Exodus 26:1-37
~14 min read
💭 Consider this: What “veils” might we fabricate in our lives that separate us from God? How can we tear down these barriers?
TRANSCRIPT
I greet all of you in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our text for tonight's message is a long one. It is taken from Exodus 26:1-37. In one of our previous messages, I made a statement that the most remarkable structure ever constructed was the Tabernacle of God. And the reason was because it was the only building designed by God, it was built according to His plans. God Himself was the Architect.
But that was not the only reason why the Tabernacle was the most remarkable structure. It was the place where God would meet His people. It does not mean that God was confined to the four walls of the Tabernacle. As King Solomon said, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” (1 Kings 8:27). But God chose to dwell in the Tabernacle so that sinners could meet Him there. In a sense, the Tabernacle was the first earthly residence of the Almighty God.
Therefore, it was extremely important that Moses was given detailed instructions as to how the Tabernacle was to be built. Here — in Exodus 26 — a whole chapter was dedicated to the construction of the Tabernacle. Most people would glance through this chapter because they are not interested in architectural plans. But rather than just skipping through this chapter, it is important for us to study it because “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable… for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And it must include this chapter as well.
Today, when we construct a building, we will first begin with the structure. And once the structure is constructed then we will consider the renovation inside the building, the partitions to form the rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. And finally, we will consider the things that go into those rooms, the furniture and other decorative accessories. Interestingly, when it comes to the Tabernacle, God first began with what went inside the Tabernacle — the Ark of the Covenant, the table of shewbread, and the lampstand — which we have learned in our previous messages. And then He went on to give detailed instructions on the building itself.
The reason was very simple. Because what was inside the Tabernacle — the Holy of Holies — was the Ark of the Covenant, where the glorious presence of God was. In other words, the whole Tabernacle was built for this special purpose: to house the Ark of the Covenant. Perhaps one important lesson we can learn from here is that we often focus on the outside rather than the inside. We focus on what is less important rather than that which is significant.
By that, I mean we focus on our house, the building, the size, the location. Rather than the people dwelling in the house, our family. We focus on our church building, the activities, the programs, the resources. Rather than the true element of the worship of God. Married couples or about to get married couples will focus on the wedding reception, the guest list, who gets invited, the food, the restaurant. Rather than the spiritual union between the two people and what holy matrimony is all about.
So, as we consider this chapter about the construction of the Tabernacle, let us not forget the spiritual significance and what it has to do with us. The title of our message is ‘The Veil That Separates’.
From verse 1-29, God told Moses how to make the Tabernacle proper. The covering for the Tabernacle was made up of different layers of fabric. The innermost layer was made with ten sheets of fabric, each about 6ft by 42ft. They were sewn together in sets of five to make two huge curtains, which were then joined together by fifty hooks. They were placed over a frame to cover the roof and the sides of the Tabernacle. The material was fine linen of blue, purple, and scarlet, with images of cherubims, most likely to represent the angels who guarded the House of God.
The second layer of curtains was made of goat's hair. It was slightly larger than the ones underneath, about 6ft by 44ft. And they covered the innermost layer completely. Then, two more layers were put on top to protect whatever was underneath, like waterproof to protect it from the elements. These outer layers were made of leather, ram skins and the weather-resistant skins of the sea cows.
Every tent needs poles, and the Tabernacle was no exception. There were nearly fifty pillars made of wood covered with gold, measuring about 15ft tall for support. These pillars rested on silver sockets, two for each pillar, total almost one hundred of them for stability. The pillars were connected by golden crossbars. The whole structure could be dismantled. As the children of Israel moved from place to place, the Tabernacle would move along with them.
Today, there are people who try to make a replica of the Tabernacle. But if you compare those models, you will see differences. This is because no one has ever seen the original diagram of the Tabernacle. According to verse 30, Moses was the only person who has ever seen the original diagram. God had commanded him to build the Tabernacle according to the specifications. Once God had told Moses how to build the main tent, He went on to tell him what to put inside.
