During the encampment at Sinai, God gave the Law to Moses on the mountain. Included in this law were instructions about the tabernacle and priesthood. It was there in the wilderness that the tabernacle was crafted, and the priesthood was established.
The tabernacle was an elaborate portable tent of worship.
The priesthood was a special group of men who organised and conducted the tabernacle worship.
You may not want to get bogged down in all the detail concerning this matter, so just choose those things which interest you from the Bible summaries below.
Keep in mind, however, that these laws and religious institutions are symbolic representations of Christian priesthood and worship, a "shadow of the good things to come" which we now enjoy (Heb 10:1). Their symbolic relevance make them worthy of some meditation and understanding on our part.
The Main Point
The Tabernacle, the priesthood, and the grand assembly of the people, constituted "the church in the wilderness" (Act 7:38). That congregation, tabernacle, and priesthood, was a symbol or foreshadowing of the real church of Christ (the kingdom of heaven) today (Heb 12:22-24; 8:1-6).
Bible Summary (Exodus 25-31, 35-40)
Instructions for the tabernacle
Note: Items of tabernacle furniture are in bold.The chapter numbers shown in square brackets are those referring to the actual construction.
Offerings (25) [36]
The ark of the covenant (25, 37)
The table (25) [37]
The lampstand (25) [37]
The curtains (26) [36]
The altar for burnt offerings (27) [38]
The courtyard (27) [38]
Oil for lamps (27)
Priestly garments:
The ephod (28) [39]
The breastpiece (28) [39]
The robe (28) [39]
The tunic (28) [39]
The turban (28) [39]
The sash and diadem (28) [39]
Undergarments (28)
Consecrating the priests (29)
The altar of incense (30) [37]
Atonement ransom (30)
The basin or laver (30) [38]
Annointing oil (30)
Incense (30)
The craftsmen (31, 35)
Moses inspects the work [39]
Moses sets up the tabernacle [40]
The glory of the Lord fills it (40)
Bible Summary (Leviticus, Numbers 1-10)
Regulations for offerings (1-7)
Consecration of priests (8)
Priests begin their ministry (9)
Nadab and Abihu’s sin (10)
Food laws (11)
Childbirth laws (12)
Health and hygiene (13-15)
The day of atonement (16)
Eating blood forbidden (17)
Sexual and other laws (18-20)
Instructions to priests (21-22)
Appointed feast days (23)
The lampstand (24)
The table and sacred bread (24)
A blasphemer is stoned (24)
Sabbatical year, Jubilee (25-27)
Numbers
Census at Sinai (1-4)
Test for doubted wife (5)
The Nazirite vow (6)
The poem of blessing (6)
The altar dedicated (7)
The lampstand (8)
Dedication of Levites (8)
Passover laws (9)
The guiding cloud (9)
Two silver trumpets (10)
Some Questions to Consider
1. What is the essence of the priestly blessing in Num 6:22-27, and how is it fulfilled? (Rom 5:1-2, Eph 1:2-9).
2. What are the main elements of the work of a priest? (Heb 5:1-3; 2Chron 15:3).
3. Who are priests in the church of Christ? (Rev 1:6; 20:6; 1Pe 2:9).
4. What priestly garments do priests in the church of Christ wear? (Gal 3:27; Col 3:12-14).
5. Who is the High Priest in the church of Christ? (Heb 2:9,17; 4:14-16).