Exodus Chapter Twenty Six

Transcription

1 Exodus Chapter Twenty Six Overview of Exodus 26 Chapter 25 focused upon the furniture in tabernacle. However, chapter 26 focuses upon the tabernacle itself, which symbolized God s dwelling among His people (25:8; 29:45). The tabernacle protected the three pieces of furniture, namely the Ark of the Covenant, table of showbread and the lampstand. Also the altar of incense described in Exodus 30:1-10. There were many synonyms for the Tabernacle in the Scriptures: (1) Sanctuary (Exodus 25:8; 2 Chronicles 20:8). (2) Tent of Meeting (Exodus 27:21). (3) Tabernacle of Testimony (Exodus 38:21). (4) Tent of Testimony (2 Chronicles 24:6). (5) Temple of the Lord (1 Samuel 1:9; 3:3). (6) House of the Lord (Joshua 6:24). (7) Holy Temple (Psalm 79:1). (8) Holy House (1 Chronicles 29:3). (9) House of God (1 Chronicles 29:3). (10) House of the Lord (2 Chronicles 23:5, 12; Jeremiah 28:5). (11) Father s House (John 2:16). (12) House of the God of Jacob (Isaiah 2:3). (13) Glorious House (Isaiah 60:7). (14) House of Sacrifice (2 Chronicles 7:12). (15) House of Prayer (Isaiah. 56:7; Matt. 21:13). (16) House of their Sanctuary (2 Chronicles 36:17). (17) Holy and Beautiful House (Isaiah 64:11). (18) Holy Mount (Isaiah 27:13). (19) Mountain of the Lord s House (Isaiah 2:2). (20) Palace (1 Chronicles 29:1, 19). (21) Zion (Psalm 20:2, 48:12). In the book of Exodus, Moses uses four different terms to describe the tabernacle, which emphasize one of its purposes: (1) miq dāš ק דּ שׁ) (מ (mik-dawsh ) (noun), sanctuary (Exodus 25:8): The word means place of holiness and emphasizes the transcendence of God. (2) miš kān (miš kān) (mish-kawn ) (noun), tabernacle (Exodus 25:9): The word means dwelling place and emphasizes God s purpose of dwelling with His people. (3) ʾō hěl (א ה ל) (o -hel) (noun), tent (Exodus 26:36; 29:42-43; 35:21): Emphasizes the imminence of God. (4) miš kǎn hā ʿē ḏǔṯ שׁ כּ ן ה ע ד ת),(מ tabernacle of the testimony (Exodus 38:21): Indicates that the structure was the repository of the Ten Commandments. The entrances to the court and to the tabernacle structure were from the east. The prescribed order for the building of the tabernacle is given in Exodus 25:10-27:19, beginning with the Ark and proceeding outward, whereas in 36:8-38:31 there is a description of its construction, pursuing the reverse order. The materials are listed in Ex. 25:3; 35:4: (1) Gold (2) Silver (3) Bronze (4) Blue (5) Purple (6) Scarlet (7) Fine twined linen (8) Goat s hair (9) Dyed rams skins (10) Goatskins (11) Acacia Wood (12) Oil for lamps (13) Spices for the annointing oil and the fragrant incense (14) Onyx stones (15) Stones for the ephod and the breastpiece. The earthly tabernacle in Israel was composed of the 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

