The instructions for the sanctuary can be found in Exodus 24-31.
The congregation could see the tabernacle over the courtyard enclosure. It was erected in the back half of the courtyard towards the west fence.
The enclosure, a white linen fence, had a gate at the eastern end. As stated previously in a post, this singular entryway represented Christ as the only means of entering into covenant with God (John 10:1, 9). This is reminiscent of the single entrance into the ark, which was the only way that led to salvation for those who entered in.
The same idea continues when it comes to the Tabernacle. There was a veil, called the door, that led the priest into the Holy Place and it was the only way in the compartment. And, as we will see in upcoming posts, there was a veil that separated the Holy from the Most Holy Place and it too was the only way the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement.
Notice that the movement is from the east towards the west. “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24.27. cf: Luke 17:24.
The Construction of the Tabernacle
The distinguished tabernacle, was a tent-type structure. The tabernacle consisted of two compartments; the first was the Holy Place and the second was the Most Holy Place – sometimes called the Holy of Holies or Holiest of Holies (Exodus 26:33). The two compartments were separated by a very thick veil.
The Outer Walls
The wilderness tabernacle, also called the sanctuary, was a simple tent-type structure measuring 15 feet wide by 45 feet long and 15 feet high (based on an 18-inch cubit). It was erected within the courtyard more towards the west end. It was made of shittim wood, generally understood to be acacia—a very durable, long-lasting wood. The boards covered in gold, erected upright side by side, and placed in silver sockets. They established the north, south, and west walls of the tabernacle. Of interest, silver represents purity (sanctification) and redemption. And, we know that it was the precious blood of Jesus that redeems us, but the imagery of silver helps us understand that Jesus paid a goodly price for his bride*. See: Psalm 12:6, Lev. 5:15-16, 1 Peter 1:18-20.
Notes:
-Shittim and acacia are interchangeable terms for the wood used.
– If an Egyptian cubit of 20.6 inches was used it would be slightly larger.
-The terms: tabernacle, sanctuary, tent or tent of meeting refer to the structure that Moses built according to God’s blueprint. The terms can be used interchangeably so context is important to garner whether it is the entire structure or a portion such as the first and/or second compartments. The word ‘sanctuary’ itself can reference the earthly as well as the heavenly. Context is critical for understanding
The Tabernacle Entryways and Coverings
Curtains were constructed to cover the entire tabernacle. The curtains were made of fine twined linen of blue, purple, and scarlet; with artistic designs of cherubims. The curtains were coupled together and hung according to God’s instructions.
There were two entrances in the tabernacle:
1. The veil, called the door, that divided the courtyard from the Holy Place, located at the east end of the tabernacle structure. This curtain hung on five pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold, and hooked together with gold; these pillars rested in sockets of brass. This veil was the door through which the priests (lineage of Aaron) would gain entrance into the Holy Place.
2. The veil that divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This veil had three huge figures of cherubims woven into it. This curtain hung on four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: and hooked together with gold, these pillars rested in sockets of silver. Only the high priest entered into this compartment once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The veil that separated the Holy from the Most Holy Place was rent in two from top to bottom, at Christ’s death upon the cross; which now permits the believer in His atonement immediate access to the Most Holy Place. More on this later in another post.
Note: We already spoke about the gate that was on the east end of the white linen fence that surrounded the courtyard in Part 3 of this series. Please go back and read if needed.
The Coverings (that draped over the tabernacle (The Holy Place and The Most Holy Place):
1. The first covering was made of fine twined linen, of blue, purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work (Ex. 26:1). It could only be seen from inside the tabernacle for it was the first layer of covering. See Part 3, ‘The Gates Needlework’ section, for the meaning of the colors.
Over the fine twined linen covering were three additional coverings, which hung down lower than the twined linen and at an angle and held with guy wires and pegs.
2. The first of these was made of goat hair,
The third covering was (black) goat hair. It was made from 11 individual goat hair curtains, which measure 30 cubits long by 4 cubits wide. The covering was divided into 2 sections, the front half being made of 6 curtains and the back half made of 5 curtains. Along each inside edge of the two halves were 50 loops connected by 50 copper (brass) hooks.
The goat’s hair covering reminds us of the most Holy day of the year, The Day of Atonement. On that day two goats were used as part of one offering to God. This is why there are two sections in the covering: one for each goat. One goat was slain and the High Priest sprinkled its blood on the Mercy Seat. From the time of Adam and Eve’s sin until the time of Jesus we see a trail of blood sacrifices.
Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
The High Priest laid his hands on the head of the second goat, the scapegoat, and confessed the sins of the people of Israel. It was then let go into the uninhabited wilderness. The sins of the people were covered only; this process did not take them away. This is why the sacrifices had to be repeated. After Jesus died in our place and took on Himself the sins of the world it was no longer necessary to repeat the sacrifice for our sin.
Hebrews 10:10 “… we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The twofold significance of the goats is therefore that God wants to forgive and to forget. He desires to remove from His people not only the guilt of sin, but also His memory of that sin, so that we may be reconciled to Him.
3. The second was of ram skins dyed red, and
The second covering was the ram skin dyed red. This is to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus and the shedding of His precious blood. The rams had to die before the skins could be obtained. These red ram skins covered the entire tabernacle. This may be taken to represent the fact of that the precious blood of Jesus must cover and protect everything connected with the life of the believer.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Peter tells us here that the blood of Messiah only redeems us. NOTHING else.
