The Glory of God concealed

 Introduction

The book of Exodus chapter 26 gives detailed directions to Moses on how the Tabernacle was to be erected. The Tabernacle is described as being God’s dwelling place inside the sanctuary besides the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Golden Lampstand. The Tabernacle is described as having several features including curtains, coverings, frames, bars, veil, and the entrance. The chapter is highly technical in nature, however, the Tabernacle did not only refer to a tent, but God’s presence among His people. God had delivered His people Israel from Egypt and He had made them a covenant at Mount Sinai.

However, all other nations of the ancient Near East also had temples for their gods; nevertheless, Israelite sanctuary was unique in the sense that the deity, Yahweh, did not belong to a localized temple. The Tabernacle symbolized an amazing theological paradox: the infinite God who could neither be contained within heavens nor within earth decided to inhabit amongst sinful, yet redeemed people. In addition, the Tabernacle was a sign of returning to the Garden of Eden. Once Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden because of their sin, the relationship between God and humanity was broken, and people no longer had unhampered access to the presence of God. From then on, the scriptures gradually showed God’s plan of restoration of the fellowship with Him. One of the best descriptions of that restoration is the Tabernacle. It reveals four basic ideas: God’s holiness, separation of humanity because of sin, need for access mediation and sacrifice, and God’s provision of the way for restoring the fellowship with Him.

 

The Inner Curtains: Beauty, Holiness, and Heavenly Reality

God begins by describing the inner curtains that formed the Tabernacle’s interior.

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 (Exodus 26:1)

The curtains were composed of fine woven linen and included decorations with blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, together with the work of the cherubim. Each material carried a certain meaning. The fine linen spoke of purity and righteousness. Blue could be a color indicating heaven or divine origin. This indicated that the dwelling was heavenly in nature. The purple, which has always been a color representing royalty due to its rarity and expensive cost, was a color that spoke of kingship and majesty. Scarlet, which was the color of blood, spoke of sacrifice and redemption. The inclusion of these colors in the curtains represents the attributes of God and prefigures the work of redemption that Christ accomplished. Heaven, kingship, purity, and sacrifice come together in the sanctuary and as such, in Jesus. It is important to note that the presence of the cherubim in the curtains carries significant importance. Cherubim were angelic beings who served the Lord God in relation to His throne, glory, and holiness. The cherubim who guarded the entrance of the Garden of Eden following the fall of humanity were stationed at the east of the garden [Genesis 3:24].

 

In the vision of Ezekiel, cherubim form a circle around the glory of God [Ezekiel 10]. The Tabernacle was fashioned after heavenly patterns. It was a copy of the heavenly tabernacle or God’s dwelling place. The curtains were united as one fabric. This oneness speaks of order and perfection. Nothing in God’s sanctuary is left to chance or disorder. The modern-day culture of worship focuses more on convenience and entertainment, but Exodus 26 teaches believers that worship is about reverence, order, beauty, and holiness since we come before the holy God.

 The Outer Coverings: Glory Hidden in Humility

In addition to the wonderful inner curtains, God specified coverings for further protection: coverings of goats’ hair, coverings of rams’ skins dyed red, and durable coverings made of outer skins (also called badgers, dolphin, or porpoise skins).  These coverings provided protection against the harshness of the wilderness.

You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains (Exodus 26:7).

What is impressive about this description is the sharp difference between the inside and outside appearances of the Tabernacle. In its inside it was splendid, but outside it looked simple and ordinary. And this contrast teaches us an important lesson: God's glory is often hidden under an ordinary appearance. Prophesying about Christ, Isaiah writes: “There is no beauty that we should desire Him” [Isaiah 53:2]. Christ did not have an appearance of majesty by earthly standards. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and the Greek translation of dwelt means tabernacle [John 1:14].

 In the same way as the glory of God was concealed in the Tabernacle behind its normal coverings, the glory of Christ was concealed in His normal human flesh. To many people, Jesus seemed only like an ordinary person. But in Him dwelt all the divine fullness. From the outside, the coverings on the Tabernacle seemed ordinary, more so in comparison to the beauty that lay hidden inside. But in that ordinary covering lay the glory of God’s presence. So too, Jesus Christ seemed to be just a common man, a carpenter from Nazareth, who had no majestic appearance at all. He “has no form nor comeliness” [Isaiah 53:2]. That is why many people could not identify Him as the Messiah. But the Word of God says, “For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” [Colossians 2:9]. The fullness of God was concealed in ordinary human flesh.

 God often hides spiritual treasures within humble vessels. People frequently judge by external appearance, but God works through what appears ordinary to reveal extraordinary glory. This correlation is extended to the believers as well. Through the Holy Spirit, God now keeps His treasures in common men.

