By Water & Blood

Questions on Exodus 72: Why the tabernacle was set up on the new moon of the first month

Why did God command them to set up the tabernacle on the new moon of the first month?

Because at this time he fashioned creation, and the sprouting of the trees bears witness to this word: “Let the earth put forth,” he says, “vegetation of grass, sowing seed according to kind and likeness, and fruit-bearing tree making fruit whose seed is in it according to likeness by kind upon the earth.” At the beginning of spring the meadows also flower, and the crops wave, and the trees put forth fruit. For this reason he also freed Israel at this time from the Egyptians’ slavery; and to the holy Virgin the archangel Gabriel brought the good news of the wondrous birth-pangs. At this time also the Master Christ endured the saving passion. Very reasonably, then, the Master God of all commanded the tabernacle to be set up on the first of the first month—both because it was a pattern of the whole world, and so that he might prepare them for the feast of Passover, which the law was for the Jews to celebrate first. Then they were also about to celebrate this feast for the first time in the wilderness. For it was the second year after their release from slavery.