2 following: (1) Court (2) Bronze Altar (3) Bronze Laver of Water (4) Holy Place (5) Holy of Holies. The court contained: (1) Bronze Altar (2) Bronze Laver of Water. The following pieces of furniture were contained in the Holy Place: (1) Golden Lampstand (2) Table of Showbread (3) Altar of Incense. The Tabernacle was composed of two parts: (1) The Tabernacle proper (Hebrew: mishkan) (2) The tent over the tabernacle (ohel, Ex. 26:7). The Tabernacle proper consisted of boards of acacia wood, each 10 cubits long by one and a half broad (26:16); their entire surface was plated with sheets of gold. Twenty of these formed each side wall (verses 18, 20), each board having two tenons at its foot to enter the socket. There were eight rear boards (verse 25), six of which were of the same dimensions as those on the side, thus making nine cubits. As the width of the Tabernacle was probably the same as its height, ten cubits, thus making the Holy of Holies a perfect cube (Eph. 3:18), this would leave one cubit of space to be filled by the two corner boards. There is nothing in the Hebrew to indicate the breadth of these two boards, and we assume that they were only one-half cubit wide. If, now, the rear boards were placed within the sideboards, so as to be flush with the end, each corner board would rest on two sockets, and we have the sixteen sockets demanded. This will oblige us to count the rear socket of the sides, as is done with the posts of the courts. The meaning seems to be that as you look at each side, forty sockets are seen; whereas if you look at the rear, sixteen are in view. In order to keep the boards in line, three series of bars were provided, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, to pass through rings of gold on the outside of the boards (26:26-29; 36:31-34). Of these, five were on each side and five on the rear, the middle bar reaching from end to end; the upper and lower ones were divided, their ends being fastened (as Josephus suggests) with dowels. They were probably of different lengths, to prevent the break being in the center. The whole structure was, doubtless, kept in place with cords, one end fastened to the knobs to which the tent cloth was attached and the other end to pins driven into the ground. The boards were covered on the outside with a double blanket of skins, probably suspended from the knobs mentioned above, thus keeping the wind and dust from entering between the boards and also protecting the gold sheeting. The inner blanket was of porpoise skins (26:14; 36:19) but may have been of the Angora goat. This was probably hung with the hair turned inward toward the boards, while the other blanket (of ram skins dyed red) was hung with the hair on the outside, to shed the rain. The roof (Hebrew: `ohel, tent ) of the Tabernacle was made of goats-hair canvas, i.e., camlet, such as is still used by the Arabs, generally looking like a fox skin of black or brownish color (Song of Sol. 1:5). It consisted of an inner covering and a fly. The material was woven in 11 pieces, each thirty cubits long by four 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

3 wide (Ex. 26:7-9; 36:14); five of these pieces were joined so as to make the inner tent, and six formed the fly. This sixth breadth, being thirty cubits long, would allow itself to be double across the front and single across the rear of the Tabernacle (26:9, 13). The lower edge of each sheet was buttoned over certain knobs on the boards by means of fifty loops attached to their selvedge. The tent extended one cubit over the sides (verses 10-13). The roof was sustained by posts, one of them being an extension of the central front doorpost, their heads probably rounded so as not to tear the roof canvas. The entrance to the Tabernacle was closed with a screen like that of the court, supported by five pillars, covered with gold; their hooks were of gold, and their bands (curtain rods) were covered with gold; their sockets were of bronze (Ex. 26:36-37; 36:37-38). If these pillars were arranged so as to leave six spaces, each space would have been a little more than thirty inches wide. Evidently the curtain rods had rings in their ends, which slipped down over hooks in the tops of the posts and on the boards. Each wall drapery consisted of five pieces of cloth woven of the same material as the door screen, four cubits wide and twenty cubits long. These pieces were sewed together at the ends and hung by loops of blue cord to the gold knobs on the inside of the boards (Ex. 26:1-6; 36:8-13). Special dignity was given to these side curtains, compared to that of the door screen, by their embroidery of cherubim, the work of a skillful workman (26:1; 36:8), instead of the simple tracery on the latter. As will be seen, the hangings were each twice as wide as the entire circuit of the walls, therefore they must have been gathered into some manner of festoons. The veil (Hebrew: paroket, a separation ), particularly described in Ex. 26:31-33; 36:35-36, was the screen between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. It was of the same material as the door screens but was embroidered with cherubim. It is thought that there were two, their extended wings touching each other. The veil, like the other hangings, was suspended upon pillars and, probably, bands (curtain rods), though the latter was not mentioned. These pillars (and bands) were covered with gold, the hooks were of gold, and the sockets of silver. For the veil four pillars were used, and as no one of them ran up to the peak, it did not, therefore, need to be in the center. The upper corners of the veil were fastened to the gold hooks in the boards. If we follow the proportions of the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the Temple, we must suppose the latter in the Tabernacle to have been square and the former to have been twice as long as broad. This will fix the dividing line between the two rooms at two-thirds of the width of the seventh board from the rear; the presumption is that the pillars were wholly within the Most Holy Place William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

4 Commenting on chapter 26, the NET Bible has the following note, This chapter is given over to the details of the structure itself, the curtains, coverings, boards and walls and veil. The passage can be studied on one level for its function both practically and symbolically for Israel s worship. On another level it can be studied for its typology, for the tabernacle and many of its parts speak of Christ. 1 Douglas Stuart writes The tabernacle was a fancy rectangular tent in which God lived symbolically in the presence of his people. After being built, it was set up in the middle of the entire Israelite encampment so that all the individual small, simple Israelite tents surrounded the one big fancy tent of Yahweh in concentric circles. When he led them in traveling or in going into war, he went out in front of them in the form of his angel or the pillar of cloud/fire. But when they encamped, his home was in their very midst, and they gathered their homes around his. His dwelling place faced east and had two rooms. The east room was an outer room or entrance room called the holy place that was thirty feet (twenty cubits) long, fifteen feet (ten cubits) wide, and fifteen (ten cubits) feet high. In it were three pieces of furniture: a food/utensil table, a lampstand, and an incense altar. On the west was 1 Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Ex 26:1). Biblical Studies Press William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

