Leviticus documents the law of the priests. The sacrifices described foreshadow the coming of Christ. Animal sacrifices were required to be without blemish. Burnt offerings were a pleasing aroma to the Lord when offered according to His instructions. God required grain offerings to be presented to Aaron’s sons, and a portion was burned as a memorial on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. The remaining grain was food for Aaron and his sons. Any baked offering was to be unleavened. Purity was a necessity in all sacrifices to the Lord.

The priestly garments were made as directed by the Lord. The skilled workers were careful to complete all that God commanded. The tabernacle was constructed as the Lord commanded, and all pieces were put in place. A cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The people set out when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle. They remained when the cloud was not taken up.

The skilled men made the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altar of burnt offering, the bronze basin, and the court according to the instructions given by the Lord. The gifts and offerings for the tabernacle were recorded as Moses instructed.

The people gathered and Moses shared what the Lord commanded them to do. They were to work for six days, then honor the seventh day as a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. The offerings detailed by God to Moses were given by the people. All that was required was given for the building of the tabernacle. Those who were given skills and talents by the Lord to build the tabernacle were together, and they trained others to assist them in their tasks. Every detail was followed as God commanded in building the tabernacle.

God said He would not go among His people because they did not yield to Him. The people were ordered to remove their ornaments, reflecting humility and mourning for the lack of God’s presence. Moses asked God to be with him and the people of Israel, and to allow him to see God’s glory. God passed by Moses while protecting him in the cleft of a rock. God sent Moses back to Mount Sinai with two tablets. He wrote His words on the tablets to replace the ones Moses broke. God renewed His covenant with Israel. Moses returned to the people and his face shined. Moses placed a veil over his face when he was not in the tent of meeting.

The people grew weary while waiting for Moses to return from the mountain. They asked Aaron to make gods for them to follow. Aaron made a golden calf and an altar for worship. They offered burnt offerings to the golden calf. God sent Moses back to the people and threatened to destroy the people. Moses asked God to spare them. When Moses saw them worshipping the calf, he destroyed the animal sacrifice. Moses sent the sons of Levi to kill all who were continuing in idolatry, and about 3,000 men were killed. God told His people to continue to the promised land. He sent a plague on the people because of their sin.

God commanded Moses to build an altar made of acacia wood on which to burn incense. The altar was placed in front of the veil above the ark. Aaron was told to burn incense every morning and every evening as an offering to the Lord. Aaron would make atonement annually and place the blood of the sacrifice on the horns of the altar. A tax was collected from every person twenty years and older for the service of the tent of meeting. Priests were cleansed before entering the tent of meeting. God commanded Israel to keep the Sabbath as a covenant with Him. Anyone who did any work on the Sabbath was put to death.

God called Arron and his sons to serve as priests and He gave Moses instructions to make garments for them to wear. A breastplate was to possess the names of the tribes of Israel. Aaron and his sons were to be set aside and cleansed and represent Israel before God. They would wear the garments anytime they came near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, or they would die. Aaron and his sons would be anointed and would provide sacrifices. God gave instructions for sacrifices of atonement (payment for sin) for Israel. God promised to dwell among His people.

God gave detailed instructions for the tent of Tabernacle. The measurements were given in cubits. A cubit is approximately eighteen inches. Frames were made with acacia wood. Curtains were connected to each other and to the frames. A veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The table and the lamp were placed outside the veil. The ark of the testimony was placed in the Most Holy Place with the mercy seat on it. A square altar was built of acacia for sacrifices to be offered. A court of tabernacle was lined with linen. The lamp outside the veil was filled with pure beaten olive oil provided by the people. Aaron and his sons were commanded to continually tend the lamp from evening to morning.

An offering was to be used to establish a tabernacle. God gave Moses detailed instructions for building an Ark of acacia wood that would be carried with poles. Tablets of the Law which would be provided by God were placed in the Ark. Two cherubim of gold were placed on the Ark, one on each end facing each other. The place between the cherubim known as the Mercy Seat was where God would meet with them. God commanded Moses to build a table and place the bread of the Presence on it. This bread was replaced weekly and was then eaten by the priest. It represented God’s provisions for Israel. God commanded Moses to build a lampstand to light the space. Each piece was to be built specifically as God commanded.