CHAPTER 26 -- THE TABERNACLE. THE FURNITURE HAS BEEN DESCRIBED, EXCEPT FOR THE ALTAR OF INCENSE (SEE ITS DESCRIPTION IN
EX 30:1-10); NOW DIRECTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR THE STRUCTURE.
26:1-14, CURTAINS AND COVERINGS FOR THE TABERNACLE.
26:1-6, THE FINE LINEN COVERING.
26:1 MOREOVER THOU SHALT MAKE THE TABERNACLE [WITH] TEN CURTAINS [OF] FINE TWINED LINEN, AND BLUE, AND PURPLE, AND SCARLET: [WITH] CHERUBIM OF CUNNING WORK SHALT THOU MAKE THEM.
A.THOU SHALT MAKE THE TABERNACLE: The people (like us) were not what they should be, but God loved them. He did not want to destroy them; Therefore He told them to build a special place where He would live with them -- Here is the beginning of the detailed instructions.
B.TEN CURTAINS: This is explained in the following verses as being ten pieces which were fastened together to form a single curtain.
C.This seems to have been the inner covering of the Tabernacle, that is, its ceiling.
D.FINE TWINED LINEN: The Egyptians were skilled at making nice linen, and the Jews no doubt had learned to do so from them.
E.BLUE/PURPLE/SCARLET: This seems to have been woolen thread.
F.CHERUBIM OF CUNNING WORK: Literally, "the work of a skilled weaver." The colored threads were to be woven into the LINEN so as to make the CHERUBIM part of the cloth.
26:2 THE LENGTH OF ONE CURTAIN [SHALL BE] EIGHT AND TWENTY CUBITS, AND THE BREADTH OF ONE CURTAIN FOUR CUBITS: AND EVERY ONE OF THE CURTAINS SHALL HAVE ONE MEASURE.
A.Each smaller piece of the large inner curtain was to be forty-two feet long and six feet wide.
B.This would have made the entire curtain sixty feet long (ten pieces, each six feet wide).
C.The boarded space was going to be forty-five feet long, so the inner curtain must have extended out in front fifteen feet.
D.ONE MEASURE: All were to be exactly the same size.
26:3 THE FIVE CURTAINS SHALL BE COUPLED TOGETHER ONE TO ANOTHER; AND [OTHER] FIVE CURTAINS [SHALL BE] COUPLED ONE TO ANOTHER.
26:4 AND THOU SHALT MAKE LOOPS OF BLUE UPON THE EDGE OF THE ONE CURTAIN FROM THE SELVEDGE IN THE COUPLING; AND LIKEWISE SHALT THOU MAKE IN THE UTTERMOST EDGE OF [ANOTHER] CURTAIN, IN THE COUPLING OF THE SECOND.
26:5 FIFTY LOOPS SHALT THOU MAKE IN THE ONE CURTAIN, AND FIFTY LOOPS SHALT THOU MAKE IN THE EDGE OF THE CURTAIN THAT [IS] IN THE COUPLING OF THE SECOND; THAT THE LOOPS MAY TAKE HOLD ONE OF ANOTHER.
26:6 AND THOU SHALT MAKE FIFTY TACHES OF GOLD, AND COUPLE THE CURTAINS TOGETHER WITH THE TACHES: AND IT SHALL BE ONE TABERNACLE.
A.The ten separate pieces were to be sewn together into two large curtains with five sections each.
B.There were to be fifty loops of blue cloth along one of the wider sides of each curtain, then the two curtains were to be fastened together at the loops with fifty gold TACHES (hooks or clasps), making them into the single large covering.
C.The reason for two pieces may have been to make the covering easier to fold and to carry when they had to move.
D.The inner covering having been explained, the directions now proceed to the external coverings.
26:7-13, THE TABERNACLE COVERING MADE OF THE HAIR OF GOATS.
26:7 AND THOU SHALT MAKE CURTAINS [OF] GOATS' [HAIR] TO BE A COVERING UPON THE TABERNACLE: ELEVEN CURTAINS SHALT THOU MAKE.
26:8 THE LENGTH OF ONE CURTAIN [SHALL BE] THIRTY CUBITS, AND THE BREADTH OF ONE CURTAIN FOUR CUBITS: AND THE ELEVEN CURTAINS [SHALL BE ALL] OF ONE MEASURE.
A.GOAT'S HAIR was to be the material for the first covering.
B.They were to make ELEVEN sections forty-five feet by six feet, which were to be joined together according to directions given in the following Verses.
C.This would make the covering sixty-six feet (11 X 6) long, so the tent extended over the forty-five foot Tabernacle by sev-eral feet on each end, or else all on one end (making a porch about twenty feet deep).