Let us turn to verse 31, Exodus 26. “And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined” — or twisted — “linen of cunning work”. “[Cunning] work” means carefully crafted work. “[With] cherubims shall it be made: And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy” (Exodus 26:31-33).
The whole Tabernacle measured approximately 15ft wide by 40ft long. The Holy Place was a rectangle, 15ft wide by 30ft long. The Most Holy Place — or the Holy of Holies — was a perfect cube, 15ft wide by 15ft long. Separating these two rooms was a veil, a huge curtain suspended by golden hooks. Verse 34, “And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side” (Exodus 26:34-35).
So, inside the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant. And in the Holy Place outside was the table of showbread and the lampstand. Finally, in verses 36-37, Moses was told to make a curtain for the door at the entrance of the Tabernacle. It was made with the same material as the innermost layer of the Tabernacle. So much for the comprehensive, detailed instructions as to the material and measurement of the Tabernacle.
I. What It Meant To Them
But what did it mean for the children of Israel? The children of Israel knew that the Tabernacle was the place for them to meet God. That was why God took great care to make sure that Moses built it according to the specifications. The Tabernacle was at the center of their camp. They could visually see the physical Tabernacle. But at the same time, they were confronted with a harsh reality, they were not allowed to go inside. They could see it from a distance — they knew that God dwelt in the Holy of Holies — but they never had a chance to see past the door, let alone go inside and meet with God.
Only the priests could enter to perform their priestly duties. And as soon as they entered, they themselves were confronted with this huge veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The only way the people could enter God's presence was to send a representative, the high priest. And the only way their representative could go into the Holy of Holies was by carrying an atoning sacrifice for his own sins as well as the sins of the people.
The way the Tabernacle was constructed with the separating veil was to teach the children of Israel that God was perfectly holy. And they, as sinners, were separated from Him because of their sins, unless their sins were atoned for. And even then, they could only send a representative to go on their behalf. The veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies shows the enormous gap that existed between a holy and just God and the people. It was like saying, ‘This far you may come, but no further’. They could only behold the glory of God from a distance. So, that was the Tabernacle from the perspective of the children of Israel.
II. What It Means To Us
But what does it mean to us? Now, fast forward to the New Testament. The Gospel of John said in John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”. The word “dwelt” comes from the Greek word for Tabernacle. In other words, it can be translated, ‘And the Word, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was made flesh and tabernacled among us’. Jesus Christ was the Tabernacle of God.
We have seen how carefully and comprehensively God designed the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Now, consider how complex it was for the Son of God to become a man and to live as one person with two natures, one divine nature and one human nature. Consider the mysteries of His virgin birth. Consider the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit and the miraculous conception of Christ. Consider how His deity was joined to His humanity as He took on not only a human body but also a human heart, mind, and will.
It was already so complex for God to dwell in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. How much more can we ever fathom, our finite minds can ever comprehend, that God took on flesh and tabernacled among men? Then, consider the high priest who represented the people to go into the presence of God. Only once a year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was allowed to pass through the veil into the Holy of Holies to sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat for the sins of the people. Even then, it was only for a brief period of time.
When the high priest went into the Holy of Holies, it was believed that there were bells attached to his garments. Just in case, if he had gone in there and was in any sense unclean, he would be struck dead. And the people would know he was dead because they could not hear the bells. They could not enter the Holy of Holies to pull him out so they could only pull him out by the ropes attached to him. As long as they heard the bells, they knew he was still alive and moving around. That was just how serious it was to approach the presence of God. This ritual had to be repeated every year, anticipating the One and True Sacrifice for sins that the Son of God Himself would one day offer.
Remember in our previous lesson about the Ark of the Covenant. Inside the Ark contained the two tablets of the Law, the Ten Commandments. And God was believed to dwell above the Mercy Seat. It was actually a picture of judgment. The holy and just God of the entire universe looking down at the Law and He knew it had been broken. And He knew He had to punish the people for their sins. This dramatic illustration was a constant reminder of God's judgment for the sins of the people.
