5.7. "MAKE THE TABERNACLE WITH TEN CURTAINS" (Exodus 26:1-6)

These ten curtains of fine linen were the inside curtains that covered the wooden framework of the tabernacle itself.

WHITE. Fine linen represents the righteousness of Christ, wrought and worked out during His life in the flesh and bestowed by God upon every believer.

Romans 3:22 "Even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe ..."

BLUE. The colour of heaven represents the Kingship and sovereignty of Christ - in Him the church is clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Revelation 19:8 ), and is also a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2:9 ).

PURPLE speaks of the power of Christ. When the believer, justified, submits to the Kingship of Christ, he then subsequently receives the power of the Holy Spirit to witness (Acts 1:8 ).

SCARLET represents the blood of Christ that cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7 ).

CHERUBIMS. Woven into the curtains constantly reminded of the presence of God. Every curtain emphatically demonstrated His presence. The Holy Spirit, interwoven into the fabric of our daily lives makes the Lord's presence real.

John 14:16 "... He may abide with you forever;"

5.8. "CURTAINS OF GOATS' HAIR" (Exodus 26:7-14)

These curtains covered the inner linen curtains. They were the actual tent which protected the sanctuary. The hair could be taken from the sacrificial animal before being put to death - therefore they speak of the perfect life of our Lord on earth, who became our protection by substitution.

He came to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28 ).The word "for" understandably means "in the place of" many, indicating that His sacrifice was as a substitution for sinners. In Christ we are perfectly covered. Our sins and lawless deeds are neither seen or remembered any more. (Hebrews 10:17 ). In the Person of Jesus the Father sees us as pure as Jesus. In verse 14 the two additional coverings were provided. Rams skins dyed red, and badger skins. Skins indicate death. The perfect life could only cover through His death. He took our place, being made sin for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21 ).

5.9. "MAKE THE BOARDS OF ACACIA WOOD" (Exodus 26:15-30)

It would appear that the walls of the tabernacle were not solid, but of a trellis like construction that allowed the beauty of the linen curtains to be visible from the inside. The wood points to the cross. The boards represent the people of God who are crucified with Christ and have passed with Him through the death of the cross, being henceforth dead to sin (Galatians 2:19; Romans 6:11 ). Each board had two feet or tenons which fitted into two sockets of silver (Exodus 26:19,21,25 ). Silver speaks of redemption. Our only standing before God is on the ground of the redemption of Christ. The boards were held together by invisible bars (Exodus 26:26-28 ). The church is held together by the power of God, and the Lord said the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 ).

5.10. "THE VEIL SHALL BE A DIVIDER" (Exodus 26:31-35)

The veil or curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place is interpreted in Hebrews 10:20 as the 'flesh' (the sinless humanity) of the Lord. When Christ died the veil was torn,

Matthew 27:51 "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; ..."

A new and living way opened up to God's presence by Christ's death.

5.11. "MAKE A SCREEN FOR THE DOOR" (Exodus 26:36-37)

The outer veil of curtain at the east end of the Holy Place functioned as a door to the tent. It is a picture of Jesus Himself, who is the door of His sheep.

John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

The five pillars that held up the door in position (Exodus 26:37 ), point to the five great pillars that make Christ the door into the church, namely: His incarnation, His perfect life, His atoning death, His justifying resurrection, and His glorious ascension.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. How many curtains were to cover the inside wooden framework of the tabernacle?
   • Accepting that Christ and those in Christ are set forth in pictured truth, what do you see represented by the white, fine linen (Hebrews 1:9; Revelation 1:14; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 3:21-22; Philippians 3:9; Psalm 132:9; Revelation 19:8 )?
   • What truth does the colour blue represent to you (Esther 8:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:15; 1 Peter 2:9 )?
   • Are you clothed with what purple represents (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8 )?
   • Do you greatly value the scarlet line through Scripture (Leviticus 17:11; Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:19; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:14; Revelation 1:5 )?
   • What did the cherubims which were interwoven into the curtains, symbolise?
   • What artistic design is the Holy Spirit weaving into the fabric of your daily life?

2. What do you infer from the covering of the tabernacle woven of the hair of the living sacrificial animal (Exodus 26:7 )?
   • Do you see pictured in the covering of the rams skins dyed red, that only by Christ's death in your place could your Saviour's perfect life cover you (2 Corinthians 5:21 )?
   • Is there any possibility of your covered, forgiven sin ever being seen again (Hebrews 10:17 )?

3. Do the boards of acacia wood give you a picture of those in Christ?
   • What spiritual significance can be drawn from each board standing on sockets of silver (Exodus 26:15-25 )?

4. How were the boards held together (Exodus 26:26-28 )?
   • How is the Church held together (Matthew 16:18 )?

5. Do you believe that Scripture so clearly interprets the meaning of the veil or curtains separating the holy place from the Most Holy Place, that no one need indulge in fanciful interpretation (Exodus 26:31- 35; Hebrews 10:20 )?
   • What truth was demonstrated by the torn veil when Christ died (Matthew 27:51 )?

6. Does the entrance of door to the holy place remind you of Jesus (John 10:9 )?
   • What, about this structure of the entrance, reminds you of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ?
   • Is the glory of the cross depicted?
   • In contrast to the sockets of silver (Exodus 26:32 ), why were the pillars for the entrance made of bronze?