Exodus 26 -- Instruction 2

I'm still trying to get back into my daily readings.  I wish I would not get preoccupied with other, less important things.

Exodus 26:1 “You are to construct the tabernacle itself with 10 curtains. You must make them of finely spun linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with a design of cherubim worked into them. 2 The length of each curtain should be 42 feet, and the width of each curtain six feet; all the curtains are to have the same measurements. 3 Five of the curtains should be joined together, and the other five curtains joined together. 4 Make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the last curtain in the first set, and do the same on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. 5 Make 50 loops on the one curtain and make 50 loops on the edge of the curtain in the second set, so that the loops line up together. 6 Also make 50 gold clasps and join the curtains together with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single unit.

The Lord is being very specific about the furnishings that are to be in the tabernacle.  I do not know the meanings behind most of the things in these chapters, so I have looked at some commentaries.  These curtains were inside the tabernacle and were made of rich and fine linen and have images of cherubim on them.

Exodus 26:7 “You are to make curtains of goat hair for a tent over the tabernacle; make 11 of these curtains. 8 The length of each curtain should be 45 feet and the width of each curtain six feet. All 11 curtains are to have the same measurements. 9 Join five of the curtains by themselves, and the other six curtains by themselves. Then fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. 10 Make 50 loops on the edge of the one curtain, the outermost in the first set, and make 50 loops on the edge of the corresponding curtain of the second set. 11 Make 50 bronze clasps; put the clasps through the loops and join the tent together so that it is a single unit. 12 As for the flap that is left over from the tent curtains, the leftover half curtain is to hang down over the back of the tabernacle. 13 The half yard on one side and the half yard on the other of what is left over along the length of the tent curtains should be hanging down over the sides of the tabernacle on either side to cover it. 14 Make a covering for the tent from ram skins dyed red and a covering of manatee skins on top of that.

Here these curtains are made of common materials, like goats hair and skin.  I bet a lot of the common tents were made from these.  These seem to be (according to commentaries) surrounding the finer curtains mentioned above.  This tabernacle is here God would dwell with his people.  The inner curtains, surrounded with angels was made fit for the presence of God but having the fine materials and angelic patterns.  In the last chapter we learn that the mercy seat was to have cherubim covering it as well.  The cherubim not only surround God on the mercy seat, but also in the tabernacle itself.  The goats skin curtains were to protect the finer linens of the inside of the tabernacle for the elements so that the finer curtains would not be ruined.

Exodus 26:15 “You are to make upright planks of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16 The length of each plank is to be 15 feet, and the width of each plank 27 inches. 17 Each plank must be connected together with two tenons. Do the same for all the planks of the tabernacle. 18 Make the planks for the tabernacle as follows: 20 planks for the south side, 19 and make 40 silver bases under the 20 planks, two bases under the first plank for its two tenons, and two bases under the next plank for its two tenons; 20 20 planks for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, 21 along with their 40 silver bases, two bases under the first plank and two bases under each plank; 22 and make six planks for the west side of the tabernacle. 23 Make two additional planks for the two back corners of the tabernacle. 24 They are to be paired at the bottom, and joined together at the top in a single ring. So it should be for both of them; they will serve as the two corners. 25 There are to be eight planks with their silver bases: 16 bases; two bases under the first plank and two bases under each plank.

These planks served to hold up the tabernacle.  They were designed to be strong and carry the weight of the curtains.  The bases were made of silver so the planks would have a good and strong foundation.  

Exodus 26:26 “You are to make five crossbars of acacia wood for the planks on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five crossbars for the planks on the other side of the tabernacle, and five crossbars for the planks of the back side of the tabernacle on the west. 28 The central crossbar is to run through the middle of the planks from one end to the other. 29 Then overlay the planks with gold, and make their rings of gold as the holders for the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold. 30 You are to set up the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you have been shown on the mountain.

Again we see acacia wood covered with gold.  The tree that represents life in so many cultures is covered with one of the most precious and costly metals.

Exodus 26:31 “You are to make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen with a design of cherubim worked into it. 32 Hang it on four gold-plated posts of acacia wood that have gold hooks and that stand on four silver bases. 33 Hang the veil under the clasps and bring the ark of the testimony there behind the veil, so the veil will make a separation for you between the holy place and the most holy place. 34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. 35 Place the table outside the veil and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle, opposite the table; put the table on the north side. 36 “For the entrance to the tent you are to make a screen embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. 37 Make five posts of acacia wood for the screen and overlay them with gold; their hooks are to be gold, and you are to cast five bronze bases for them.

Here they are to make a veil.  This cloth is similar to the curtains before in color and pattern, but they are much finer.  They are to house the most holy of artifacts.  The Israelites were not to enter this most holy place, except for a very limited and strict time and then it was only one person.  That one priest could come close to God in a way other Israelites could not at that time.  Today, we know that Christ has torn that veil and we can now come to God through Christ.

The above is some of the instructions that Moses was given on the building of the  tabernacle.  Today, we do not need a tabernacle in which to worship.  We, ourselves, serve as the temple of God in which he can dwell.  Our outward appearance is marred with sin and the roughness of the world, but inwardly, since we are followers of Christ, our hearts will reflect beauty of the inner tabernacle in which God dwelt in the past.   I pray that my life and actions will reflect the inner beauty of the tabernacle of God so that I can better serve Him.