Exodus 26:1 "“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them."
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Every facet of the Tabernacle of Moses has wonderful and amazing things to teach us about Jesus! The beautiful pictures of Him and explanations of spiritual truths therein tell of His finished work, His great love for us, and our position in Christ.
The most wonderful storyteller on the planet, the Holy Spirit, loves to draw us pictures of whatever it is He wants us to understand so our hearts will be at peace. That's the beauty of the Old Testament. It is filled with His stories, types and shadows, all depicting our Lord Jesus.
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Structure Of The Tabernacle.
In this study, we'll be looking at the construction of the Tabernacle and, in particular, the coverings and curtains. This is critical information to understand, especially in these last days, whether you travel far and wide or stay closer to home. When you go out your door, you need to be assured that you are protected!
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Coverings And Curtains.
One of the best descriptions of how protected we are is found right here, in the coverings and curtains. There were four in all, each made of very different materials, with individual meanings and significance.
Badger Skin?
The outermost covering was made of animal skin. Below is the Hebrew word which, in some Bibles, is translated as "Badger skin."
Tachásh: [תָּ֫חַשׁ]
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There seems to be great differences of opinion among Bible scholars about the meaning of this word. Martin Luther translated it as "badger skin," and many scholars agree with him.
But, there are others who have quite a different take. Some believe its correct translation is "porpoise." Now, obviously, a porpoise is not at all the same kind of animal as a badger. Not even close! Wait; It gets even more bizarre!
Some scolars argue that the word means, "Dugong." That's a type of manatee! Still other translate it as "antelope!" What gives?!
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Purposeful Confusion.
Hmmm.....It doesn't appear that there's any real consensus at all as to the actual meaning. Why?
Because the Holy Spirit is at it again! He is painting pictures of Jesus, being purposely ambiguous. Whenever the language of the Bible is unclear, there is something wonderful to unveil about Jesus for our benefit that will bless and encourage.
So, we have four possible things this "skin" could be: Badger, porpoise, dugong and antelope. Is there anything, anywhere else in scripture that can shed some light here?
YES!
Turn with me to Matthew 16 where Jesus asked His disciples the following question.
("Who do men say that I am?")
Who Is Jesus?
Matthew 16:13-17
"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven."
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Most people in Jesus' day, and even today, don't quite know what to make of Him. Some said He was John the Baptist (Badger?); some thought He might be Elijah (porpoise?); others, Jeremiah (dugong?); and still others, one of the prophets (antelope?).
But Simon Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Behind The Veil.
God the Father revealed this to him. It did not spring from natural human reasoning. He drew back the "curtain," if you will, and allowed Peter to peer into the Holy of Holies. He saw the pure gold of His divine nature and glimpsed for a moment who Jesus really was. Unfortunately, that picture didn't stick with him as he later betrayed Him 3 times.
But, that's so human, isn't it? You and I need to be continually reminded of Who Jesus is.
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He wasn't the only one who saw behind the Veil. There were others. Remember the Roman Centurion whose servant was paralyzed? He came to Jesus and begged for him to be healed. Let's follow the story.
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Matthew 8:5-7
"Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
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Jesus offered to come and heal him. But the man refused. Let's continue in verses 8-11:
"The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven."
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We see the same thing in the case of the Canaanite woman who's daughter was severely demon-possessed. She, too, saw Who he really was. She came begging for healing for her daughter and she got it.
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(For more on her story, follow this link:
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Amazing that two Gentiles pierced the veil of His flesh. They knew Who He was. It amazes Jesus as well. Most of His own people didn't recognize Him.
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The Eye Of Man vs. The Eye Of God.
This outer covering is what the eye of man saw, which was the guise of a rugged man, the son of an obscure carpenter from the seedy little backwater town of Nazareth. In their eyes, seemingly a "Nobody from nowhere." No one knew what to make of Him, including His own disciples at times.
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People today who are outside of Christ are no less perplexed. Some call Him a great teacher, some a great philosopher, a great prophet, and others, simply a good man. They don't see what you and I see, Church: The Son of the Living God Who redeemed us from our sins! Flesh and blood has not revealed this to us but the Holy Spirit.
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Ram's Skin Dyed Red.
Exodus 26:14
"You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, (above the goat's hair) and a covering of badger skins (tachash) above that."
The next covering under the "Badger skin," was that of "Ram's skin dyed red." A ram, of course, is a male Lamb. Ram speaks of Jesus' sacrifice. Red speaks of His work on the cross. He was literally covered in blood in the process of redeeming all of us. What a picture!
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The ram also depicts Jesus in His determination to save all of us. You've heard of a battering ram? That term was used because Rams are very determined. They use their horns, a depiction of strength and authority, to get their objective.
