We see that throughout Genesis a major theme is the existence- or lack thereof- of the central sanctuary and ladder to heaven. This sanctuary was of significance for all mankind and was served by a specially consecrated priestly line. Exodus records the actual reestablishment by God of the ladder to heaven, beginning with a description of Israel’s being forced to build dwellings and cities for Pharaoh and idolatrous gods- Rameses and Pi-Atum- but concludes with the construction of the Tabernacle, the single house of the true God. In Exodus 19, Israel as a whole is consecrated as the priestly nation. It is Israel’s election to be the light of the world, and Israel’s mission on behalf of all mankind is to officiate liturgically and politically at the one central sanctuary. The description of the Tabernacle, especially its consecration in Leviticus 8-10, links it in many ways with the garden of Eden. The High Priest is symbolically identified as a microcosm not only of Israel, bearing all twelve tribes upon his shoulders, but the entire human race, being a figure of Adam and being vested with vestments signifying the whole creation.
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