Exodus 26:1-14, 31-33
I). The Veil.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into
the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he
hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"
Heb. 10:19-20
Having moved through the Holy Place
and towards the Holy of Holies we are faced with a beautiful veil made of
fine twined linen of blue, purple and scarlet. This veil is what separates
the priest from the dwelling place of God and the mercy seat atop the ark.
This veil clearly speaks of the flesh of Jesus Christ.
A). The Materials: Ex.
26:31-33, 36:35-36
1). Fine twined linen which has been spoken of before in the fence of the
outer court. Fine twined linen represents RIGHTEOUSNESS. This
righteousness can only be that of Jesus Christ as our righteousness is
"as filthy rags" (Isa.
64:6).
*The believer is partaker of this veil because
of Jesus’ righteousness "…for us also, to whom
it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our
Lord from the dead;" Rom 4:24. (see also
Rom 4:6-8,11,22-25, Ja. 2:23, Rev. 19:8, Isa. 61:10).
2). The colours of the veil also
speak of Jesus:
Blue: speaks of
heavenly origin "…the second man is the
Lord from heaven." 1 Cor 15:47
Purple: speaks of Jesus’
royalty. Jesus was the son of David & crucified as the king of the
Jews, but will one day sit on David’s throne as King of kings!
Scarlet: speaks of the
price that was paid for our access to the mercy seat of God. Scarlet
is the color of the blood shed at Calvary.
White: the linen was
white with these other 3 colours woven into it. The white speaks of
Jesus’ sinless humanity (Heb 4:15; 7:26, 2 Cor.5:21, 1Peter
1:19;2:22).
3). This veil of Jesus’ flesh hung
on hooks of gold. The flesh of Jesus was supported (hung from) by His
deity and God the Father.
4). When Jesus spoke the
words: "It is finished"
the veil was torn from top to bottom. This veil of
Jesus flesh was torn at Calvary, but the method is clear. (Matt 27:51)
a). It was torn from top to bottom.
Only God could tear the veil from top to bottom (man would have to start
at the bottom, it was 15 feet tall). Jesus gave His life and no one could
take it (Jn 19:11, Jn 3:16) Salvation is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9)
b). Salvation is something that only
Jesus could pay for. Man could not tear the veil himself.
"according to a Jewish writer,
it would have required the strength of a yoke of oxen pulling in
opposite directions to rend it apart" (Needham, Geo. C. The True
Tabernacle 1879, p 99).
c). The tearing of the veil
simultaneously made access to the mercy seat of God available and
destroyed the Levitical priesthood.
*We have access by faith into
the grace of God. "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom 5:2 (see
also Eph. 2:18; 3:12, Heb 4:16).
*Jesus is the High Priest of our
faith and we are become the priests of the tabernacle (temple).
"Seeing then that we have a great
high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us
hold fast our profession." Heb. 4:14
"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." 1 Peter 2:5
II). The Coverings: Ex.
26:1-14; 36:8-19.
The coverings of the Tabernacle are 4 in number.
A). The first covering is
called a curtain of "fine twined linen" of blue, purple and
scarlet with cherubims woven into it just like the veil.
This covering was made up of 10
curtains each 28w x 4L cubits. These 10 curtains were sewn together in two
halves (5 apiece). These two pieces were then taken and "loops of blue"
were made on the edges facing each other and then 50 rings of gold were to
hold the loops together making this one covering. Sewed together the size
then was 28w x 40L cubits. (9 cu. hanging off each side and 10 cu off the
back).
*this all shows the same symbolism
as the veil which represents the body of Jesus Christ. From inside the
Tabernacle the Priest could see a physical representation of the glory and
beauty of the Savior along with His heavenly origin.
B). 11 Curtains of
Goats Hair: Ex 25:4
These were sewn together making 2 halves (one 5 & one 6). This curtain was
30w x 4L cubits. The 2 halves were sewn together and 50 taches (clasps,
hooks) of brass were placed on each end to hold the curtain on top of the
Tabernacle. The 6th curtain in the 2nd half was
folded over on the front side, thus making this covering 30w x 42L cubits.
(10 cubits hanging over each side and 12 cu. off the back)
1). The symbol of a goat is that of
a "sin-bearer". In Lev. 16:20-22 if found where a goat is used to carry
the sins of the people. The goat’s hair woven together (Ex 35:26) would
have been a very dark material which speaks of the nature of sin.
*Jesus was the "scape-goat" for our
sins. Heb 13:12.
2). The taches (hooks) of brass
represent the judgment on sin (see Num. 21:9- Moses and the brasen
serpent).
C). The Covering of
Ram’s Skin. Ex 26:14
1). This skin was dyed red which speaks of the suffering of Christ and the
depth of His devotion. The red clearly speaks of the shed blood of Jesus.
2). The symbol of a ram is the
symbol of substitution as God provided a ram for Abraham in place of his
only son Issac (Gen. 22:1-14).
3) The ram is also used for
consecration. In Ex 29:15-26 the ram is used as a "ram of consecration".
The animal was killed and the blood was sprinkled on the altar and placed
on the priest’s ear, thumb and great toe as a sign of separation to God’s
service. Jesus Christ is our consecration and His blood is placed on us to
dedicate us to God’s service.
4). This ram, stripped of it’s skin
also speaks of the Christ who was stripped of His glory, and even His
clothing at Calvary. (Heb. 12:2, Jn 19:23-24, Phil 2:7-8).
D). The Covering of Badger’s
Skin. Ex 26:14
1). This outer layer clearly speaks of the humility of Christ.
"But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Phil 2:7-8
2). The nature of badger’s skin
which is an unsightly skin speaks of Jesus humanity as described in Isaiah
53:2
"For he shall grow up before him
as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no
form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty
that we should desire him.".
3). However, it
must be pointed out that however Christ looked on the outside is nothing
to be compared to the inner beauty that is seen in the fine linen of the
inside of the Tabernacle. The unsaved world cannot see the beauty and
glory of Christ until they will enter in faith!
 John 10:9 I am the door: by me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture.
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