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, KNOWING ALL THINGS, stepped forward with heavenly dignity, strength and authority when the soldiers came to arrest Him. He was DETERMINED to go to the cross. He was fully aware of what was to come, yet He did not shrink from it.
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Here's another famous ram incident. Remember when Abraham was about to kill his son and the Angel stopped him? He turned around and saw an incredible sight: A RAM CAUGHT BY ITS HORNS IN A THICKET.
Now, Abraham was a shepherd by trade. He knew that rams are not just unlikely to be caught by their horns in a thicket: It's practically impossible. Yet, here he was, "conveniently" caught by its horns, not his wool as one would expect, which would make it unfit as an offering.
Had he been caught by his wool, the more he struggled, the more lacerated his skin would become from the thorns, blood everywhere.
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How careful God is to guard the "Type" of His son. This is a Holy Spirit picture of Jesus! Horn is a picture of strength. This ram was caught by his "strength," and when he was pulled out of the bush, what remained? A CROWN OF THORNS AROUND HIS HEAD, just like Jesus in John 19:5. "Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe."
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Ram Of Consecrecration.
The ram brings to remembrance the "ram of consecration," in Exodus 29. The priests placed their hands on its head, killed it, and put some of the blood on the right ear lobe, the right thumb, and right toe.
These things depict believers who are washed by the blood. You are consecrated; set apart; separated unto God as Holy. The blood of Jesus covers everything you "HEAR (right ear lobe), what you do (right thumb), and where you walk (right toe.)
As I said before, the outer covering is what the eye of man sees. All the people were able to see it. Only the priests and high priest could view the innermost covering of fine linen.
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They are a portrayal of Jesus, as Great High Priest, and all the priests under Him. That's you and me, Church! We are just like Him: Priests forever after the order of Melchizedek! We see the fine linen, our exalted Great High Prest in heaven.
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This layer of ram's skin dyed red could only be seen God. You see, the full measure, appreciation and estimation of what Jesus did at Calvary will forever be known only by the Father and the Son.
Remember that very first Passover when the children of Israel put the blood ON THE OUTSIDE of the door? It was OUTSIDE, not for them to see, but for God so that, when the Angel of death passed by, He would "pass over" them.
Even in eternity, Church, you and I will never fully know, understand or esteem the price Jesus paid for us that day.
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Curtains Of Goat's Hair.
Exodus 26:7-
"You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains. The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; and the eleven curtains shall all have the same measurements. And you shall couple five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the forefront of the tent."
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Though we haven't yet covered the fine linen curtains of the inmost layer, it is very similar in construction to the goat's hair layer except that there are 10 linen curtains. In this layer, however, there were 11, each measuring 4x30 cubits. Why?
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As you know, nothing in scripture is arbitrary or there just to make the book thicker. The Holy Sprit specifically mentions numbers. He does so to lend greater depth, meaning and understanding of any passage.
Jewish rabbis refer to this phenomenon as, "Gematria: The meaning of numbers." It is not numerology which is based on superstition, mind you.
(Those interested in further study on the meaning of numbers in the Bible, follow this link:
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Gematria.
It should interest you to know that ALL the measurements of the entire Tabernacle are in multiples of 5. 5 is the number of grace! That's because everything about the Tabernacle, Jesus, is full of grace! 4 is the number of creation; 6 is the number of man.
One of the reasons for this is there are four Hebrew words for man In the Bible and two Greek words:
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Let's do some Holy Spirit Math!
The numbers "11 and 30" are related in that they share the numbers "5" and "6."
5+6 = 11
5x6 = 30.
6 is the number of man; 5 is the number of grace. It's a perfect Holy Spirit message"
Jesus became a man full of grace to bring grace to us.
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Amazing Properties Of Goat's Hair.
Many Bedouins in the Middle East today use goat's hair to weave cloth for their tents. Goat's hair, in particular, has the amazing ability to contract when it rains to keep out the weather. It protects from the wind and it expands when it's hot to let air flow in so that it is cool inside the tent. That's the wisdom of our God! He knows what animal to put where!
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Our Sin Offering.
The curtains made of "Goat hair" also depict Jesus as our "sin offering." From the time of His birth, He grew in grace and knowledge. For 30 years (6x5) He was prepared to be offered up as a sacrifice for us all. But this time period of His life, other than the incident at the temple when He was 12, is not recorded.
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You'll notice in the picture above that these curtains of goat's hair cover the top part of the golden pillars. There was a 6th curtain, that was folded over, covering part of the golden boards.
Here's why. Jesus grew up subject to His parents. For 30 years, He lived a normal, hidden, human life. He did nothing miraculous or out of the ordinary until, as the Holy Spirit records, the miracle at the wedding of Cana in Galilee! He calls it, "The beginning if miracles."
The 6th curtain was folded over to hide the top third of the golden pillars in front, depicting that hidden life.