How then can a sinful person approach the righteous God? ‘Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins’ (Hebrews 9:22). An innocent victim, a perfect victim, the Unblemished Lamb, had to die in the people's place. And by virtue of the blood of the Unblemished Lamb — instead of pouring His wrath on the sins of the people — God now will be able to show grace and mercy to them. All the Old Testament sacrifices point to the ultimate final atonement of Jesus Christ, and our Lord Jesus accomplished that on the cross of Calvary.
That was why when John the Baptist saw Jesus Christ, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). If you have your Bibles, maybe you can turn with me to Matthew 27:51. Just one verse. This was the time when Jesus shed His precious blood and died on the cross. “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom”. This tells us that His salvation work was accomplished, the price was paid, and God's wrath for sins was appeased.
So when Jesus died and gave up His spirit, that once-for-all sacrifice was completed. And there was no longer any need for the veil, that was why the veil was torn into two. Now man was able to go to God directly — by faith — without the need of the priest, the sacrifice, or the ritual. The veil torn into two signified that the barrier of sin was removed forever for those who put their trust in the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, for salvation.
If I can give you an illustration. Let’s say you are not able to see your wife because you have to go overseas for work in some remote places. And the only way you can see her is through some photographs you have of her. So each time you miss her, you look at those photographs. Then, one day finally, you are able to be physically reunited with her. Those photographs will no longer serve any purpose. Why? Because you are now able to see her personally.
This is what happened when the veil was torn into two. It signified that the final sacrifice had taken place. And so the sacrificial system and the priesthood of Israel — which were but types and symbols of the reality — had ceased to have any symbolic value. It is good to be reminded that at this point in time, when the veil was torn into two, the temple was filled with worshippers because of the Passover celebration. Interestingly, the veil was torn into two at 3:00pm in the afternoon, which was the time the priests were preparing for the evening sacrifices.
Can you imagine? The priests were getting ready for the sacrifices, and all of a sudden, the veil was torn into two. They would have seen it, and no doubt, they would have the greatest shock of their lives. According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, the veil was about 4 inches thick, and it took more than 100 priests to move it, and even horses could not tear it apart. So, humanly speaking, it was impossible for the veil to be torn into two from top to bottom.
But sadly, the Jews did not understand the significance of the veil being torn into two. So they continued the sacrificial system and priesthood for another 40 years, until AD 70, when the Roman general, Titus, destroyed the Temple. Only then — without the physical temple — were they forced to stop the sacrificial system and the priesthood. In other words, when the veil was torn into two, they repaired it. It was business as usual. The people were still having their sacrifices, they were still going to the priests.
When we look at our Roman Catholic friends, are they not doing the same thing today? They are still going to the priests. They are still confessing their sins in the confession boxes, and let the priests mediate on their behalf. They are still trusting in the rituals and ceremonies. How sad. For us, believers, we understand that when Jesus died and the veil was torn into two, the sacrificial system and priesthood had come to an end. We do not need anyone to represent us before God. We do not need any further sacrifices to come before God. As Hebrews 10:19 says, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest” — referring to the Holy of Holies — “by the blood of Jesus”.
It was on the basis of Christ’s blood that the veil was torn into two. It was on the basis of Jesus Christ that you and I can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find… help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Dear friends, yes, the veil that separates was torn into two. But we must constantly remind ourselves: ‘It was sin that separates us from God’. And it was Jesus Christ, by virtue of His death and the shedding of His precious blood, that the veil that separates was torn into two.
How then can we take our sins lightly? How then can we say, ‘Well, it is all right, we can sin — whether it be the sin of gossip, lies, cheating, stealing, or living immoral lives — God will forgive’? God forbids. A true, genuine believer will not play the fool with sin. He is not perfect. He does sin from time to time. But he truly understands that it was because of Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross of Calvary, that the veil that separates him from God was torn into two.
So whenever he sins, his heart will be grieved. He will repent and confess his sins. And ask the Lord to forgive and cleanse him by the precious blood of His only begotten Son. The veil that separates was torn into two. And it was by our Lord Jesus Himself. Let us, as we consider our Lord; as we consider our sins, may we take our sins seriously. It is our sins that separate us from God Himself. It was Jesus Christ who removed that veil.
