"In this chapter in the book of Exodus, God gives Moses detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle. God specifically tells Moses how everything is to be laid out in the tabernacle and tells him what materials to use."
Exodus 26 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Curtains of Linen“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle (sacred tent of worship) with ten [interior] curtains of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet fabric; you shall make them with [embroidered] cherubim, the handwork of a skillful craftsman. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all of the curtains shall measure the same. 3 The 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 outer edge of the last curtain in the first set, and likewise in the second set. 5 You shall make fifty loops on the one curtain, and fifty loops on the edge of the last curtain that is in the second set. The loops on one curtain correspond to the loops on the other. 6 You shall make fifty gold hooks, and fasten the curtains together with the hooks; and the tabernacle shall be one unit.
- SKILLFUL HANDS.The Lord continued to give detailed instructions about the building of the tabernacle, or God's sanctuary. It was elaborate, accurate, and meant to be followed exactly. I find that truly amazing. God is a God who knows everything, and He has a great purpose for every 'little' thing. Everything is significant. He is a God of order. Also I noticed how God mentioned 'the handwork of a skillful craftsman'-- the embroidery of cherubim will take a lot of patience and dedication, as well as everything, to make it perfect. God wants excellence from His people, because He is the excellent God who is also the source of all skills and talents and strength imaginable. We are God's handiwork and masterpiece, and we have been made according to His image and likeness.
The other symbolic dimension is Eden. The tabernacle, like the garden of Eden, is where God dwells, and various details of the tabernacle suggest it is a mini-Eden. These parallels include the east-facing entrance guarded by cherubim, the gold, the tree of life (lampstand), and the tree of knowledge (the law). Thus God’s dwelling in the tabernacle was a step toward the restoration of paradise, which is to be completed in the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21-22)." https://davidschrock.com
Curtains of Goats’ Hair
7 “Then you shall make [exterior] curtains of goats’ hair as a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains in all. 8 Each curtain shall be thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. The eleven curtains shall all measure the same. 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 [to make a closed door]. 10 Make fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set.
11 “You shall make fifty bronze hooks and put the hooks into the loops and join the tent together so that it may be one unit. 12 The overlapping part that is left over from the tent curtains, 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 the other side, to cover it. 14 You shall make a third covering for the tent of rams’ [a]skins dyed red, and a fourth covering above that of [b]porpoise skins.
Boards and Sockets
15 “Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright [as a trellis-like frame]. 16 The length of each board shall be ten cubits and the width of each board shall be one and a half cubits. 17 Make two dovetails in each board for fitting [them] together; you shall do the same for all the tabernacle boards. 18 You shall make the boards for the tabernacle [in the following quantities]: twenty boards for the south side. 19 You shall make forty silver sockets under the twenty boards, two sockets under each board for its two dovetails, and two sockets under another board for its two dovetails; 20 for the north side of the tabernacle there shall be twenty boards, 21 and their forty silver sockets, two sockets under each board. 22 For the back or west side of the tabernacle you shall make six boards. 23 Make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear [on both sides]. 24 They shall be joined together underneath, and joined together on top with one ring. So shall it be for both of them; they shall form the two [rear] corners. 25 There shall be eight boards and sixteen silver sockets; two sockets under each board.
26 “Then you shall make [fifteen] bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of 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 rear end of the tabernacle, for the back wall toward the west. 28 And the middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through [horizontally] from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the boards with gold and make their rings of gold to hold the bars. You shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 You shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan [the direction corresponding to its meaning and purpose] which has been shown to you on the mountain.
31 “You shall make a veil [to divide the two rooms] of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen, skillfully worked with cherubim on it. 32 You shall hang it on four pillars (support poles) of acacia wood overlaid with gold, with gold hooks, on four silver sockets. 33 You shall hang the veil from the hooks [that connect the curtains together], and you shall bring the ark of the Testimony there within the veil. The veil shall separate for you the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. 34 You shall put the [c]mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Holy of Holies. 35 You shall set the table [for the bread] outside the veil [in the Holy Place] on the north side, and the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle.
36 “You shall make a screen [to provide a covering] for the doorway of the tent of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and finely woven [embroidered] linen, the work of an embroiderer. 37 You shall make five pillars (support poles) of acacia wood to support the hanging curtain and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five [base] sockets of bronze for them.
- EVERYTHING POINTS TO CHRIST. This chapter was full or elaborate measurements and instructions of making God's tabernacle for all the people of Israel (through the leadership of Moses).. How Moses was able to record it all for the people and in the Bible was exceptional. God is really great and powerful. Though my simple mind couldn't grasp everything, I know that everything points to Christ. Salvation. And our real home that is in heaven.
i. The plans for the tabernacle were revealed to Moses from the inside out, starting with the interior furniture and then working out. We approach the sanctuary from the outside in, but God builds the sanctuary from the inside out. He works in His people according to the same pattern.
b. Fine woven linen…with artistic designs of cherubim: The designs on this covering were visible only from the inside of the tabernacle. Therefore, on the inside of the tabernacle, one saw cherubim all around – as one would see in heaven (Psalm 80:1, Isaiah 37:16, and Ezekiel 10:3).
e. So that it may be one tabernacle: The spiritual principle illustrated with this method of joining the curtains is unity in diversity. It is the same idea of Romans 12:5: we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
i. Silver is the metal associated with redemption and payment for sin (Exodus 21:32, Leviticus 5:15, 27:3, 27:6, Numbers 18:16, and Deuteronomy 22:19). Jesus was betrayed for silver (Matthew 26:15). The tabernacle’s foundation was silver – pointing to the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
ii. Perhaps the dual nature of the foundation had to do with the two sources of revelation – the Old and New Testaments.
iii. The silver of redemption also separated the tabernacle from the dirt of the desert floor. This is an illustration of the truth that Jesus’ redeeming work separates us from the world.
c. According to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain: The repetition of this phrase (Exodus 25:9, 25:40 and here in Exo 26:30) suggests that Moses received a vision of exactly how the tabernacle should look. He had to communicate this vision to the craftsmen who did the actual building.
i. God works the same way in leaders today. He gives them a vision of what His work should be, and the leader passes it on to others who will do much of the actual work. Moses could not have remained silent about what God had shown him, or the work would never have gotten done.
i. This veil was a barrier, and no priest could go beyond the veil into the Most Holy place except the high priest. He could only enter once a year, and that on the Day of Atonement.
ii. Spiritually speaking, in dying for our sins Jesus with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).
iii. In the temple, this veil was torn from top to bottom at the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:51), showing that through His death, there is no longer a barrier to the Most Holy place.
iv. Now the Most Holy Place is open to us: brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His flesh (Hebrews 10:19-20). The torn veil of Matthew 27:51 also symbolizes the broken body of Jesus, through which we have access to the Most Holy Place.
b. Set the table outside the veil: The table of showbread was on the north side of the tabernacle (on the right as one entered the tabernacle) and the lampstand was toward the south (on the left as one entered the tabernacle).
i. The furniture in the holy place spoke of three great obligations of walking with God: prayer (the altar of incense), fellowship (the table of showbread), and to receive illumination (the lampstand).
b. Five pillars of acacia wood: The screen hung from hooks on five pillars. Each pillar was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold and set on a foundation of bronze.
i. Since bronze (or brass) must be made with a refining fire, it pictures purity and endurance through trial. The entrance to the tabernacle hung on a symbolic foundation of what Jesus did for us.
Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-26.cfm ©2013 David Guzik
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