26:9 AND THOU SHALT COUPLE FIVE CURTAINS BY THEMSELVES, AND SIX CURTAINS BY THEMSELVES, AND SHALT DOUBLE THE SIXTH CURTAIN IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE TABERNACLE.
A.This would make two large pieces, we assume for convenience in handling and transporting.
B.One piece was five panels, the other six. The sixth panel was to be doubled back in some way, perhaps half upon itself.
26:10 AND THOU SHALT MAKE FIFTY LOOPS ON THE EDGE OF THE ONE CURTAIN [THAT IS] OUTMOST IN THE COUPLING, AND FIFTY LOOPS IN THE EDGE OF THE CURTAIN WHICH COUPLETH THE SECOND.
26:11 AND THOU SHALT MAKE FIFTY TACHES OF BRASS, AND PUT THE TACHES INTO THE LOOPS, AND COUPLE THE TENT TOGETHER, THAT IT MAY BE ONE.
A.FIFTY LOOPS were to be placed along one of the wider sides of each panel.
B.The two panels were to be fastened together at the loops with fifty bronze hooks.
26:12 AND THE REMNANT THAT REMAINETH OF THE CURTAINS OF THE TENT, THE HALF CURTAIN THAT REMAINETH, SHALL HANG OVER THE BACKSIDE OF THE TABERNACLE.
26:13 AND A CUBIT ON THE ONE SIDE, AND A CUBIT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT WHICH REMAINETH IN THE LENGTH OF THE CURTAINS OF THE TENT, IT SHALL HANG OVER THE SIDES OF THE TABERNACLE ON THIS SIDE AND ON THAT SIDE, TO COVER IT.
**The covering of goat hair would be larger than the Tabernacle, so eighteen inches of the material was to be folded down on each side as a protective coating.
26:14, THE OUTER TWO COVERINGS FOR PROTECTION.
26:14 AND THOU SHALT MAKE A COVERING FOR THE TENT [OF] RAMS' SKINS DYED RED, AND A COVERING ABOVE [OF] BADGERS' SKINS.
**Two more coverings (over the one of goat hair) were to be made: One of rams' skins, and the other of badgers' skins.
26:15-30, THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE TABERNACLE ITSELF.
26:15 AND THOU SHALT MAKE BOARDS FOR THE TABERNACLE [OF] ACACIA WOOD STANDING UP.
26:16 TEN CUBITS [SHALL BE] THE LENGTH OF A BOARD, AND A CUBIT AND A HALF [SHALL BE] THE BREADTH OF ONE BOARD.
A.This would be the framework for the Tabernacle.
B.Each piece of the frame was to be fifteen feet high and twenty-seven inches wide. There are no Acacia Trees now in
the Sinai Peninsula large enough to produce boards this size; Either there were larger trees then, or these boards were made of two or more smaller planks.
C.The boards were to be STANDING UP, not on the ground, but by resting on bases of silver - Verse 19, "And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards...."
26:17 TWO TENONS [SHALL THERE BE] IN ONE BOARD, SET IN ORDER ONE AGAINST ANOTHER: THUS SHALT THOU MAKE FOR ALL THE BOARDS OF THE TABERNACLE.
26:18 AND THOU SHALT MAKE THE BOARDS FOR THE TABERNACLE, TWENTY BOARDS ON THE SOUTH SIDE SOUTHWARD.
26:19 AND THOU SHALT MAKE FORTY SOCKETS OF SILVER UNDER THE TWENTY BOARDS; TWO SOCKETS UNDER ONE BOARD FOR HIS TWO TENONS, AND TWO SOCKETS UNDER ANOTHER BOARD FOR HIS TWO TENONS.
A.A TENON was a projection or peg, maybe of metal, maybe of wood; Two of them in the bottom end of each board.
B.These projections fitted into the SOCKETS OF SILVER.
C.TWENTY BOARDS: Each was a cubit and a half wide (Verse 16), so the length of the Tabernacle was thirty cubits, or forty-five feet.
D.FORTY SOCKETS OF SILVER: Each socket weighed a talent (perhaps about ninety pounds). It is supposed that they did not just stand on the ground, but were placed into the ground, making the boards to rest at ground level, and adding to the strength and stability of the structure.
26:20 AND FOR THE SECOND SIDE OF THE TABERNACLE ON THE NORTH SIDE [THERE SHALL BE] TWENTY BOARDS:
26:21 AND THEIR FORTY SOCKETS [OF] SILVER; TWO SOCKETS UNDER ONE BOARD, AND TWO SOCKETS UNDER ANOTHER BOARD.
