ing place. All the materials used were rare and valuable, indicating that anything associated with God was to be of the highest quality. The frames were made of acacia wood that grows naturally in the Middle East. When the tabernacle was taken down to be moved, various families had specific jobs: the Kohathites transported the more sacred items, using the carrying poles (Numbers 4:1-20); the Gershonites dealt with all the soft furnishings, the altar of sacrifice, and its accessories (Numbers 4:21-28); and the Merarites carried the hard furnishings, such as the frames, bars, and bases (Numbers 4:29-33). The tabernacle was surrounded by a fenced courtyard 150 feet by 75 feet (Exodus 27:9-21). The fence frame was made of acacia wood overlaid with silver and resting on bases of bronze. Linen curtains 7 1/2 feet high covered this outer frame. They were hung on silver hooks from silver rods. The entrance, in the eastern face of the courtyard, was covered by a curtain embroidered in colors of blue, purple, and scarlet. This courtyard was the outermost part of the tabernacle and separated it from the Israelite clans that camped around it. THE LAVER AND ALTAR In this courtyard were the altar and laver, or wash basin. The altar stood immediately inside the courtyard. Before sinful people could enter God's presence, they had to offer a sacrifice for their sins. Of course, Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the sacrifice for the sins of everyone, so we can enter God's presence by being humble and asking forgiveness. But in Old Testament times, things-usually animals and grain-were offered up to God as a part of repentance for sin. This altar was designed for burning sacrifices. Seven feet square and four feet high, the altar was built of hollowed wood overlaid with bronze. That made it light enough, despite its size, to be carried on bronze-plated poles going through bronze rings at the corners (Exodus 27:1-8). A bronze grating wa...