Ellet J. Waggoner
The Signs of the Times : March 11, 1886
There is one more argument that we would introduce right here. To do so, we shall have to refer to the tabernacle built by Moses, and we shall try to do so as briefly as is consistent with perfect clearness. In general, only references will be given; the reader can look them up at his leisure.
In Exodus 25:8 we read these words: “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” These words of the Lord follow a command to Moses to receive offerings of gold, silver, brass, acacia wood, fine linen, goat’s hair, etc. Of these the tabernacle was to be built. Exodus 25-30 contains the complete description of this structure, together with all the furniture and vessels connected with it. The framework was composed of boards standing upright. There were twenty on each side, and eight on the west end. These boards were ten cubits long, and a cubit and a half wide, and were entirely covered with gold; each one had at the lower extremity two tenons, which were inserted into the sockets of silver, and this arrangement, together with bars that ran through rings on the sides of the boards, served to keep them in position. Exodus 26:15-30.
The east end was closed by a veil, or hanging, of fine linen of various colors, with figures of cherubim worked on it. This was called the door of the tabernacle. Exodus 26:36, 37. Four curtains, made respectively of linen, goat’s hair, rams’ skins, and badgers’ skins, formed the covering of the tabernacle. Exodus 26:1-14. Besides the door, there was a second veil of the same material, which divided the tabernacle into two rooms; the first was called the “Holy Place,” and the second the “Most Holy Place.” Exodus 26:31-33; Hebrews 9:1-3. So much for the tabernacle itself.
Within this tabernacle were various articles of furniture. Just within the holy place on the north side, was a table, upon which show-bread was placed. Exodus 25:23-30; 40:22, 23. On the south side there was a candlestick, or lamp-stand, having seven lamps, the whole beaten out of one solid piece of gold. These lamps were to be kept continually burning. Exodus 25:31, 39. In the western extremity of the holy place, just before the second veil, was the golden altar of incense. Upon this the priest offered incense night and morning. Exodus 30:1-9. This is all that was in the holy place. In the most holy place there was but one article of furniture, the ark of the testimony (Exodus 25:10-22), and that is of so much importance in our investigation that we shall examine it more particularly.
By a careful examination of the scripture last referred to, we find that this ark was an oblong box of acacia wood, covered within and without with gold. On its sides were rings of gold, through which staves were passed for use in carrying it, so that it need never be touched by human hands. The cover to this ark was called the mercy-seat, and was of solid gold. Upon the mercy-seat were the cherubim, one on each end, of solid gold, and of the same piece as the mercy-seat itself. The wings of these cherubim were extended so as to form an arch over the ark, and their faces looked toward each other, and downward to the ark. Within the ark was the “Testimony” (Exodus 25:16), which was nothing other than the Ten Commandments which