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

Though Christians might be perceived as weak, feeble, or insignificant by world standards, God's power works in them. In this regard, Paul compares humans with clay jars to explain his point of view. Such earthen vessels were cheap, simple, and fragile in the ancient times. According to Paul, such fragile vessels hold something invaluable; namely, God's glory revealed through Jesus Christ and the gospel. This is similar to the Tent of Meeting mentioned in Exodus 26. It helps us learn some very important lessons; never evaluate spiritual value based on looks, for God uses very ordinary people. It is not weakness that makes a person incapable of doing God’s work, but glory belongs to God and not to the vessel that carries His glory.

 

The Frames and Foundations: Stability through Redemption

God then directs Moses about the construction of the structure of the Tabernacle. The upright boards of acacia wood comprised the walls. These boards were placed in the sockets of silver and joined by bars. Acacia wood was extremely durable and resistant to decay.

And for the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright (Exodus 26:15).

It represents endurance and incorruptibility. The wilderness was uncertain, Israel was always on the move; but the Tabernacle remained standing wherever it was erected. It shows God’s immutability amidst man’s uncertainty. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ [1 Corinthians 3:11]. The strength of a structure depends on its foundation. The silver sockets are especially significant. In Scripture, silver frequently symbolizes redemption. Silver was used as atonement money [Exodus 30:11–16]. This suggests that God’s dwelling among His people rests on redemption. Worship cannot be separated from redemption. Before God dwells among His people, sin must be dealt with. A believer’s spiritual life must rest on the foundation of Christ’s redemptive work. Emotional enthusiasm alone cannot sustain faith; true stability comes from being grounded in redemption.

 The Veil: Separation and Access

This passage will talk about the veil that separated two rooms of the Tabernacle. The veil divided: the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). Behind the veil, there was the Ark of the Covenant which acted as the throne of God’s presence.

You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim (Exodus 26:31).

The veil was used to show separation. God was present in the midst of his people but access to him was limited. The high priest alone could enter behind the veil once a year [Leviticus 16]. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the veil carrying sacrificial blood. Access to God needed mediation, cleansing, and sacrifices. Veil was always a reminder to Israelites that their sins separate them from God. Again, there were images of cherubs on the veil. It symbolized the same cherubs in Eden [Genesis 3:24]. Cherubs guarded the way to the tree of life. The veil acted as the separation barrier between humanity and God after Eden. However, the scriptures showed us how to remove this barrier.

 At the death of Christ:  The curtain of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom [Matthew 27:51].  This is an extremely important matter. It was torn from top to bottom; meaning that it was done by God and not man. Christ himself was the real veil. As a result of His sacrifice, the access to God became completely open [Hebrews 10:19-20]. Believers no longer require earthly temple, earthly priests or sacrifices to be able to reach God.

 

The Entrance Curtain and Progressive Holiness

The entrance curtain symbolized the way to the Holy Place. This reveals progressive approach to God: “Outside the Camp, Courtyard, Holy Place, and Most Holy Place.” This gradated arrangement communicated to Israel that getting close to God required more holiness, consecration, and respect.

You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver (Exodus 26:36).

God welcomes His people but at the same time He is holy. The great revelation of the Tabernacle is amazing. God wants to live with us. God’s intention has never been only to deliver His people out of Egypt but rather to have a relationship. “Look! Here is the dwelling of God among humans” [Revelation 21:3]. The great story of the Bible progresses from: Eden (God with humanity), Tabernacle, Temple, Christ, to the New Creation.

 Holiness and Separation

God taught the Tabernacle that He was holy and could not be approached in any way without His people knowing His holiness. Holy, holy, holy is the LORD [Isaiah 6:3]. “God’s holiness implies: moral perfection, complete purity, and absolute transcendence. There should be no profanity in grace. God calls for nearness, but He should receive reverence. Access to God through: priests, sacrifices, cleansing, and covenant. Christ is the only mediator [1 Timothy 2:5]. All that the Tabernacle represented pointed to Christ as mediator. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us [John 1:14]. Jesus fulfills the Tabernacle completely. In Him: God abides with mankind, divine glory is manifest, access is regained, and communion established. In Him the whole fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily [Colossians 2:9].

 Conclusion

The text of Exodus chapter 26 is much more than just a detailed description of construction plans for an old tent. This text opens up a profound revelation of the holiness, glory, and redemption work of God. Everything from the curtains to the coverings to the veil itself carries spiritual significance. The glorious inner tabernacle shows heavenly glory; the simple outer curtains speak of hidden majesty; the silver foundation speaks of redemption; and the veil speaks of separation but also the promise of restored communion. Ultimately, the whole idea of the Tabernacle looks forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, the real and better Tabernacle.

George G. Ruheni, PhD.