THE TABERNACLE: ITS CURTAINS AND COVERINGS

The curtains of linen were called “the Tabernacle”; those of goat hair were called “the tent”; while the ram skins and badger skins were called “coverings.” Compare numbers 3:25; 4:25.

1. THE CURTAINS OF FINE LINEN – Exodus 26:1-6; 36:8-13

The ten curtains hung over the board framework, thus forming a roof and also covering the boards to within a cubit of the ground on three sides, the front being closed by a separate “hanging.”  

The fine twined linen tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, prefigured the spot less man in whom the Father abode.  John 1:14; Collosians 2:9; Hebrews 7:20 “holy undefiled.”

The colors embroidered in the linen speaks of Christ as divine (blue) as king (purple), as Saviour (scarlet).  See THE WALL AND ITS GATE for details concerning the colors.  The cherubim indicate the divine presence.  Psalm 80:1;  Exodus 26:6.  “Fifty taches of gold” fastened the curtains into one, teaching us that all Christ’s varied activities were untied in one purpose, to glorify the father.

2. THE CURTAINS OF GOAT HAIR – Exodus 27:7-13; 36:14-18

These 11 curtains, called the tent, completely covered the tabernacle.  Being larger than the linen curtains, they reached to the ground.
Goats were used as sin offerings. Leviticus  9:15.  Christ is our sin offering.  Isaiah 53:10 “make His soul an offering  for sin” II Corinthians 5:21.  Hebrews 9:28 “Christ…..offers to bear the sins of many”  Exodus 26:11 “fifty taches of BRASS” fastened the curtains together.  It is because of divine judgment (brass) that the offering of Christ became a covering.

3. THE COVERING OF RAMS SKINS DYED RED – Exodus 26:14; 36:19

The size of this covering is not mentioned.  Possibly it covered the entire tent.  Ram skins suggest SUBSTITUTION; the color, SACRIFICE.  Genesis 22:13 “the ram….in the stead of his son.”  Christ is our Substitute, sacrificed for us Romans 5:6,8 “Christ died for the ungodly…..for us.”  I Peter 3:18 “the just for the unjust”  Galatians 2:20 “for me.”

4. THE COVERING OF BADGERS SKINS – Exodus 26:14; 36:19

This was the outermost covering; it alone was visible from without.  Its appearance did not disclose the wealth and beauty inside.  So Christ, as seen by men, did not display His glory.  Only those “in Christ” see His beauty.” Isaiah 53:2-3 “when we shall see Him, there is no beauty” John 1:10-11 “the world knew him not.”  I Corinthians 1:23 “a stumblingblock, and…..foolishness.” Contrast Colossians 2:3 “in whom are hid all the treasures.”