The Ark of the Covenant containing the Tablets of the Law Photo: Adobe Stock
A Sanctuary for Meeting with God
God told Moses to make a sanctuary where he would be present with his people and where sacrifices could be made by the priests. The Israelites were to bring gifts of materials and their skills to make the Tabernacle and its furnishings, following the precise instructions God had given Moses on Mount Sinai. (Exodus 25:8-9)
The Tabernacle in the desert Images may be copyright
The Ark was kept in the most holy part of the Tabernacle - The Holy of Holies - and only the priest was allowed into it once a year at The Feast of Atonement (modern Yom Kippur) to sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the cover of the Mercy Seat, which was guarded by two gold cherubim.
The Idolatry of the Golden Calf