‏ Exodus 26

* The curtains of the tabernacle. (1-6) The curtains of goats'

hair. (7-14) The boards, sockets, and bars. (15-30) The vail of

the holy of holies, and for the entrance. (31-37)

1-6 God manifested his presence among the Israelites in a

tabernacle or tent, because of their condition in the

wilderness. God suits the tokens of his favour, and the gifts of

his grace, to his people's state and wants. The curtains of the

tabernacle were to be very rich. They were to be embroidered

with cherubim, signifying that the angels of God pitch their

tents round about the church, #Ps 34:7|. 7-14 The curtains of meaner materials, being made both longer

and broader, covered the others, and were defended by coverings

of skins. The whole represents the person and doctrine of

Christ, and the church of true Christians, and all heavenly

things, which outwardly are mean, but inwardly, and in the sight

of God, are glorious and precious. 15-30 The sockets of silver each weighed about 115 pounds; they

were placed in rows on the ground. In every pair of these

sockets, a strong board of shittim-wood, covered with plates of

gold, was fitted by mortises and tenons. Thus walls were formed

for the two sides, and for the west end. The wall was further

held together by bars, which passed through rings of gold. Over

this the curtains were spread. Though movable, it was strong and

firm. The materials were very costly. In all this it was a type

of the church of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles

and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone,

#Eph 2:20,21|. 31-37 A vail, or curtain, separated the holy place from the

most holy place. It was hung upon pillars. This vail was for a

partition between the holy place and the most holy; which

forbade any to look into the holiest of all. The apostle tells

what was the meaning of this vail, #Heb 9:8|. That the

ceremonial law could not make the comers thereunto perfect, nor

would the observance of it bring men to heaven; the way into the

holiest of all was not made manifest, while the first tabernacle

was standing. Life and immortality lay hidden till they were

brought to light by the gospel; which was signified by the

rending of this vail at the death of Christ, #Mt 27:51|. We have

now boldness to enter into the holiest, in all acts of worship,

by the blood of Jesus; yet such as obliges us to holy reverence.

Another vail was for the outer door of the tabernacle. This vail

was all the defence the tabernacle had. God takes care of his

church on earth. A curtain shall be, if God please to make it

so, as strong a defence to his house, as gates of brass and bars

of iron. With this typical description of Christ and his church

before us, what is our judgment of these matters? Do we see any

glory in the person of Christ? any excellence in his character?

any thing precious in his salvation? or any wisdom in the

doctrine of the cross? Will our religion bear examination? and

are we more careful to approve our hearts to God than our

characters toward men?