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Women Artisans.
According to Exodus 35, verses 25 & 26, skilled women artisans wove the goat's hair and the fine linen curtains. Notice the order in which they are mentioned.
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"25 All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. 26 And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats’ hair."
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The linen curtains are mentioned first, then the goat's hair, in that order. But look what is also recorded.
Most of the time, it is only men who are mentioned in scripture. But here, in Exodus 35, the Holy Spirit points out, in particuar, that WOMEN wove these curtains. The reason why will soon become clear.
Construction of the entire Tabernacle, from the golden boards, the implements, menorah, table of shewbread, altar of incense, Ark of the Covenant, to the curtains and coverings took "Nine months" to complete.
What does that sound like? Human gestation! Mart was pregnant with Jesus for nine months. THAT'S WHY WOMEN SPUN THE YARN.
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The Entrance Of The Tabernacle.
Before we get to the linen curtains, let's look at the Tabernacle itself and check out some other really amazing details.
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As you approach the outer court, there are FOUR PILLARS with curtains of fine linen hanging on them. But at the entrance to the Tabernacle itself, notice that there are FIVE GOLDEN PILLARS. Bet you'd like to know why.
Why Four Pillars?
Ok; Tell me: Where do you find all the stories and accounts of Jesus'life on earth?
YES! THE FOUR GOSPELS. You are introduced to Jesus through the Gospels and become "born again" when you accept Him as our Savior. This gains you admittance into the outer court where the Bronze Altar is located.
Bronze in the Bible is a picture of judgment. The altar is in the shape of a cross. Your sins were "Judged at the cross!" But in order to go deeper, the Holy Of Holies is the place to be.
(For more information on the Bronze Altar, follow this link:
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Five Pillars.
Now think again: Where in the Bible do you find everything you want to know about Jesus? In the New Testament! But where are the teachings of the risen, exalted, glorified, seated-at-the -right-hand-of-the-Father Jesus? In the letters and epistles of the New Testament! The FIVE PILLARS represent the FIVE AUTHORS of those epistles:
Peter, James, John, Jude and Paul.
Five is the number of grace!
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No More Veil.
Under our dispensation of the Covenant of GRACE, Jesus has shed His blood. Now that Jesus has died, there is no more Holy Place and Holy of Holies because the Father ripped the veil in two! There is only the Holy of Holies, surrounded by 48 golden boards seated in silver sockets, all facing the Mercy Seat.
That's right, Church. You and I are golden pillars in the house of the Lord!
Those who are most intimate with Jesus have passed through "Grace: The five pillars," into the Holy Of Holies. They are secure in their "Redemption: The silver sockets," (silver depicts redemption) and continually behold the face of Jesus. They are the ones who remain seated, resting in His presence. It's the place of greatest protection and peace.
Curtains Of Fine Linen.
Finally, we come to the curtains of fine linen. You already know that they were woven by the women and why.
Look at the picture below. As you enter and look up at the curtains over your head, you see the colors of blue, purple, scarlet and fine linen. They are woven with artistic designs of Cherubim with wings unfurled.
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When David wrote Psalm 91, he was referring back to this. When you walk into the Holy of Holies, you are literally "under the shadow of His wings!"
Now, in the opening scripture, you are reading the only time "fine linen" is mentioned first, then "Blue, purple, scarlet. Everywhere else, it is recorded as "Blue, purpe, scarlet are first, then "fine linen" last. Ever notice that? Why is the order reversed?
As usual, the Holy Spirit has a purpose for every seemingly insignificant detail. Remember, the badger skin is what the eye of man sees. The ram's skin dyed red is what only the eye of God sees. The goat's hair curtains depict what God made His Son to be on earth, and the fine linen represents what Jesus is in heaven.
He is fine linen: Heavenly, regal, royalty, beloved of the Father, seated at His right hand.
Order Reversal.
The reason the order is reversed is this:
In the Gospels, you see Jesus called or referred to as "Jesus Christ." Jesus is first, Christ, His title, is second. But in the epistles, you often see it reversed. You and I are sanctified "in Christ H
Jesus."
Why?
Jesus' literally means, "Salvation;" Christ means, "Messiah." In the Gospels He was the "Promosed Messiah," but after He shed His blood, He was "the Promise FULFILLED!" You and I are referred to and "IN Christ Jesus."
The entire structure is a picture of the Person of our Lord Jesus. Bear in mind that, as He is, so are we in this world. He is our true identity.
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Church, that means you and I are just as covered and just as protected: Four-times covered, in fact! We don't walk around in this dangerous world, vulnerable like unbelievers. We are safe under His wings.
Our Father wants you and I to walk through life and KNOW that you are not uncovered. You are loved, warmed, protected, secure. You are under His wings. You are four times covered.
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