Where did the Israelites build the tabernacle and who gave the instructions?
The Israelites built the tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai while they were still encamped there. God gave Moses the instructions for building it, along with all the rituals, regulations, civil laws, and priesthood stipulations that accompanied the Law. They accomplished all this before entering the Promised Land.
Les explains that God added to the Ten Commandments all the rituals, regulations, and commandments for civil law and the priesthood. God then gave Moses the instructions for building the tabernacle, and the Israelites completed it while in the wilderness of Sinai. When finished, the Shekinah glory came down upon it. Whenever the glory lifted and moved, they took down the tabernacle and followed it. After the 40 years of wilderness, they carried it into the Promised Land. For years it remained a temporary tent north of Jerusalem until God gave David, and then Solomon, permission to build a permanent dwelling place, Solomon's Temple. All this was part of the giving of the Law to Israel, not the Gentiles.
When did God give Moses the tabernacle instructions?
God gave Moses the tabernacle instructions while Israel was still camped in the wilderness of Sinai, as part of the giving of the Law. The instructions covered building the tabernacle, and the people completed that work before their forty years of wilderness wandering and entry into the Promised Land.
Where were the Israelites when Moses received the tabernacle instructions?
The Israelites were still in the wilderness of Sinai when Moses received the tabernacle instructions. Scripture indicates God gave Moses directions for building the tabernacle, and the people completed that work while they remained camped there, before the forty years of wilderness wandering ended and they entered the Promised Land.