The Dedication and Transportation of the Tabernacle

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Chapter 7 records the dedication of the Tabernacle. After the Tabernacle was set up, the Heads of the Tribes of Israel came visiting. They brought presents for the dedication and God accepted them. It further describes the provisions for transporting the Tabernacle and all of its furnishings. It appears that the Lord instilled in the hearts of the tribal leaders, a desire to furnish a means of transporting everything connected with the Tabernacle. They brought to the Levites, six covered wagons and twelve oxen. These were not ordinary wagons; they matched the grandeur of that which they transported.

The wagons were assigned to the Levites in the following manner:

1. The Gershonites were given 2 wagons. It does not seem possible that 2 wagons could carry all that they were responsible for. They carried the 3 sets of covering for the Tabernacle, the veils and the curtains that hung on the walls of the Outer Court. Certainly not all of this could be put in two wagons; some must have been carried on their shoulders.
2. The Meranites were given 4 wagons. They were responsible for all the framing, posts and those heavy silver bases. All these bases were estimated to have weighed about 4 tons. That alone would have used up the capacity of 4 wagons. Most believe that because the Meranites were husky men that 100 of them each carried one of the bases on their shoulders (80 lbs.) and the remaining parts were transported by the wagons.
3. The Kohathites were not given any wagons because they were responsible for the "Holy Things" and these had to be carried by hand. We will see in 1st. Chron. 15, during David's time, that the Ark was mistakenly carried on a cart and as a result, Uzza lost his life because it was improperly transported.

They also brought 12 large silver dishes for meat offerings and 12 large silver cups, for drink offerings. They also brought burnt offerings, sin offerings and peace offerings. All were offered to the Lord and the remaining food was used in a great feast.

Each leader (prince) in succession for 12 days brought his offering to the Tabernacle. Nahshon, the Prince of Judah, brought his offering first. The Lord signified His glorious acceptance of these offerings.

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