Notice this roof covers all of the wooden walls. Among other things, the wood symbolizes the believers (Genesis 1:11, 2:7-9, 22:6; Exodus 3:2; Ezekiel 15:1-3; Psalms 1:3, 92:12; John 15:5; Matthew 13:31; Jeremiah 23:5; Proverbs 3:18, 11:30; Isaiah 44:3, 55:10-11, 65:22; Acts 5:30, 10:39, 13:29). Therefore, this covering shows us that we (believers) are all covered with the blood of Jesus. See: Jeremiah 23:5, Acts 10:39, 13:29.
The ram was used as a substitute for Isaac (Gen. 22) and was also used by Aaron and his sons when they were consecrated for the priesthood (Ex. 29).
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
Notice that the black (goat), which makes us think of sin; is covered by red (ram), which symbolizes Jesus’ blood. Jesus blood covers our sins. In fact, it washes them away! Hallelujah!
4. the third of badger skin, which gave durable protection from the elements.
The outer most covering was the marine animal skin (referred to in KJV as badger skin) It was probably selected because of its durability. This layer would take the punishment of the elements. It is estimated to have required 1,000 to 1,500 skins to make.
This outer covering was very plain by the world’s standards and reminds us of the words of the prophet Isaiah referring to the coming Messiah:
Isaiah 53:1-3 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The word “dwelt” here is “tabernacled”. Jesus was the “Word” he was and is God. Just as during the time of the Tabernacle and Temple, The Holy Spirit dwelt in the Tabernacle so Jesus dwelt (tabernacled) with us. Rev. 21:3.
The Holy Place Veil (Door) Ex. 26:37
For this part of the series we will focus on the second veil (door to the Holy Place). The second curtain guarded the door to the Holy Place. This veil separated the people in outer court of the tabernacle from the Holy Place. Only priests were permitted to enter into the Holy Place after they had made the proper sacrifice at the altar and washing at the bronze laver. Note: We will learn about the final curtain, referred to as The Veil, that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place; when we study about The Most Holy Place.
The veil was called “The Door”. There were five pillars that supported the Door. These were made of shittim wood and overlaid with gold. The sockets for the Door were made of brass. Note Some translations translate the wood as acacia.
God specified the exact materials and proportions to Moses that were to be used in the Tabernacle, in order to convey eternal truths to us:
- Five Pillars. Shittim wood overlaid with gold is such a beautiful picture of Christ. The wood represents earth and that He took on human flesh to die upon a tree for us, and the gold signified His heavenly divine nature and truth (2 Timothy 2:20; Rev. 21:18-21; 1 Cor. 3:11-13). Both God and Man in the one Person, who was the sinless, guiltless sacrifice for the human race.
Point of interest, in the courtyard brass is the main material used, as seen in the Altar and Laver. Brass signifying God’s judgment (Deut. 28:22-23, side note: iron in the text symbolizes bondage). However, in the Holy Place it is a very different case. Gold is used extensively in the Holy Place and here, in the pillars of the Door accessing the Holy Place, we see for the first time the use of gold.
- Fabric of the Veil. The material was fine white linen, a picture of Christ’s righteousness – just like we found in the courtyard fence. The colors blue, scarlet, and purple were used. The color blue pointed to His heavenly nature and heavenly abode. The color scarlet pointed to His sacrifice (blood) and redemption. The color purple represented His Kingly nature, royalty.
- Brass Sockets. Brass signifies God’s judgment and is used only in the courtyard of the sanctuary. Remember, the veil separated the courtyard from the Holy Place. So, while the five pillars point to Jesus in His dual nature of God and Man, they also point to judgment (brass) and grace/mercy/favor (five, the number of pillars). There was only one place where God’s judgment and His mercy/grace met – and that is the cross of Jesus Christ.
As we saw in an earlier post on the Altar of Burnt Offering, Christ upon the cross paid the wages of sin on our behalf. So, now as we pass through this Door into the Holy Place we see once again that the only way to enter fellowship with God is through the atoning work of His Son.
“I am the Way…No one comes to the Father but through me.” To approach the Father is only possible through the one Door, Jesus Christ. Scripture also tells He is our Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14).
The entire structure and all its parts had meaning for those who lived and saw it and even for us today as we look back upon it. It all point to Christ and his work on our behalf to justify, sanctify, and ultimately glorify his people, for it is the complete message of salvation. This series does not cover every single aspect of the symbolism, but covers enough for us to understand that God illustrates his magnificent plan to save us so that we might understand the magnitude of the gift offered to all.
In the next three parts we will study the furniture associated with the Holy Place and the Veil that separated the Holy from the Most Holy Place.
*Christ was about 33 ½ years of age when he was crucified. The value of a male servant was set at 50 shekels of silver in the book of Leviticus. Then why was he sold for 30 shekels of silver? According to the prophecy in Zechariah the Lord said that the price was a goodly price. Why was it a goodly price? The answer is that the Lord came to redeem his bride. The value of his bride in bondage as a servant would have been 30 shekels of silver and not 50 shekels of silver. Jesus did not come to redeem himself as he had no need for redemption. He came to redeem his elect people, his bride. She was the one who was sold into the bondage of sin and required redemption. Jesus gave his life for the redemption of his bride, the elect family of God. See: Leviticus 27:3-7; also an example was Joseph in Genesis 37:28, and Christ in Zechariah 11:12-13 and Matthew 26:15, 27:3,9.