It is hard to get the true, full perspective of what "Welcome, come on in" means unless you read the last part of the book of Exodus.  From chapter 25-40 God gives instructions on how to build a tabernacle.  It is a very detailed description down to the last cubit.  In Ex. 25: 8 God says, "And let them make me a sanctuary ; that I may dwell among them."

In Ex. 40: 34, after they had done what God commanded concerning a zillion details, We finally find, "Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."

And every time the Israelites moved on the backside of the desert, they had to strike the tent, move it, and put it up again.  Getting close to God was very difficult.  You were totally dependent on what the priests told you.  If you were a woman, I'm sure you got most of your information from your husband.

As a woman trying to feed your family, can you imagine what it might have been like fixing "Manna" every day and trying to disguise it.  Manna with catsup?  Fried, smoked, pickled, baked, pureed…there is an end to what you can do with manna year after year.

When I got married, Ken said, "I'll eat anything you put in front of me.  Except Spam.  When he was in Korea, the supply ship was destroyed and the only thing the cook had for the pilots to eat was Spam three times a day for a month.  Sweet and sour Spam, Spam sandwiches, Spam and eggs, Spam loaf, etc., etc., etc…  I digress...

"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them."   1 Cor. 6: 19-20, "What?  don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?  For you are bought with a price;  therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."  So now we have God within us, not in a tabernacle.

"Christ in you, the hope of glory."