Exodus 26.1-14-The Design Of The Inner And Protective Curtains And Weathering Coverings Of The Tabernacle
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Sunday April 8, 2012
Journey Through The Bible Series: Exodus 26:1-14-The Design Of The Inner And Protective Curtains And Weather Coverings Of The Tabernacle
Lesson # 30
Please turn in your Bibles to Exodus 26:1.
Exodus chapter 25 focused upon the furniture in tabernacle whereas chapter 26 focuses upon the tabernacle itself, which symbolized God’s dwelling among His people (25:8; 29:45).
The tabernacle protected four pieces of furniture, namely the Ark of the Covenant, table of showbread and the lampstand as well as 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 (מִקְדָּשׁ) (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 (אֹהֶל) (o´-hel) (noun), “tent” (Exodus 26:36; 29:42-43; 35:21): Emphasizes the imminence of God. (4) miš·kǎn hā ʿē·ḏǔṯ (מִשְׁכַּ֣ן הָעֵדֻ֔ת), “tabernacle of the testimony” (Exodus 38:21): Indicates that the structure was the repository of the Ten Commandments.
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 Tabernacle was composed of two parts: (1) The Tabernacle proper (Hebrew: mishkan) (2) The “tent over the tabernacle” (ohel, Ex. 26:7).
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 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).” (Notes on Exodus, 2003 Edition, Dr. Thomas Constable; pages 134-135; Published by Sonic Light; www.soniclight.com/)
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.”
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 fifteen feet high.
The floor space was of course divided in a two-thirds and one-third 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 “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 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.
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).”
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).” (Unger, Merrill F., Unger’s Commentary on the Old Testament; pages 134-135; Tyndale Theological Seminary Published by AMG Publishers, 2002)