A.Twenty boards or frames were to be used along both the south and north sides of the Tabernacle.
B.Two silver stands were to stand under each board, with sockets in which the pegs would fit, so the boards could be joined together, thus making the walls.
26:22 AND FOR THE SIDES OF THE TABERNACLE WESTWARD THOU SHALT MAKE SIX BOARDS.
A.They seemed to think it natural to look to the east and to regard the east as being in front, thus making the west to be behind, the north on the left, and the south on the right.
B.Since the sun would shine on the south side (Northern Hemi-sphere), it was regarded as being of superior dignity, and thus the north side is called THE SECOND SIDE (Verse 20).
C.Along the west side (the back) there were to be SIX BOARDS.
26:23 AND TWO BOARDS SHALT THOU MAKE FOR THE CORNERS OF THE TABERNACLE IN THE TWO SIDES.
26:24 AND THEY SHALL BE COUPLED TOGETHER BENEATH, AND THEY SHALL BE COUPLED TOGETHER ABOVE THE HEAD OF IT UNTO ONE RING: THUS SHALL IT BE FOR THEM BOTH; THEY SHALL BE FOR THE TWO CORNERS.
26:25 AND THEY SHALL BE EIGHT BOARDS, AND THEIR SOCKETS [OF] SILVER, SIXTEEN SOCKETS; TWO SOCKETS UNDER ONE BOARD, AND TWO SOCKETS UNDER ANOTHER BOARD.
A.There were to be two more boards or frames at the southwest and northwest corners.
B.These boards were to be fastened together to make corners, and all of them to be set in SILVER SOCKETS.
C.If there was no overlapping at the corners (there may have been), the Tabernacle was eight boards wide, each board being a cubit and a half wide (Verse 16) -- This would be a total of twelve cubits, or eighteen feet wide. Some think there was an overlap at each corner and that the Tabernacle was about fif-teen feet wide.
26:26 AND THOU SHALT MAKE BARS [OF] ACACIA WOOD; FIVE FOR THE BOARDS OF THE ONE SIDE OF THE TABERNACLE,
26:27 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 TWO SIDES WESTWARD.
26:28 AND THE MIDDLE BAR IN THE MIDST OF THE BOARDS SHALL REACH FROM END TO END.
A.There were to be five crossbars for each board, to keep the boards together and give stability to the structure.
B.The center crossbar would run the full length of the wall.
C.It is not said whether the bars were inside or outside.
26:29 AND THOU SHALT OVERLAY THE BOARDS WITH GOLD, AND MAKE THEIR RINGS [OF] GOLD [FOR] PLACES FOR THE BARS: AND THOU SHALT OVERLAY THE BARS WITH GOLD.
**Every board or frame and every crossbar was to be covered with gold, and there were to be solid gold rings attached to the boards through which the crossbars would run.
26:30 AND THOU SHALT REAR UP THE TABERNACLE ACCORDING TO THE FASHION THEREOF WHICH WAS SHEWED THEE IN THE MOUNT.
A.When all was prepared, then the Tabernacle was to be erected.
B.Note the emphasis on the pattern Moses had been given.
26:31-37, THE CURTAIN (OR VEIL) INSIDE THE SACRED TENT.
26:31 AND THOU SHALT MAKE A VEIL [OF] BLUE, AND PURPLE, AND SCARLET, AND FINE TWINED LINEN OF CUNNING WORK: WITH CHERUBIM SHALL IT BE MADE:
26:32 AND THOU SHALT HANG IT UPON FOUR PILLARS OF ACACIA [WOOD] OVERLAID WITH GOLD: THEIR HOOKS [SHALL BE OF] GOLD, UPON THE FOUR SOCKETS OF SILVER.
26:33 AND THOU SHALT HANG UP THE VEIL UNDER THE TACHES, THAT THOU MAYEST BRING IN THITHER WITHIN THE VEIL THE ARK OF THE TESTIMONY: AND THE VEIL SHALL DIVIDE UNTO YOU BETWEEN THE HOLY [PLACE] AND THE MOST HOLY.
A.The curtain which was to be made was for the purpose of separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
B.This curtain was to be woven of fine linen with blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and into the texture artistic weavers were to weave figures of winged creatures.
C.Four posts to hold the curtain were to be covered with gold and set in silver stands.
D.Gold hooks were to be fastened to the posts, and then the curtain was to be hung there.
26:34 AND THOU SHALT PUT THE MERCY SEAT UPON THE ARK OF THE TESTIMONY IN THE MOST HOLY [PLACE].