Let us pray. Our Father in Heaven, indeed, as we consider the construction of the Tabernacle, we come to this portion whereby we see the veil that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. How can a person who is sinful approach Thy Majesty? Thou are perfectly righteous and just, and we are sinful. Yet we learn that the veil was torn into two through the salvific work of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Today, we no longer need the sacrificial system or the priesthood. We can go directly to Thee, by faith, in Thy only begotten Son. And we who believe in Thy only begotten Son, how can we take sin lightly; how can we play the fool with sin?
O Lord, remind us always, because as humans we always forget, lest we live our lives with this attitude thinking that: ‘It is alright, we can sin because God forgives’. Indeed, God forgives. But if we are true, genuine believers, we understand that it is because of the death and the shedding of Christ's blood that this veil was removed. We will not play the fool with sin. Each time we sin, it will grieve our hearts, because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We will confess and repent. And ask of Thee to forgive us. May Thou remind us always, lest we forget. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.
THE BOOK OF EXODUSGod’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To PassGod’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To PassExodus 1:1-7
From Prosperity to PersecutionFrom Prosperity to PersecutionExodus 1:8-14
God’s Protection in the Midst of AdversitiesGod’s Protection in the Midst of AdversitiesExodus 1:15-21
The Faith of JochebedThe Faith of JochebedExodus 1:22-2:10
Moses in EgyptMoses in EgyptExodus 2:11-15
Moses in the Desert of MidianMoses in the Desert of MidianExodus 2:16-25
Moses and the Burning BushMoses and the Burning BushExodus 3:1-9
Who Are You?Who Are You?Exodus 3:10-15
Who Am I?Who Am I?Exodus 3:10-15
God’s Message to Israel and EgyptGod’s Message to Israel and EgyptExodus 3:16-22
What If They Still Don’t Believe?What If They Still Don’t Believe?Exodus 4:1-9
Send Someone ElseSend Someone ElseExodus 4:10-17
Moses’ Return to EgyptMoses’ Return to EgyptExodus 4:18-20
When Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got WorseWhen Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got WorseExodus 5:10-21
When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble ComesWhen We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble ComesExodus 5:22-6:5
Having to Learn the Same Lesson TwiceHaving to Learn the Same Lesson TwiceExodus 6:6-12
Faithful or UnfaithfulFaithful or UnfaithfulExodus 6:13-27
What God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and ObedienceWhat God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and ObedienceExodus 6:28-7:7
The First Plague - The River of BloodThe First Plague - The River of BloodExodus 7:14-25
The Second Plague - The FrogsThe Second Plague - The FrogsExodus 8:1-15
The Third PlagueThe Third PlagueExodus 8:16-19
The Fourth PlagueThe Fourth PlagueExodus 8:20-32
The Fifth PlagueThe Fifth PlagueExodus 9:1-7
The Sixth PlagueThe Sixth PlagueExodus 9:8-12
The Seventh PlagueThe Seventh PlagueExodus 9:13-35
The Eighth PlagueThe Eighth PlagueExodus 10:1-20
The Tenth PlagueThe Tenth PlagueExodus 11:1-10
The First PassoverThe First PassoverExodus 12:1-13
The Feast of the Unleavened BreadThe Feast of the Unleavened BreadExodus 12:14-28
Departure From EgyptDeparture From EgyptExodus 12:29-42
This Do In Remembrance of MeThis Do In Remembrance of MeExodus 12:43-51; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!Exodus 12:48-49, Colossians 2:11-12
Redemption and ConsecrationRedemption and ConsecrationExodus 13:1-2, 11-16
Precious Lord, Take My HandPrecious Lord, Take My HandExodus 13:17-22
Between the Desert and the Red SeaBetween the Desert and the Red SeaExodus 14:1-14
