The Tabernacle Is Set Up

God told Moses to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month. Moses set up the frames and spread the tent over it. He put the tablets in the ark and placed the mercy seat on top. He brought the ark in and hung the veil to cover it.

He put the table in the tent and set the bread on it. He put the lampstand across from the table and lit the lamps. He put the golden altar in front of the veil and burned sweet incense. He set the bronze altar at the door and the basin between the tent and the altar. He set up the court and the gate. Moses anointed everything and dressed Aaron and his sons as priests. So Moses finished the work.

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter, because the cloud stayed on it. Whenever the cloud lifted, Israel set out on their journeys. If it did not lift, they did not set out. The cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all Israel.