5 an inner or back room called the most holy place that was dimensionally a cube: fifteen feet (ten cubits) long, fifteen feet (ten cubits) wide, and fifteen feet (ten cubits) high. In it was the ark of the covenant an ornate box with a special platform on its lid that symbolized God s presence. This room was divided from the outer room by a special woven curtain of blue, red, and gold with cherubim motifs. The tabernacle was made of three layers of fabric that were spread, stretched, and/or hung over a framework resembling interconnected ladders made of gilded wood. The inner layer (the layer visible to anyone inside) was, similarly to the curtain mentioned above, also a beautiful curtain cloth elaborately woven of blue, red, and gold colors with cherubim motifs patterned into the weaving. Over that was a middle layer of goat hair, giving thickness and protection. The outer layer was of dugong (sea cow) hides, providing a waterproof side to the elements. Only priests, specially prepared by rituals, could enter the tabernacle itself. The other Israelites had to remain in the courtyard to worship. The tabernacle was located at the western end of a rectangular courtyard that was made of linen curtains seven and one-half feet high, hung from poles, going all around to form the boundary. The courtyard was one hundred and fifty feet (one hundred cubits) long and seventy-five feet (fifty cubits) wide, with a thirty foot (twenty cubits) wide entrance on the eastern end that usually was open but had a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet that could be used to close off the courtyard entirely. In the eastern end of the courtyard stood two items: an altar for grilling sacrificial meat and a laver for the priests to wash up before entering the tabernacle Everything making up the tabernacle and its courtyard could be rather quickly disassembled, wrapped or bundled up, and transported as the Israelites moved from place to place before settling in Canaan. It also could be reassembled rather quickly whenever they set up camp. Thus as the Israelites moved, God moved with them. Wherever they went, he lived in their midst. 23 Thomas Constable writes The tabernacle walls consisted of rigid supports with curtains hung over the boards. These draperies also evidently formed its ceiling. Most commentators believe that the tabernacle was a single structure, but a few believe it consisted of three separate structures one on top of the other. These structures were the tabernacle proper, a tent over it made of goat hair, and another tent of skins that covered both of these structures. The tabernacle as a whole illustrates four different things according to Scripture. It represents the heavens where God dwells and from which He manifests Himself (Heb. 4:14; 9:23-24), the 2 Stuart, D. K. (2007). Vol. 2: Exodus (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (584). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 3 Stuart, D. K. (2007). Vol. 2: Exodus (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (583). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

6 work of Christ (John 2:19-21; Heb. 3:3-4; 8:2; 9:11-12), the individual believer (1 Cor. 6:19), and the church (1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 3:6; 10:21). 4 Lawrence Richards writes The tabernacle was to be constructed of several layers of curtains laid over an intricate wooden frame. There were no windows, and the interior was completely secluded. The outside entrance was covered with a drapery hanging, and inside another drapery, a special, heavy veil divided the interior of the tabernacle into two sections. The outer room, where the lampstand and table of showbread were, was called the holy place. The inner section was the most holy place. This inner room could be entered only once a year, on the Day of Atonement. Only the high priest could enter this room, and he must always come with sacrificial blood. The tabernacle and its carefully divided rooms communicated a unique message. God was present with His people. But God could not be approached freely. The N.T. explains the symbolism of the inner veil: the Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed (Heb. 9:8). How significant then the report in the Gospels that the moment Christ died, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51). Through the death of Christ all who believe have immediate, free access into the very presence of God. 5 Merrill F. Unger writes The general authority for the typical significance of the Tabernacle is found in Hebrews 9:1-24. Having the assurance that the building, its furnishings and its priesthood are typical, the details of necessity must have typical significance also, or at least be richly illustrative of the person and work of the Savior and the salvation He came to bring. The New Testament explains that the tabernacle is typical (1) of Christ (Hebrews 9:4); (2) of the church as the habitation of God through the Spirit (25:8; Ephesians 2:19-22); of the believer (2 Corinthians 6:16); and (4) as a figure of things in the heavens (Hebrews 9:23-24). 6 A type may be defined as an Old Testament person, event, or thing having historical reality and designed by God to prefigure (foreshadow) in a preparatory way a real person, event or thing so designated in the New Testament and that corresponds to an fulfills (heightens) the type. An illustration, on the other hand, may be defined as a biblical person, event or thing having historical reality, that pictures or is analogous to some corresponding spiritual truth in a natural and unforced way and is not explicitly designated in the New Testament as a type. A type must have at least five elements: (1) A notable resemblance or correspondence between the type and the antitype, (2) historical reality in both the type and the antitype, (3) a prefiguring or predictive foreshadowing of the antitype 4 Notes on Exodus, 2003 Edition, Dr. Thomas Constable; pages ; Published by Sonic Light; 5 Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (69). Wheaton: Victor Books. 6 Unger, Merrill F., Unger s Commentary on the Old Testament; pages ; Tyndale Theological Seminary Published by AMG Publishers, William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

