SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 26
IMPORTANT VERSE:
“Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.” (Exodus 26:30)
THE TABERNACLE (vs. 10-37)
“Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim worked into them by a skilled craftsman. All the curtains are to be the same size – twenty -eight cubits long and four cubits wide. Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five. Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set. Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit.
“Make curtains of goat hair of the tent over the tabernacle – eleven altogether. All eleven curtains are to be the same size – thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit. As for the additional length of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the tabernacle. The tent curtains will be a cubit longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it. Make for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of hides of sea cows.
Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide, with two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle and make four silver bases to go under them – two bases for each frame, one under each projection. For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames and forty silver bases – two under each frame. Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, and make two frames for the corners at the far end. At these two corners they must be doubled from the bottom all the way to the top, and fitted into a single ring; both shall be like that. So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases – two under each frame.
Also make crossbars of acacia wood; five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames. Overlay the frames with gold and make a gold ring is to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.
“Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.
“Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman. Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the most High Place. Put the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place. Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lamp-stand opposite it on the south side.
“For the entrance to the tent, make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen – the work of an embroiderer. Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.
THOUGHTS (From Life Application Study Bible)
The curtain separated the two sacred rooms in the Tabernacle – the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The priest entered the Holy Place each day to commune with God and to tend to the altar of incense, the lampstand, and the table with the Bread of the Presence. The Moist Holy Place was where God himself dwelt, his presence resting on the atonement cover, which covered the Ark of the Covenant. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place. Even he could do so, only once a year (on the Day of Atonement) to make atonement for the sins of the nation as a whole. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, the curtain in the Temple (which had replaced the Tabernacle) tore from top to bottom, symbolizing free access to God because of Jesus’ death. no longer did people have to approach God through priests and sacrifices.
THOUGHTS (By Warren Wiersbe)
There were 10 curtains, 50 loops, 50 clasps, 40 sockets, 20 boards, 2 veils – yet it was one sanctuary. There is unity in diversity.
There was only one plan for the tabernacle that came from God. Man’s cleverness and wisdom may bring success in the things of the world, but they will destroy the work of the Lord. So, be sure you get your plan from heaven and not from the world.
There was one set of measurements for the building. When we measure ministry by God’s standards, we will have unity, but if we use our own standards, there will be division.