The tabernacle was a very holy place where God dwelled, and therefore, it was built specifically by His instructions and not man. Every part of the building had to be built by His direction or else it would no longer be of God. By following man’s direction, it would only desecrate God’s holy sanctuary and He would no longer dwell there. Therefore, the children of Israel were to pay close attention to how God wanted them to build it. Now, let us look at how it was made and glorify God in His amazing design. Exodus, chapter 26, is where we will continue on with how it was constructed. The covering begins with ten separate curtains, of even length, that consisted of blue, purple and scarlet linen. Cherubims were also knited in as decorations. Half of these curtains were knit together and then latched together in the middle. The next set of curtains that were to be placed upon the sanctuary were made of goat’s hair. Where 1“the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.” (Exodus 26:12) Above that curtain was to be placed a covering of ram’s skin and then another covering of badger’s skin. The tabernacle itself was to be made of different boards of shittim wood that stood in place with different bars in middle therof, that were overlayed with gold. This building is surely a work of art. A building before its time. Though I only give a few details here of this place, you can see how each part of the sanctuary was important. That is why God, in this chapter, gives a great amount of detail on each aspect of the building therefore.
God’s instructions continued with a vail. On the tabernacle of God was to be made 1“a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims.” (Exodus 26:31) It was to be hung 1“upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. (Exodus 26:32) Within the vail stood 1“the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.” (Exodus 26:33) This was the same mercy seat that was mentioned in chapter 25 and at this point was to be put 1“upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place” (Exodus 26:34) They were also instructed to 1“set the table without the vail, 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.” (Exodus 26:35) God then said, 1“thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.” (Exodus 26:36) That which was hanging was made of 1“five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.” (Exodus 26:37) You can think of this like a beautiful wreath, but of heavenly nature. This is just a brief summary of what the Lord instructed. Therefore, please read this chapter in whole to see the whole picture for yourself. Now, if you are a Christian, then you will also see the beauty of this place, just as I have. God’s creation is manifested in the building of this sanctuary by the children of Israel.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will always be mindful of Your beautiful creation that is all around us. Help us to see the beauty in things and see how only You could create them. Just looking at the mountains, streams, trees, flowers, animals, fishes, insects, and especially humans, do I see You, God, in all these things. Nothing has more style and artistry then Your mighty hands. You made the best things for us to live on this earth and I am so grateful. All throughout time You have made an impression upon people that have lived. Thank You Lord for everything You have to offer us. We are so blessed when we can look past ourselves and just glance at our surroundings. I cannot take enough pictures of all the different colors in the mountains, lakes, streams, trees, leaves, shrubs and flowers. I am mesmerized by how beautifully made everything is every spring, summer, fall, and winter. These seasons surely describe how perfectly laid out everything is upon this earth. Your creations comes to life and then goes dormant at different times of the year. This would have taken a lot of thought in my mind, but for You is was made easy. You created all these things for our joy. Thank You Lord. I am sure that the sanctuary that You had Moses create was also as amazing. Saying that, God, I know that You can also do amazing things in our lives also. If we just listen to Your instructions, then we will be able to do things that are extraordinary in nature. This is because You are able to orchestrate Your will in our lives. For this, I am so grateful. I trust in You always. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Exodus 26 (KJV)
1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
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.
3 The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.
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.
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.
6 And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.
7 And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
14 And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins.
15 And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.
16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.
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.
18 And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.
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.
20 And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards:
21 And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
22 And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.
23 And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.
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.
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.
26 And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
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.
28 And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.
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.
30 And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.
31 And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
32 And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.
34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
35 And thou shalt set the table without the vail, 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.
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.
37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.