7 by the type, (4) a heightening in which the antitype is greater than the type, and divine design. Therefore, the tabernacle itself, its furniture, priesthood and sacrifices were a historical reality and designed by God to prefigure or foreshadow in a preparatory way, the Lord Jesus Christ and His substitutionary spiritual and physical deaths on the cross which provided salvation for sinful humanity. Exodus 26:1-6: The Design of the Inner Curtains Exodus 26:1 Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall have the same measurements. 3 Five curtains shall be joined to one another, and the other five curtains shall be joined to one another. 4 You shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and likewise you shall make them on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set. 5 You shall make fifty loops in the one curtain, and you shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite each other. 6 You shall make fifty clasps of gold, and join the curtains to one another with the clasps so that the tabernacle will be a unit. (NASB95) This pericope makes clear to the reader that the tabernacle was made with ten curtains. The length of these curtains measured twenty-eight cubits, which is equivalent to forty-two feet. It was also four cubits high/wide, which is equivalent to six feet. These curtains were woven with high-quality, twisted linen, which was strong and fine and mixed with yarns which were dyed with three different colors. The colors were blue, purple and scarlet. This passage also teaches that the curtains were connected into two sets of five. The means by which this was accomplished is not identified. However, it was probably by sewing. The two sets of curtains measured forty-two by thirty feet. These two curtain groups were joined temporarily whenever the ark was set up by connecting loops of blue material at their edges. They were joined with special gold rings. There would be fifty loops along the forty-two foot edge. In other words, there would be a loop every ten inches. When the curtains were joined together they formed the tabernacle roof. The tabernacle with this overarching tent was also surrounded by a large courtyard according to Exodus 27:9-19. These curtains measured forty-two feet and by sixty feet. The actual floor space of the tabernacle was forty-five feet long by fifteen feet wide, which is equivalent to six hundred and seventy-five square feet. It was also 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

8 fifteen feet high. The floor space was of course divided in a two-thirds and onethird split into two rooms. This would have been the holy place and the most holy place. The former took two-thirds of the floor space which is thirty feet by fifteen feet. The latter took the remaining one third of the floor space, which is fifteen feet by fifteen feet. These measurements are calculated by figuring the amount of draping over the back wall required to reach from the top to the ground and counting the width of the individual curtains to the point of the clasps (v. 6) from which the dividing veil curtain hung (v. 33). The ten curtains speak of the sinless life of Jesus Christ (John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 3:5) and the fine linen portrayed His perfect righteousness (Romans 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 John 2:1). The blue linen signified that Jesus Christ originated or came from heaven (John 1:1-2, 14; 8:58; 10:30; Romans 1:1-4; 8:3; 9:1-5; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3;16; Hebrews 1:3; 2:14; 1 John 1:1-4; Revelation 1:8) and the purple linen signifies the fact that He is a king (Matthew 27:11; John 18:37; Revelation 19:16). The scarlet speaks of His substitutionary spiritual (Matthew 27:46) and physical deaths on the cross of Calvary (Matthew 27:47-50; John 19:30). The cherubim represent the fact that the integrity and holiness of God as well as His presence are unapproachable for sinful mankind apart from Jesus Christ s substitutionary spiritual and physical deaths on the cross. The joining of the curtains and the hanging of them represented the fact that Jesus Christ is the mediator between sinful mankind and a holy God since He reconciled the former to the latter by means of His substitutionary spiritual and physical deaths on the cross (1 Timothy 2:5; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). These deaths satisfied the demands of a holy God that required that sin and sinners be judged and reconciled sinful humanity to a holy God (Romans 3:24-25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). Exodus 26:7-14: The Design of the Protective Curtains and Weather Coverings Exodus 26:7 Then you shall make curtains of goats hair for a tent over the tabernacle; you shall make eleven curtains in all. 8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; the eleven curtains shall have the same measurements. 9 You shall join five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the front of the tent. 10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set. 11 You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and you shall put the clasps into the loops and join the tent together so that it will be a unit. 12 The overlapping part that 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

9 is left over in the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that is left over, shall lap over the back of the tabernacle. 13 The cubit on one side and the cubit on the other, of what is left over in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall lap over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other, to cover it. 14 You shall make a covering for the tent of rams skins dyed red and a covering of porpoise skins above. (NASB95) This passage is telling the reader that another set of curtains hung over the colorful curtains that hung within the tabernacle and formed its walls, ceiling and back. The inner curtains were ten in number with each measuring forty-two feet (twenty-eight cubits) long and six feet (four cubits) wide (26:1-2). The inner curtains provided 2,520 square feet for the inner wall and ceiling surfacing. The second layer of curtains mentioned in verses 7-14 also went over the top and sides of the tabernacle. They protected the colorful curtains that hung within the tabernacle since they would lie right over them. This second layer of curtains was made of goat hair, which was a black weather-resistant material which is still used by Bedouins today when they make tents for themselves. The width of these eleven middle curtains was six feet (four cubits), which is the same as the inner curtains. However, the length of these curtains was longer than the inner curtains with the former being forty-five feet (thirty cubits) whereas the latter was forty-two feet (twenty-eight cubits). Thus, this second layer of protective curtains provided 2,970 square feet of surface or in other words 450 square feet more than the inner curtains. The goat hair curtains that formed the second layer were joined into two sets with one made up of five curtains which correspond to the inner curtains which were joined into sets of five. However, the other set of curtains was composed of six curtains. The last of this group was at the front edge of the tabernacle, which served as a protective curtain by closing off the front of the tabernacle when needed. Exodus 26:10 tells the reader that just as there were two sets of inner curtains which were joined by fifty gold rings connecting fifty loops on each set, so the goat hair curtains were joined by fifty bronze rings. This second layer of curtains composed of goat hair was seen as a single covering when they were all joined together. It was wider and longer than the inner layer of curtains. It was longer for the simple reason that it contained an extra curtain and it was wider since each curtain was made to have additional length. Exodus 26:12-13 indicates that there could be an overlap of this second or middle layer of curtains on top of the inner layer. This would be the case on both the back and sides of the tabernacle. Stuart writes Based on the wording of these verses, it is fairly certain that the curtains lay in the opposite plane to that of the length of the tabernacle. In other 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9

10 words, since the front of the tabernacle faced east and its back was to the west, the curtains were draped from the south side to the north side (thinking of draping them left to right as one faced the front of the tabernacle). 7 Exodus 26:14 presents a description of two other layers of covering for the tabernacle. The third layer was composed of rams skins dyed red with the fourth or outer layer composed of porpoise skins (NASB95) or hides of sea cows. The latter would be seen most of the time by the Israelites and would be the layer exposed to the elements. The hides of these sea cows or porpoises was thick and durable and would protect the tabernacle from the hot sun, rain, snow, dew, frost, dust and sand. It would also be able to withstand the repeated setting up and tearing down of the tabernacle, which would take place whenever the Israelites were traveling from place to place. The NET Bible has the following note The curtains of fine linen described above could be seen only by the priests from inside. Above that was the curtain of goats hair. Then over that were the coverings, an inner covering of rams skins dyed red and an outer covering of hides of fine leather. The movement is from the inside to the outside because it is God s dwelling place; the approach of the worshiper would be the opposite. The pure linen represented the righteousness of God, guarded by the embroidered cherubim; the curtain of goats hair was a reminder of sin through the daily sin offering of a goat; the covering of rams skins dyed red was a reminder of the sacrifice and the priestly ministry set apart by blood, and the outer covering marked the separation between God and the world. These are the interpretations set forth by Kaiser; others vary, but not greatly (see W. C. Kaiser, Jr., Exodus, EBC 2:459). 8 Exodus 26:15-25: Design of the Framing Uprights Supporting Curtains Exodus 26:15 Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board. 17 There shall be two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; thus you shall do for all the boards of the tabernacle. 18 You shall make the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards for the south side. 19 You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards, two sockets under one board for its two tenons and two sockets under another board for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards, 21 and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board. 22 For the 7 Stuart, D. K. (2007). Vol. 2: Exodus (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (586). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 8 Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Ex 26:7). Biblical Studies Press William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10

11 rear of the tabernacle, to the west, you shall make six boards. 23 You shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear. 24 They shall be double beneath, and together they shall be complete to its top to the first ring; thus it shall be with both of them: they shall form the two corners. 25 There shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board. (NASB95) These verses describe the forming of rigid wall supports for the tabernacle. They tell the reader that there were a total of forty-eight ladder-like frames, which sat on silver bases. The front or east end of the tabernacle did not have any of these supports for the simple reason that it was designed to be open for entrance and for coming in and going out by the priests who served in the tabernacle. Boards is the noun qě rěš שׁ) (ק ר (keh -resh), which actually means frame or in other words it refers to boards or planks as part of a construction and often were used to hold something up. This word appears 23 times in chapter 26. There were forty-eight frames altogether. Twenty of these frames supported the north wall of the tabernacle and twenty supported the south wall, six supported the back wall and two were used to double the strength of the back corners, which were separate at the bottom but joined at the top by a ring or rings. This appears to be forming a sort of A-frame at the back corners, which would add stability to the structure. Stuart writes It seems possible that the frames were not erected so as to stand fully vertical but were spread so that the curtains were slightly wider apart at the bottom than at the top as viewed from either the east or the west. As a result, the tabernacle with its floor included had the shape as viewed from the outside of what would technically be called a solid isosceles trapezoid, not strictly a solid rectangle, as one looked at it from either the east or the west. 9 The frames used as uprights were made of acacia wood, which was in abundant supply in the wilderness. All the wooden objects of the tabernacle, the ark, the table and ark poles, were composed of acacia wood overlaid with gold. These upright frames had two tenons parallel to one another. Tenons is the noun yāḏ (י ד) (yawd), which means projection (NET) referring to a part of a construction which protrudes. It appears twice in Exodus chapter 26 (verses 17 and 19). These fames had these two projections, twenty-seven inches (a cubit and a half) apart and connected to one another by cross pieces resulting in them looking as ladders. The twenty frames on each side would have been set every two feet three inches (every twenty-seven inches) on center because the floor space of the tabernacle was forty-five feet by fifteen feet. Consequently, since they were twenty-seven 9 Stuart, D. K. (2007). Vol. 2: Exodus (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary ( ). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11

12 inches wide, we can infer that they butted against one another. If they were fastened to one another, they would provide a continuous framework for the horizontal frames and the curtains. This framework would be strong and rigid. Exodus 26:22-24 describes the west wall or in other words, the back wall frames in the same way. They were butted against and connected to one another. There would be added support provided by the A-frame at each back corner and interlocking that frame with the one under it at the top. So we can see that there were forty-eight ladder-like acacia wood gilded frames and ninety-six silver bases which formed the side supports for the tabernacle. This all portrays the Lord Jesus Christ and those who are united with Him through redemption. Exodus 26:26-29: Design of the Framing Crossbars Supporting Curtains Exodus 26:26 Then you shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle for the rear side to the west. 28 The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the boards with gold and make their rings of gold as holders for the bars; and you shall overlay the bars with gold. (NASB95) Bars is the noun b e rî a ḥ ( ר יח (בּ (ber-ee -akh), which refers to a crossbar, i.e. a finished piece of wood for joining a frame. Verses tell the reader that the frames were secured by a series of 15 crossbars. Five were on each of the two sides and five were on the back. These crossbars fit through gold rings horizontally. These bars were overlaid with gold. The center bar on each side was to extend the full length. The other bars appear to have been shorter. The center bar extended from the frontmost of these crossbars at the east end to the rearmost of the crossbars, at the west end. This would stretch forty-five feet from front to back. The center ridge pole united all the crossbars. It kept them spaced properly as well and served to make things more rigid. These roof supports were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. What the reader is not told however is how these fifteen bars were attached to the sides and back end. Exodus 26:30: The Blueprint of the Tabernacle Exodus 26:30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain. (NASB95) 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12

13 This verse is a reference to the blueprints of the tabernacle rather than merely the oral instructions from God. It tells us that Moses not only heard the Lord s instructions regarding the construction of the tabernacle but also he saw the blueprints or in other words he saw a picture of the plans. This would indicate that when Moses communicated the Lord s instructions to Bezalel, Oholiab and their co-workers, he not only told them what to make and how to make it but also he could recognize the way it was to look when finished since he had been shown the blueprints of the tabernacle. The Lord had shown him the various parts of the tabernacle and what they were to look like. Therefore, the information provided in writing which would appear confusing in places to us here in the twenty-first century would not cause a problem for Moses since he had seen a visual representation or a representation of the finished product in accordance with the Lord s instructions. The implication is that the tabernacle was the product of a designed revealed by God rather than an interpretation of a general concept (Stuart, page 590). Through the Israelites the Lord constructed a home for Himself, which was according to His specifications and not according to the imaginations of the Israelites. Hebrews 8:5 teaches that the Lord required that Moses construct the tabernacle for Him based upon the exact plans of design and building it precisely according to His design. This would insure that the Israelites would respect the tabernacle as not only a place where the Lord dwells but also as a replica of His heavenly temple but on a small scale and built with earthly material. The reason for God demanding that the Israelites strictly adhere to His instructions was to emphasize with the Israelites and all His people in subsequent dispensations that they were to ultimately live with Him in heaven in His heavenly tabernacle. Thus, it was preparing them to live in their true home in heaven. In effect, God was giving the Israelites a little taste of heaven with the construction of the tabernacle and the worship that would take place within its walls. Stuart writes He gave them a small sample of what his heavenly home is like, required them to locate themselves and their homes around his (see Num 2), and thus taught them the principle that they belonged in proximity to him. He projected his presence symbolically among them on earth in this way so that they could learn to long for and live for the time when they would actually dwell in his presence permanently. 10 Exodus 26:31-35: Design of the Veil in Front of the Holy of Holies 10 Stuart, D. K. (2007). Vol. 2: Exodus (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (590). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13

14 Exodus 26:31 You shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 32 You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, their hooks also being of gold, on four sockets of silver. 33 You shall hang up the veil under the clasps, and shall bring in the ark of the testimony there within the veil; and the veil shall serve for you as a partition between the holy place and the holy of holies. 34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the holy of holies. 35 You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side. (NASB95) These verses teach that a special curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen was to be made to close off the most holy place, i.e. the Holy of Holies from the front room of the tabernacle, which is called the Holy Place. This curtain was to match the curtains that lined the inside of the tabernacle (26:1) as well as the entrance curtain (26:36). Thus, everything in the interior of the tabernacle would share the same general appearance of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen curtains with cherubim figures woven into them, supported by gilded frames and poles with silver bases. This passage also teaches that this special curtain hung from four gold-covered poles that had silver bases. The support of these poles would stretch the veil from one side to the other of the interior of the tabernacle or in other words from south to north. This curtain hung by the golden clasps mentioned in verse 6 from the top of the tabernacle. It was a long single curtain, which was not a divided curtain, which could be easily opened. In order to get past this curtain, one would have to move at least one of the poles at the either side and go around it since it was not designed to be gotten past under ordinary conditions. Rather, this curtain was to provide a barrier which would prohibit people from entering. The ark rested behind this curtain in the most holy place and in front of it would be a table and lampstand. When the priest faced toward the back or west end of the tabernacle, the table would be standing to the right or north side and the lampstand to the left or south side. This special veil typified the physical death of the impeccable humanity of Jesus Christ in hypostatic union (Hebrews 10:20; cf. Matthew 27:50-51; Mark 15:37-38; Luke 23:45-46). Matthew 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. (NASB95) The Holy Place in the Temple was divided from the Holy of Holies by a great and beautiful veil and was suspended by hooks from four pillars of gold. It measured 60 feet long by 30 feet wide, worked in 72 squares and was reputed to be 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14

15 as thick as the palm of the hand. So heavy was it that the priests claimed it took 300 men to handle it. The veil was a barrier and effectively excluded the Levitical priests from the entering the Holy of Holies. Only once a year was it drawn aside to admit the high priest on the Day of Atonement. He entered the sacred presencechamber to sprinkle the Mercy Seat with the Lamb s blood, making atonement for his own sins and those of the nation of Israel. The rending of the veil in the Herodian Temple was symbolic of the new and living way into the presence of God, which has been opened to everyone, both Jew and Gentile. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16 THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM, He then says, 17 AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE. 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh. (NASB95) There is a barrier in the Herodian temple and the special veil in the tabernacle served to separate a holy God from sinful mankind. The death of Christ tore this veil in two permitting access for sinful humanity to have a relationship and fellowship with a holy God. The death of Christ on the cross removes this barrier (Eph. 2:14-16), which consists of the following: (1) Mankind commits acts of sin (Isa. 64:6b; Rom. 3:23). (2) The penalty of sin is spiritual death (Rom. 5:12; 6:23a). (3) All are born spiritually dead at physical birth (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1). (4) Man s relative righteousness cannot compare to God s perfect righteousness (Isa. 64:6a; Rom. 9:30-33). (5) The character of God demands that our personal sins be judged (Isa. 46:9b; 64:6b; Rom. 8:8). (6) Man s position in Adam as a result of the imputation of his sin (1 Cor. 15:22a). The death of Christ on the cross, which removes the Barrier, is as follows: (1) Redemption resolves man s problem with sin (1 Pet. 1:18-19; Eph. 1:7; Titus 2:14; 1 Tim. 2:6a). (2) The Unlimited Atonement also resolves man s sin problem (1 John 2:2). (3) Expiation resolves man s problem with the penalty of sin, which is spiritual death (Col. 2:14). (4) Regeneration resolves man s problem with being born spiritually dead (John 3:1-18). (5) Imputation resulting in justification resolves the problem of man s relative righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 4:1-5; Gal. 2:16). (6) Propitiation resolves man s problem with the perfect character of God (Rom. 3:22-26; 1 John 2:2). (7) Our position in Christ resolves man s position in Adam (1 Cor. 5:22b; 2 Cor. 5:17) William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15

16 Exodus 26:36-37: Design of the Entrance Curtain And Its Support Posts Exodus 26:36 You shall make a screen for the doorway of the tent of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver. 37 You shall make five pillars of acacia for the screen and overlay them with gold, their hooks also being of gold; and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them. (NASB95) The NET Bible has the following note on these verses, This was another curtain, serving as a screen in the entrance way. Since it was far away from the special curtain screening the Most Holy Place, it was less elaborate. It was not the work of the master designer, but of the embroiderer, and it did not have the cherubim on it. 11 These verses teach that there was yet another curtain, which was not part of the ten that formed the interior sides and ceiling. It was distinct from the dividing veil in front of the holy of holies/most holy place. It hung at the front of the tabernacle and served as an entrance curtain. This veil was designed and composed of the same fabrics and colors as the special veil which separated the holy of holies from the most holy place. However, it did not have cherubim woven into it. Furthermore the bases for the golden posts were to be bronze and not silver (cf. verse 32) since this curtain would be part of the exterior that had bronze throughout. The use of bronze rather than silver represented the fact that the closer a person was to the presence of God, as symbolized by the ark, the closer you were to holiness and glory. Consequently, the farther away you were from the presence of God, there would be less contact with the holiness and glory of God. This curtain mentioned in verses would be supported by five posts or columns and not four as was the case with the inner curtain (cf. verse 32). The same the method for hanging or joining the inner curtains was used for this curtain. Stuart writes We are not told how the five columns of acacia wood overlaid with gold that helped hold this curtain were spaced. If two were at the very edges and three spaced equally along the front, the distance from column to column at the fifteen-foot-wide front of the tabernacle would have been about three feet, nine inches. How this curtain was to be pulled or draped back (or up) is likewise not specified. 12 The NET Bible has an excellent note on this chapter, In all the details of this chapter the expositor should pay attention to the overall message rather than 11 Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Ex 26:34 36). Biblical Studies Press. 12 Stuart, D. K. (2007). Vol. 2: Exodus (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (594). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16

17 engage in speculation concerning the symbolism of the details. It is, after all, the divine instruction for the preparation of the dwelling place for Yahweh. The point could be said this way: The dwelling place of Yahweh must be prepared in accordance with, and by the power of, his divine word. If God was to fellowship with his people, then the center of worship had to be made to his specifications, which were in harmony with his nature. Everything was functional for the approach to God through the ritual by divine provisions. But everything also reflected the nature of God, the symmetry, the order, the pure wood, the gold overlay, or (closer to God) the solid gold. And the symbolism of the light, the table, the veil, the cherubim all of it was revelatory. All of it reflected the reality in heaven. Churches today do not retain the pattern and furnishings of the old tabernacle. However, they would do well to learn what God was requiring of Israel, so that their structures are planned in accordance with the theology of worship and the theology of access to God. Function is a big part, but symbolism and revelation instruct the planning of everything to be used. Christians live in the light of the fulfillment of Christ, and so they know the realities that the old foreshadowed. While a building is not necessary for worship (just as Israel worshiped in places other than the sanctuary), it is practical, and if there is going to be one, then the most should be made of it in the teaching and worshiping of the assembly. This chapter, then, provides an inspiration for believers on preparing a functional, symbolical, ordered place of worship that is in harmony with the word of God. And there is much to be said for making it as beautiful and uplifting as is possible as a gift of freewill offering to God. Of course, the most important part of preparing a place of worship is the preparing of the heart. Worship, to be acceptable to God, must be in Christ. He said that when the temple was destroyed he would raise it up in three days. While he referred to his own body, he also alluded to the temple by the figure. When they put Jesus to death, they were destroying the temple; at his resurrection he would indeed begin a new form of worship. He is the tent, the curtain, the atonement, that the sanctuary foreshadowed. And then, believers also (when they receive Christ) become the temple of the Lord. So the NT will take the imagery and teaching of this chapter in a number of useful ways that call for more study. This does not, however, involve allegorization of the individual tabernacle parts Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Ex 26:37). Biblical Studies Press William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17