Crossing the Red SeaCrossing the Red SeaExodus 14:15-31
The Song of PraiseThe Song of PraiseExodus 15:1-21
Will You Obey Or Not?Will You Obey Or Not?Exodus 15:22-27
The Danger of a Complaining SpiritThe Danger of a Complaining SpiritExodus 16:1-3
God’s Response to Israel’s ComplaintsGod’s Response to Israel’s ComplaintsExodus 16:1-10
The Test of FaithThe Test of FaithExodus 16:11-20
Lessons About the SabbathLessons About the SabbathExodus 16:21-36
Do Not Test GodDo Not Test GodExodus 17:1-17
Lift Up Your HandsLift Up Your HandsExodus 17:8-16
The Blessedness of ReunionThe Blessedness of ReunionExodus 18:1-12
Why Do We Have Leaders?Why Do We Have Leaders?Exodus 18:13-27
I Will Carry You On Eagles’ WingsI Will Carry You On Eagles’ WingsExodus 19:1-6
Approach God Fearlessly or FearfullyApproach God Fearlessly or FearfullyExodus 19:7-15
God Reached Out And SpokeGod Reached Out And SpokeExodus 19:16-25
Thou Shalt Have No Other GodsThou Shalt Have No Other GodsExodus 20:1-3
Thou Shalt Not Make Graven ImagesThou Shalt Not Make Graven ImagesExodus 20:4-6
Thou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s NameThou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s NameExodus 20:7
Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath DayThou Shalt Keep The Sabbath DayExodus 20:8-11
Honour Thy Father And Thy MotherHonour Thy Father And Thy MotherExodus 20:12
Thou Shalt Not KillThou Shalt Not KillExodus 20:13
Thou Shalt Not Commit AdulteryThou Shalt Not Commit AdulteryExodus 20:14
Thou Shalt Not StealThou Shalt Not StealExodus 20:15
Thou Shalt Not LieThou Shalt Not LieExodus 20:16
Thou Shalt Not CovetThou Shalt Not CovetExodus 20:17
The Response To The Ten CommandmentsThe Response To The Ten CommandmentsExodus 20:18-21
How God Wants Us To Worship HimHow God Wants Us To Worship HimExodus 20:22-26
Why Would God Allow Slavery?Why Would God Allow Slavery?Exodus 21:1-11
The Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a lifeThe Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a lifeExodus 21:12-17
The Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eyeThe Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eyeExodus 21:18-36
The Punishment Deters The Crime — property lawsThe Punishment Deters The Crime — property lawsExodus 22:1-15
The Character Of GodThe Character Of GodExodus 22:16-20
Reaching Out To The Down-And-OutReaching Out To The Down-And-OutExodus 22:21-24
The Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of GodThe Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of GodExodus 22:25-31
Truth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But TruthTruth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But TruthExodus 23:1-9
Remember Who God IsRemember Who God IsExodus 23:10-19
What Must We Do To Have VictoryWhat Must We Do To Have VictoryExodus 23:20-33
How We Ought To Worship GodHow We Ought To Worship GodExodus 24:1-4, 7
On What Basis Can We Approach His Majesty?On What Basis Can We Approach His Majesty?Exodus 24:4-8
Responding To God’s InvitationResponding To God’s InvitationExodus 24:9-18
The Right Attitude Of GivingThe Right Attitude Of GivingExodus 25:1-8
There I Will Meet YouThere I Will Meet YouExodus 25:9-22
Physical Or Spiritual Bread, Which Is More Important?Physical Or Spiritual Bread, Which Is More Important?Exodus 25:23-30
Let Your Light So Shine Before MenLet Your Light So Shine Before MenExodus 25:31-40
The Veil That SeparatesThe Veil That SeparatesExodus 26:1-37
A Day In Thy Court Is Better Than A ThousandA Day In Thy Court Is Better Than A ThousandExodus 27:1-19
Who Can Represent Us Before God?Who Can Represent Us Before God?Exodus 27:20-28:14
How Can We Know God’s Will?How Can We Know God’s Will?Exodus 28:15-30
If Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up HenceIf Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up HenceExodus 33:12-23
