38
He is the one who was in the congregation in the desert together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our forefathers. He received living oracles to give to us.
39
Our forefathers were unwilling to obey him, but pushed him away, and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
40
They told Aaron: Make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what's become of him.
41
They even made a calf in those days, offered sacrifice to the idol, and were celebrating what their hands had made.
42
Then God turned away and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: Did you bring Me offerings and sacrifices for 40 years in the desert, O house of Israel?
43
No, you took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship. So I will deport you beyond Babylon!
God's Real Tabernacle
44 "Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the desert, just as He who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern he had seen.
45
Our forefathers in turn received it and with Joshua brought it in when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers, until the days of David.
46
He found favor in God's sight and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.
47
But it was Solomon who built Him a house.
48
However, the Most High does not dwell in sanctuaries made with hands, as the prophet says: