Exodus 38-40

The text of Exodus doesn't tell us when the craftsmen began working on the tabernacle or how long it took them to finish their work. But we do know that one year after they brought the first Passover lambs into their homes they built the tabernacle. I can imagine the excitement in that camp in the desert. There were yearling lambs calling out to one another as they were brought into the tents of their owners while the children laughed and played with their new pets. Meanwhile there was great activity in the center of the camp. With every Levite given his task it may not have taken long to set up the tabernacle. And when it was set up, before it was annointed with the oil, the cloud of God's presence covered the tent of meeting. While the families in the camp were talking about the lambs the center of the camp was paralized; in awe of the presence of the LORD.
It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart