The Tabernacle: God's Dwelling Among His People

Cutaway of the tabernacle

I. The Tabernacle’s Coverings, Exodus 26:1-14.

Thes coverings were each of different material, draped over the walls to provide a ceiling, beauty and a protective cover for the entire Tabernacle-tent. Draping completely to the ground, you could not see from the outside the gold veneered walls.

The coverings of the Tabernacle, four in number, starting with the

linen covering (vs. 1-2, 6), which was composed of four different colors and woven into it were cherubim for beauty. These ten curtains were each 42 feet by 6 feet in size. Five curtains were to be coupled together. The outer edge of the each set of joined curtains was to have loops of blue or violet, 50 in number. The side opposite was to be attached to the second set of curtains by fifty clasps of gold making one unit. The clasps held the two joined curtains to each other; opposite the clasps would be the blue or violet loops. Then there is ...

the goats’ hair covering (vs. 7-8, 13), a durable woven material, giving protection to the beautiful linen covering from stains, etc. from the leather coverings above it. This material is still used today by the Bedouins for their own tents. There was eleven of these curtains to be made, each one measuring 45 feet long by 6 feet wide. Five were to be coupled together, the remaining 6 were to be coupled together as well and the sixth curtain would be doubled over at the front of the tent. It was to have fifty loops on the two outermost sides and attached to each other by fifty clasps made of brass. The excess of the curtain (this was larger than the fine linen covering) would completely cover the Tabernacle. Over this was ...

The rams’ skin covering (v. 14), which would protect the tabernacle under-coverings from the weather and moisture. It would also had weight, helping to keep the two inner covers in place. Red was the typical color of dyed rams’ skin. It emphasized that this skin was to be of the highest quality and tanned well. Then over all would be ...

The “porpoise skins” (NASB) covering (v. 14). We do not know really from what manner of mammal these skins are. It served as an additional weatherproof and waterproof covering. They also would cover the glory of the LORD and His dwelling.

The outward appearance of the coverings would not be very attractive, but if your were to look up from the inside, its appearance would be beautiful. In this way the Tabernacle foreshadows Jesus, especially in His outward appearance.

Outwardly, Isaiah 53:2

Isaiah 53:2 NASB95

For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

Paul described Jesus, Philippians 2:6-7

Philippians 2:6–7 NASB95

who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

But inwardly, for those who are redeemed, John 1:14

John 1:14 NASB95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Spiritual things are like this as well. They do not appeal to the flesh, but to the spiritual they are very attractive.

II. The walls of the Tabernacle, 26:15-30

The walls of the Tabernacle were made of acacia wood, each board 15 feet long and 27 inches wide. Because the Hebrew word for “boards” is uncertain, it is not clear whether the boards were solid or simply “frames” (NIV). If frames, the priests inside the Tabernacle would be able to see through the frames to the beautiful tapestries on the innermost covering, as well as looking up and the curtains unobstructed. “Frames” seem to be preferred. They would be easier to take apart and transport when the Tabernacle was to be moved to the Israelites’ next destination.

The two tenons per frame were to fit into sockets made of silver, which formed the base of each frame. The frames they were to make were to number twenty for the south side and twenty for the north side, with 40 sockets of silver for each side. The rear, or west side, of the Tabernacle was to have six frames, with two stabilizing corners, exactly the same at the bottom, perfectly symmetrical and joined alike at their peak, where there was a special ring. The description in verse 25 gives the total of eight frames, with sixteen sockets of silver.

For additional stability, the instructions also included the construction of stabilizing bars made of acacia wood. Placed at right angles to the frames, the north, south and west sides of the tabernacle, 5 of these stabilizing bars were added to provide additional strength to support the considerable weight of the coverings as well as for inclement weather that would occur. They were fastened to the frames by gold rings; the bars passing through the rings.

All the frames and bars of acacia wood were to be overlaid with gold.

All of this construction, the LORD reminds Moses, is to be “according to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain” (v. 30). This was God’s design, God’s pattern and it was a earthly depiction of heavenly realities.

III. The veils of the Tabernacle, 25:31-37.

The two veils described in these verses are the inner veil, which was the doorway to the Holy of Holies, and the outer veil, the doorway of the Tabernacle. Along with the curtain that was “the gate of the court” (Exodus 27:16), these performed two basic functions: they acted as a barrier between God and Man, and they permitted access to worship after the priests had met the required conditions set forth in the Mosaic law.

A. The inner veil, vs. 31-33.

inner veil

The inner veil described in these verses was a beautiful. costly, skillful piece of work. The material was expensive enough, but skillfully woven into the material were figures of cherubim, the guardians of God’s presence and His worship. Cherubim were placed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were driven out to protect the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). The veil was very ornate, matching the ceiling .

There were four pillars which would be the supports for this veil. Made of Acacia wood and overlaid with god, they stood on four sockets of silver, matching the sockets of the exterior frames.

The gold hooks on the pillars were used to hang the veil by its clasps, undoubtedly of gold as well.

B. The distinction in rooms/area, verses 33-35.

The LORD uses this inner veil to make a distinction between what is holy and less holy, using this to teach His people about His holiness. Where He is is holy because He dwells there; His presence makes the difference. Remember Moses meeting God at the burning bush:

Exodus 3:5

Exodus 3:5 NASB95

Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

The area behind the inner veil becomes the Holy of Holies, separated from the Holy place. Into this area (vs. 33-34) is placed the most holy of the Tabernacle furnishings, the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat with the tablets containing the Ten Words and the jar of manna inside the Ark.

No dimension is given for this veil, but it must have been 15 feet by 15 feet or a little less. It closed off the view of the Holy of Holies, which could be entered only once a year, on the Day of Atonement , and only by the high priest following specific guidelines.

Outside the Holy of Holies, instructions are given for the placement of the other furnishings and utensils for the Tabernacle: the Table of Incense, placed before the inner veil; the Golden Lampstand on the south side, opposite the Table of Show-bread on the north side.

It is this veil which was torn in two from the top at the death of Jesus on the cross, as recorded by Matthew , Mark, and Luke in the gospels bearing their names.

We as believers are reminded of the wonder of our access to the living God, made possible by Christ’s completed work on the cross, Hebrews 4:16.

Hebrews 4:16 NASB95

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It was at this point that God proclaimed to the Jewish people and the world that the ministration of the Jewish priesthood had ended. No longer was a high priest needed to annually atone for sin. Jesus, the true high priest, had opened the way for mankind to come into the presence of God through His atoning blood (Heb. 6:19; 9:3-15; 10:19-20).

Hebrews 6:19 NASB95

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,

Hebrews 9:3–15 NASB95

Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 10:19–20 NASB95

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,

C. The outer veil, verses 36-37

The outer veil is described, using the same costly, beautiful fabric as the inner veil, but without the cherubim skillfully woven into it. For the hanging of the outer veil their were to be five pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold with gold hooks set in five sockets made of bronze, not silver. The outer veil would be subject to the outside weather and be therefore made more sturdy. It served as the door through which the priests would enter the Holy Place.

Though no dimensions are given, the probable dimensions of this outer veil were 15 feet by 15 feet or a little less.

These veils effectively divide the Tabernacle area into different zones were God Himself will designate the ministrations of the priests before Him. Each area had a prescribed ritual, ceremony and worship, the LORD Himself establishing a difference between them.

IV. Our privilege today as Christians.

For Christians, the rent veil means that we have a mediating high priest (1 Tim. 2:5) who has opened the way for us to have access to the throne of God. It means that we can come at any time into the presence of God with the confidence that we will obtain mercy and find grace to help us in any need we wish to express.

Since we have the high and holy privilege of entering into God’s presence, we are exhorted to exercise a fourfold commitment to the Lord, as expressed in Hebrews 10:22-25.

First, we are to be cleansed for worship, v. 22. We are not to stand far off from God but we are to “draw near” to Him. This involves four conditions that must be met before we can come:

Condition #1: Come with a “true heart,” meaning come in purity and with truthful motives.

Condition #2: Come in “full assurance of faith,” anticipating the appropriating of all that God has promised to do for those who come before Him in a right relationship.

Condition #3 & 4: Come “having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Just as the high priest before He could approach God, had to be sprinkled with the blood of the sacrifice and wash his body at the laver, so we too must experience the cleansing power of Christ’s blood, freeing us from an evil conscience of sin, so that we can come into God’s presence with bold confidence in our worship.

Second, we are exhorted to have a bold confidence before the world, v. 23. Rely on God’s strength and faithful ness, not our own, for he said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”

Third, we are to exhort others to a life of commitment in the work, v. 24. This means that we are to continually care for the spiritual welfare of fellow Christians to stimulate them to lives of love and good works in their walk before fellow believers and the world, each exercising the spiritual gifts that have been given by the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we are exhorted not to forsake corporate worship, v. 25. It has been especially easy to abandon the local church in this season of history, with pandemic restrictions. Now with those slowly easing, that should not be an issue, yet the Scripture indicates that in the latter days this will characterize the local church. Instead, we are to exhort each other to continue gathering together, especially when we know that the Lord’s coming is near.

We have this glorious privilege of approaching God directly. Do not erect for yourself a veil of cooling commitment, faulty faith, lost love for the Lord, slackness of service for the Lord, or forsaken fellowship with the family of God. May your commitment be to surrender all to Jesus. After all, Jesus surrendered all for you!