Walking with God: The Tabernacle on the Move

A Study in Exodus When God gave Moses the instructions for the Tabernacle, He was incredibly detailed. From the Aron HaBrit ( Ark of the Covenant ) to the mizbeach ha-nechoshet (bronze altar), from the menorah (golden lampstand) to the curtains and coverings, every item had its precise design, material, and sacred purpose. But as we read Exodus, it’s natural to wonder, “How did they carry all of this across the wilderness? Did they use carts?” The answer is striking: no carts were used. Every piece of the Tabernacle was meant to be carried by human hands, and the way God designed it teaches us profound lessons about reverence, obedience, and communal service. The Aron was overlaid with gold and had gold rings at its four corners. Poles of acacia wood ( shittim ) were inserted through these rings, and the Kohathites were commanded to carry it without ever touching the Ark directly ( Exodus 25:14–15 ). This careful handling is repeated throughout the Tabernacle. The boards of acaci...