Passover and Cloud Covering

God told Moses that it was time for the Passover. He commanded that all must keep it except for the unclean. Some of the people that had touched dead bodies went to Moses and told him that they were unclean because they had touched dead bodies. God told Moses that these people could keep the Passover. If a person was clean and not on a journey, that person was required to keep the Passover. This applied to the people of Israel as well as those that traveled with them.

When the tabernacle was set up, a cloud covered it. When the cloud covered it, the people were to camp and stay where they were while on their journey. When the cloud lifted, the people were to set out on their journey again.

Trumpets

God commanded Moses to make two silver trumpets. These were to be the notice of when to break camp or summon the people. If both trumpets were blown, the people were to gather, and if one trumpet was blown, only the leaders were to come. The trumpets were to be used to alert the people, and they would also be used in case of war. The trumpets were to be blown over burnt offerings and peace offerings as well.

Leaving Sinai and Complaining People

The cloud lifted from over the tabernacle. The people of Israel left Sinai in order, led by the camp of Judah. The tabernacle was taken down and transported by the sons of Gershon and Merari. Moses asked his father-in-law to go with them, but he refused. They traveled to Paran with the ark of the covenant before them.

Soon after this, the people of Israel complained, and God heard the complaints and was angered. He burned some of the camps on the outer edges. The people complained about the food they missed and about the food that they had available. That food was the manna that God had provided. The food fell with the dew and was described as being similar to coriander seed.

Moses then complained to God about having to manage all these people. God answered Moses' plea by gathering elders from among the tribes. God gave some of His Spirit to the men that had been gathered. Quail were then sent near the camp and gathered up. While the people were still eating, God's anger grew, and He sent a plague among the people.

Miriam and Aaron

Miriam and Aaron complained about Moses being the only one that God would speak to. God then spoke to Moses, Miriam, and Aaron. God told them that if there were a prophet among them, God would speak to the prophet in dreams. God then said that He spoke to Moses in person instead of in visions or riddles. When the cloud that God was speaking from left, Miriam had leprosy. Miriam was sent out of the camp for seven days. When she returned, the people continued on their journey.

Spies

God told Moses to send spies into Canaan. He was to send leaders from each tribe. Moses told the men to go out and gather information about the people that occupied Canaan. He wanted to know if those people were strong or weak. He also wanted to know if the land was good or bad and if the cities were weak or strong. After forty days, they returned from their mission, bringing grapes, figs, and pomegranates.

Summary

The tabernacle was consecrated. The people of Israel celebrated Passover. God commanded Moses to make two silver trumpets that would be used as signaling devices for when to gather and announce movement. The people then left Sinai. They began to complain about the conditions and food. This angered God. He sent quail for them to eat, but He also sent a plague because of their complaining. Miriam and Aaron then complained about Moses, so God called them together. As a consequence, Miriam was afflicted with leprosy. God told Moses to send spies into Canaan, and they went out and returned in forty days.