Exo 26:1-18  Instructions About the Construction of the Tabernacle

[Study Aired October 24, 2022]

Exo 26:1  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. 
Exo 26:2  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. 
Exo 26:3  The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.
Exo 26:4  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. 
Exo 26:5  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. 
Exo 26:6  And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle. 
Exo 26:7  And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. 
Exo 26:8  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. 
Exo 26:9  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. 
Exo 26:10  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. 
Exo 26:11  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. 
Exo 26:12  And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. 
Exo 26:13  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. 
Exo 26:14  And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins. 
Exo 26:15  And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. 
Exo 26:16  Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. 
Exo 26:17  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. 
Exo 26:18  And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. 

Introduction – What does the Tabernacle Signify?

Today’s study is about instructions given to Moses regarding the building of the tabernacle. A Tabernacle means a dwelling place. The Lord gave the Israelites the tabernacle as a visual picture of His dwelling with them. The tabernacle—and later the temple that replaced it—was a temporary place for God’s glory to dwell until the coming of Christ.

Psa 76:2  In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. 

Psa 61:4  I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. 

Every part of the tabernacle was designed to illustrate the Lord’s relationship with His people. The instruction therefore given to Moses was to build a portal temple to serve as the dwelling place of the Lord. However, we know that our Lord does not dwell in temples made with hands.

Act 7:46  Who (David) found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 
Act 7:47  But Solomon built him an house. 
Act 7:48  Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 
Act 7:49  Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 
Act 7:50  Hath not my hand made all these things?

The tabernacle, therefore, was a prototype of the Lord’s dwelling place which is in man. 

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Exo 29:45  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 
Exo 29:46  And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

So, we can see that the dwelling place of the Lord is within us. Therefore, we are the tabernacle that the Lord instructed Moses to build. What this signifies is that today’s study, which deals with instruction for the construction of the tabernacle, shows us how we can become a habitation for the Lord to dwell. In other words, the Lord is preparing our hearts and mind to become the seat of His throne within us.

1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Exo 26:1  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. 

The tabernacle is made of ten curtains of fine twined linen with the colors of blue, purple and scarlet. The curtains in the scriptures are synonymous with tents. In other words, tents and curtains are the same. The following verses affirm this point:

Hab 3:7  I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. 

Isa 40:22  It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: 

Isa 54:2  Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 

The tent, in turn, represents our bodies as follows:

2Co 5:1  For we know that if the tent, our earthly home, is torn down, we have a building from God—a home not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens. 
2Co 5:2  For in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— 
2Co 5:3  if indeed, after we have put it on, we will not be found naked. 
2Co 5:4  For we groan while we are in this tent—burdened because we don’t want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (TLV)

The fact that the curtains must be ten in number confirms the fact that we are talking about our earthly tent which is our bodies. As we know, the number ten symbolizes corruptible, dying flesh throughout scripture and therefore refers to our earthly bodies, which we are to offer as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The curtains must be of fine linen and colored blue, purple and scarlet. The color red or scarlet, symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, while the color blue symbolizes the last Adam – Jesus Christ coming to be in our heavens. The curtain of fine linen colored purple and scarlet represents us while we are in Babylon where our adamic nature became obvious while living under the law as shown in the following verses:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 

What this means is that a prerequisite of becoming a habitation for the Lord to dwell in is the recognition of our spiritual poverty (purple and scarlet linen) before we are turned into blue linen. The whole essence of the Lord’s encounter with the rich young ruler is to emphasize the point that it is through the recognition of our spiritual poverty that we can enter into the kingdom of God (become a habitation for the Lord to dwell in). 

Mat 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 
Mat 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 
Mat 19:19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 
Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 
Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 
Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 

The rich young ruler turning away because of his great possessions is another way of saying the following:

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The fact that the curtains must be interwoven with Cherubim is to make us aware that in this age, it is only the Cherubim who are being prepared as a habitation for the Lord to dwell in. As we have indicated in a recent study, the Cherubim are living creatures, and it is in the midst of these Cherubim that the Lord dwells and speaks to His people. Therefore they represent the elect. This means that in this age, it is only the elect that the Lord is preparing to become His habitation. 

Eze 10:20  This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.

1Sa 4:4  So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

2Sa 6:2  And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

Exo 26:2  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. 

The one measure of each of the curtains refers to Christ. This means that every one of the curtains having one measure means that to become a habitation for our Lord to dwell, we must all measure up to the standard of Christ. We are therefore constantly being measured and judged to conform to the standards of Christ. All those who are not measured are not part of those who are made a habitation for the Lord to dwell. They belong to the Gentiles!!  

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 
Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Exo 26:3  The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. 

The dividing of the ten curtains into two groups of five is very significant. This is very symbolic in the sense that it is faith through the grace of God (the meaning of the number five) that we become a habitation for the Lord. That is when we become witnesses of Christ (the meaning of the dividing of the curtains into two groups). 

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 
Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The five curtains being coupled together means that, as His elect, we must have the same mind and the same judgment. Being coupled together is the work of the Lord. It is from Him that the whole body (the elect) are fitly joined together and compacted by what every joint supplies. So, the curtains being coupled together is to facilitate the supply of our spiritual food by every joint.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Exo 26:4  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. 
Exo 26:5  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. 
Exo 26:6  And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle. 

