In these chapters of Exodus, much ado is made of numbers. God does, or says,
nothing by happenstance. The numbers have symbolic meaning. For example, the
number ‘three’ represents the divine and perfect number of God in the Trinity.
One or two straight lines cannot construct an image – three lines are required.
This reflects the Three-Dimensionality of the Triune God. Three
dimensions are required to define any matter. The dimensions of God’ being
infinite in all directions, pervades all time and space. Six is the number of
man since he was created on the sixth day of Creation. The number seven
represents divine completeness – seven days were required for the Creation. The
study of numbers in the Scriptures is referred to as Numerology. The definition
of numerology is: “Bible numerology is the study of individual numbers in Scripture.
It relates particularly to the meaning of numbers, both literal and symbolic.”
Much more can be made of numerology than the Scriptures provide, therefore, we
will try to adhere only to those important symbols that are clearly defined in
Scripture as we interpret the various numbers of items found in the Tabernacle.
There have been definitive studies made by theologians of the past on numerology
including that of EW Bullinger, descendant of the great Swiss reformer, Johann
Bullinger.
1 Moreover
thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and
blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make
them. 2 The length of one curtain shall
be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and
every one of the curtains shall have one measure. 3 The five curtains shall be
coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one
to another. 4 And thou shalt make loops of
blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and
likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the
coupling of the second. 5 Fifty loops shalt thou make in
the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain
that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of
another. 6 And thou shalt make fifty taches
of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one
tabernacle. (Ex
26:1-6)
The number FIVE is generally conceded to represent the number of GRACE. Present
and active during the Creation of the world was Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Out of that Creation came the world, and its wholeness is referred to as four
corners in scripture; therefore, according to Bullinger and others, the number
four signifies the world. Man fell in the Garden and an act of Grace was
required to lift him from his fallen state. The number five is God’s grace
granted to fallen man. There were five curtains on either side of the Tabernacle
signifying the covering of grace given to the people of God.
The number TEN may have special significance when we consider how the number is
incorporated throughout scripture. Ten seems to signify divine order and
perfection. Our number system is based on multiples of ten. Noah was ten
generations removed from Adam, and Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis
5:1-32). Shem was
the father of the Semitic peoples (the same from which the Hebrews sprang).
Abraham is tenth in his generations from Shem (son of Noah). There are Ten
Commandments. (Ex 20:1-17) There were ten plagues executed
against Egypt to free the Children of Israel. (Ex
7:14-12:40) There
are ten virgins representing the Kingdom of Heaven in the parable of Jesus. (Matthew
25:1-13) There are
many other references to the number ten as being significant, but I believe
those just pointed out to be sufficient to inform us of that importance.
Of greater meaning to us than any possible significance of the numbers is the
simplicity and symbology that the Tabernacle design has for us in understanding
the provision of God for His people. Dispensing with the speculation on
numerology, let us look at the simple beauty of the Tabernacle and its meaning.
The Tabernacle manifested the abode of God with, and among, His people.
Wherever they traveled, whether in plenty or scarcity, in the Wilderness, God
was with them. God makes His presence among His people in ways that are most
needful and understandable to them. As we live in the wilderness of this world,
Christ comes to dwell as well in a tabernacle of flesh. Spiritually, our Lord
still dwells in that tabernacle of flesh which is the heart of the believer.
7 And
thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle:
eleven [1]curtains
shalt thou make. 8 The
length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain
four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure. 9 And thou shalt couple five
curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the
sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle. 10 And thou shalt make fifty loops on
the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in
the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. 11 And thou shalt make fifty taches
of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that
it may be one. 12 And
the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that
remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. 13 And a cubit on the one side, and a
cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains
of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on
that side, to cover it. 14 And
thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering
above of badgers' skins.
(Ex
26:7-14) Not a
great deal of thought is required to realize that these elaborate layers of
curtains of goat’s hair would block out any light from the world. The light of
the world is artificial, but the Light of God is Truth. So the Christian should
blot out those false glimmers and gleams of the world’s false lights and keep
his heart illumined by that Light of God within the Temple of God – which is
the heart. The outward appearance of the tabernacle was rough and dark, but
inside there was the Light of God. The true Church may appear as that
impoverished Church of Smyrna, but that church was inwardly rich in the grace
of God. (Rev
2:8-11)
Verses 15 thru 30 give detailed instruction for the construction of acacia wood
boards overlaid with gold for the inner walls of the Tabernacle. You may wonder
how a primitive people would have been handy at such engineering challenges;
but, remember, the children of Israel were captives in Egypt for four hundred
years. They worked with their hands in every art and craft required in the
building of palaces, pyramids, and parapets. They knew how to BUILD things. God
never gives us a greater task than we are capable of performing. Not only were
the interior walls of the Tabernacle appealing for beauty, but the acacia wood
fragrance was sweet and heavenly. Even perfumes today are made from that
fragrance. The fragrance of the heart devoted to God should also emit a sweet
fragrance and appeal to all who know it in beauty.
The curtain covering the entrance to the Holy of Holies made the entrance
undiscoverable until the fullness of time arrived in which the curtain was rent
from top to bottom at the death of Christ. 31 And thou shalt make a vail
of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with
cherubims shall it be made: 32 And thou shalt hang it upon four
pillars of shittim wood[2]
overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of
silver. 33 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. (Ex
26:31-33) Only the
High Priest of the Temple was later privileged to enter, once each year (at
Passover) the Holy of Holies.
The High Priest was our intermediary between God and the
people of God. He still is …………. only our High Priest today is the Lord Jesus
Christ! Our High Priest (Christ) is able to draw ever so closely with God
the Father for He is of His same substance, being His only Begotten Son. He
does not go annually into the Holy of Holies but rather ABIDES there. 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. For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need. (Heb 4:14-16) So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high
priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten
thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the
order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up
prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to
save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect,
he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. (Heb
5:5-10)
And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the
testimony in the most holy place. (Ex 26:34) The Mercy Seat is the Rest we
have in Christ prefigured here. He is the Foundation (Ark) of that Mercy Seat.
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. (Ex 26:35) The Lord’s Table was to be
placed outside the Vail of the Holy of Holies on the north side (side of God)
and the candelabra was placed on the south side. The high priest, in
approaching the Holy of Holies went between the Lord’s Table with the Bread of
Heaven (symbolically, Christ) and the Candle Sticks representing Christ (also)
as the Light of the World. The seven Candles, you will recall, represent the
seven churches and their angels.
There were two veils to the Tabernacle, the Outer Veil which
was the entrance, and the Inner Veil which concealed the Holy of Holies. 36 And thou shalt make an hanging
for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined
linen, wrought with needlework. 37 And thou shalt make for the
hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their
hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them. (Ex 26:36-37) All things, in God’s plan, are
made in order and the labors are fairly divided. The men did the heavy lifting,
and the women did the fine needlework for the curtains. In the Temple of God,
there are many varied stones. But every stone is vitally important since God is
a stickler for detail. Somewhere in the Temple of God, there is a “you-shaped”
void which only your stone can fill. He will have each one that He has chosen
and called for His purpose. Have you discovered that calling in Christ?