A.THAT THOU MAYEST BRING IN...THE ARK OF THE TESTIMONY: The ARK containing the Tables Of Stone was to be in the innermost recess of the Tabernacle.
B.On the ark was to be the MERCY SEAT with its cherubim; That was where God would dwell among His people.
26:35 AND THOU SHALT SET THE TABLE WITHOUT THE VEIL, AND THE CANDLESTICK OVER AGAINST THE TABLE ON THE SIDE OF THE TABERNACLE TOWARD THE SOUTH: AND THOU SHALT PUT THE TABLE ON THE NORTH SIDE.
A.Outside the curtain, that is, in the Holy Place, was to be the Lampstand (Candlestick) on the right (south) side, and the Table of Showbread on the left (north) side.
B.OVER AGAINST: That is, on the other side.
26:36-37, THE ENTRANCE TO THE TABERNACLE.
26:36 AND THOU SHALT MAKE AN HANGING FOR THE DOOR OF THE TENT, [OF] BLUE, AND PURPLE, AND SCARLET, AND FINE TWINED LINEN, WROUGHT WITH NEEDLEWORK.
**A HANGING: To cover the entrance to the Tabernacle, there was to be a piece of fine linen woven with blue, purple, and red wool, decorated with fancy needlework.
26:37 AND THOU SHALT MAKE FOR THE HANGING FIVE PILLARS [OF] ACACIA [WOOD], AND OVERLAY THEM WITH GOLD, [AND] THEIR HOOKS [SHALL BE OF] GOLD: AND THOU SHALT CAST FIVE SOCKETS OF BRASS FOR THEM.
A.To support the curtain covering the entrance there were to be FIVE PILLARS (posts) covered with gold, having gold hooks fastened to them, and each resting on a bronze stand.
B.It is supposed by those who try to draw or reconstruct this building that the center PILLAR (post) was one of the two tent poles, which supported between them a ridge-pole, over which were placed the three coverings that made the roof. They say it would seem logical that these two were about fifteen cubits high, to give a slope to the roof.
C.The two PILLARS next to the center one were perhaps ten cubits high and were in line with the two walls; then the outside PILLARS would be about five cubits and would support the outer edges of the roof covering.
D.THEIR HOOKS: Where the curtain was attached.
E.SOCKETS OF BRASS (bronze): Probably set into the ground.
F.After reading all this about the Tabernacle, someone (R. L. Whiteside?) commented, "It must have been a very splendid object, indeed, and very beautiful with its many colors."
THE SYMBOLISM OF THE TABERNACLE STRUCTURE
NOTE: First consider the entire structure: It is not in any sense a type of our meetinghouses; The Israelites did not assemble inside the Tabernacle. But the various components
of the structure may be seen to represent spiritual concepts:
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ") are privileged to enter. Here is the light of His Word, and the eating at His Table. Only those inside could see all the beauty that went into its construc-tion -- Those outside could see little more than goat hair and animal skin. So it is now that the church is valued as it should be only by those who are in fellowship with God -- They recognize the great wonder that God today dwells not in taber-nacles or temples made with hands, but in those who believe.
4.THE GOLDEN ALTAR: As the incense fumes could go through the veil which shut out the priest who offered the incense, so prayer can go where the worshipper cannot go.
5.THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK: No lamp was needed for the Most Holy Place, because God in His Glory was there. No lamp will be needed in Heaven - Rev 21:23 ("And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof"). While we are on this side of the curtain, in the Holy Place, we must have illumination - Cf Psa 119:105.
6.THE GOLDEN TABLE: This was furnished week by week with food for the priests. So, in the church, each week there is a time of sweet fellowship as we who are priests eat with our Savior.
7.THE ENTRANCE CURTAIN: Symbolizes the division between the church and the world. Like the church, the outside of the Tabernacle, which was mostly skins, was not distinguished in appearance, but inside dwelled the glory of God. Those out-side the church may have curiosity, but most of them have little real interest in the blessings on the inside.
8.TENONS AND SOCKETS: These might indicate the church's being on earth, but being detached from it ("in the world, but not of it"). As with the Tabernacle, so with the church -- Here there is no permanent resting place. Christ built the church, it is His; "While it touches earth, it belongs to Heaven."
9.THE OUTER COURT: Here were the altar and the laver, showing that sacrifice and purification must come before communion. See Jn 1:29; Ac 22:16; etc. If we ever want to come to live in God's Presence in Heaven, we must approach step by step from the outer court, through sacrifice and cleansing, and into the Holy Place with its illumination and communion.
VIEW TRANSPARENCIES ON THE TABERNACLE (T-13 IN SERMON FILES)
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