The two sets of curtains are connected together with fifty blue loops as well as fifty gold taches. What connects us together as the Lord’s elect is the spirit of the Lord. 

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 
1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.

Exo 26:7  And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. 
Exo 26:8  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. 

The goats’ hair was used as a weather resistant external covering of the tabernacle. The dimensions of the goats’ hair show that they were longer than the first curtains, thus providing total protection of the inner curtains and items inside the tabernacle. What is insightful is the source of the goats’ hair cover. The curtains of goats’ hair were obtained by the killing of live goats and the subsequent removal of their skins. The curtains of goats’ hair represent our Lord Jesus Christ who was the goat slaughtered on our behalf. It is also significant to note that the number of goats’ hair curtains needed was eleven. The number eleven symbolizes the ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh. It is through the ruin and disintegration of the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are found in Him as we represent the inner curtains, and He signifies the outer goat hair cover. As He is, so are we. We, too, are being slaughtered daily to complete the Lord’s preparation of our hearts and mind to become His habitation.

Lev 16:7  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Lev 16:8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 
Lev 16:9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 
Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. 

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

The fact that the eleven curtains must be of one measure is another way of saying that as He is, so are we. In other words, we must also be “killed” before we can become useful for the habitation of God. The number eleven and the brass used means God is dealing with human vessels.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Exo 26:9  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. 

The coupling of the five curtains by themselves means that it is faith through the grace of God (the meaning of the number five) that we become a habitation for the Lord. The number six signifies mankind. Thus, the other six curtains are to affirm to us that the dwelling place of the Lord is with man. 

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

The forefront of the tabernacle is where the door to the inside of the tabernacle is. The eleventh of the goats’ hair curtain which covers the forefront of the tabernacle must be doubled. This means that it is through our witness that many are granted access into the temple of God. Our witness of Christ’s suffering which necessitates that we fill up that which is lacking in His afflictions is what gives His people access to worship in His temple. 

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. 

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

Exo 26:10  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.
Exo 26:11  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.

The two sets of curtains are connected together with fifty loops as well as fifty brass clasps. What connects us together as the Lord’s elect is the spirit of the Lord. 

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 
1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.

This spirit of the Lord is the same as His words. Through His words, we become of one mind, and that is what connects us together.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Exo 26:12  And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. 

The part that remains of the curtains of the tent, that is, the half curtain of the goats’ hair that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. The backside of the tabernacle represents the law. What this means is that those who practice the law are not given to pass through the gate of the temple at the forefront where the goats’ hair curtains are doubled. The goats’ hair is a symbol of the dying of the Lord for our sake and the dying of the elect to complete the Lord’s affliction. Not passing through the front gate means that they do not experience the daily dying of our old man. They are, therefore, just like their father, the devil, who climbs up some other way (backside) to the temple. 

Joh 10:1  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 
Joh 10:2  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 

Exo 26:13  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. 
Exo 26:14  And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins. 

The extra cubit that remains in the length of the curtains was to be left to hang on the two sides of the tabernacle for the purpose of covering it. The covering of the tabernacle by the extra length of the goats’ hair curtain hides the dwelling place of the Lord from the public. It is therefore another way of saying that we, His elect, representing the fine linen garment which are covered by these goats’ hair curtains, have a treasure (the dwelling place of God) in our earthen vessels. 

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

A ram also represents Christ. The use of the ram’s skin as a covering is to let us know that it is through the death of Christ (the killing of the ram) that we are found in Him (covering us). The fact that the rams’ skins must be dyed red is to point to the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ was made like us – earthy (red).  

Lev 16:5  And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. 
Lev 16:6  And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house. 

Exo 26:15  And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. 
Exo 26:16  Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. 
Exo 26:17  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. 
Exo 26:18  And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.

The tabernacle was constructed with boards made of acacia wood. Apart from the fact that acacia wood grows wild in the desert, it is considered incorruptible. It is very dense and resistant both to disease and insects, just like cedar. Each of the boards is required to stand upright, not laying down and must have two tenons. A tenon is an end of a piece of wood that is cut into a special shape to fit into a hole on another piece of wood to make a strong joint. Twenty boards were to be fixed in the southern part of the tabernacle. The Boards of shittim wood represent the elect whom the Lord is using to build His temple. The fact that the boards must stand upright is to remind us of standing in the presence of the Lord.

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 

We are the two candlesticks and the two olive trees that are standing before the presence of the Lord just as the boards are standing before the Lord. Each of the boards must have two tenons or support. As indicated, a tenon must be shaped to fit into another wood to make a strong joint. As boards, we are being shaped to fit the standard of Christ. This is being done through the judgment of our old man in this life. The result of the judgment process that we are going through is to form a strong joint with Christ for the building of His temple.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

In verse 18, twenty boards were to be used for the southern side of the tabernacle. The number twenty on a positive note refers to those who are mature enough to wage war. This means that the twenty boards on the southern side signify the fact that those whom the Lord is using to build His temple are those who are mature enough to wage war with the flesh to overcome it. 

Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

May the Lord have mercy on us to count us worthy of His habitation in this life. Amen!!