Bible in 365 Days

Exodus 25-27

Exodus 25

Here we begin consideration of the transactions of the forty days. Moses received instruction concerning a place of worship for the nation. It is important that we attempt to understand what this meant to the people at the time. The great underlying principles are all realized and fulfilled in Christianity.

The instructions began, not with the structure, but with its contents. An Ark was to be prepared and its place was to be at the very center of everything. The Ark with the covering cherubim symbolized that God dwelt among them. The mercy seat above it was a witness to a divine method to God.

The next instructions concerned the table of shewbread. In the East a table was always the symbol of fellowship. Thus the people were reminded of the possibility created of constant communion with God.

Instructions followed concerning the golden candlestick which was a light bearer symbolizing the testimony these people were called on to bear to the outside world. As between themselves and God the propitiatory or mercy seat had made fellowship possible, so between the nation and the world the same provision made testimony a necessity. Light shining in darkness is ever the symbol of holiness and hope. The very form of the candlestick indicated the unity of the people and the diversity of their service and testimony.

These three were the essential pieces of furniture at the center of the national life and religion: first, a meeting place with God on the basis of propitiation, second, a table for fellowship between God and His people, and, finally, a candlestick indicating the office to which they were called.

Exodus 26

Continuing the outward movement of description from the Ark as center, we have instructions concerning the curtains and coverings which were to constitute the Tabernacle and Tent. There was unquestionably symbolic suggestiveness in everything. Fine twined linen was the symbol of purity, the blue of heavenly glory, the purple of kingly majesty, the scarlet of the richness of created life, while the inwrought cherubim symbolized the highest realization of life.

The boards and bars constituted the solid foundations on which the curtains and the coverings were to rest. These boards were set in sockets of silver made out of the ransom money which the people had brought. Because of its extreme durability, the acacia wood was the symbol of continuity Standing these boards in the sockets of silver symbolized the fact that continuous life is founded in redemption.

In the veil hanging between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies and in the screen hanging between the court and the Holy Place we have symbols of exclusion. The material and colors of the inner veil spoke of absolute perfection. This veil symbolized that man can draw near to God only by the way of perfection. No man was ever found who could pass that veil in his own right until in fulfillment of the symbolism one Man did go beyond it. When presently the high priest passed behind the veil, he carried with him the blood of propitiation, not merely for the people he represented, but first for himself.

Exodus 27

Here we have the account of the court surrounding the Tabernacle and the Tent and here again the description begins from the inside. First, the brazen altar is described. It symbolized devotion on the basis of sacrifice. Once more the acacia wood spoke of the necessity for continuous devotion while the brass symbolized the strength of that devotion. As will be seen later on, the sin sacrifice was offered outside the camp. Here its ashes, mingled with offerings, formed the groundwork of acceptance.

The whole court was to be enclosed by curtains of finely twined linen. There was no intermixture of gold or blue, or scarlet, save at the gates of entrance. These exterior curtains were to be upheld by pillars set in sockets of brass and capped by crowns of silver, the whole suggestive of purity based on the strength of government and crowned by the fact of redemption.

The screen to be hung at the entrance was similar to that before the Holy Place. Thus the worshiper, standing outside each entrance, was reminded by the screen of the court, the screen of the Holy Place and the veil of the Most Holy, that there could be no approach to God save on the basis of perfection. No man might pass within the court to reach the altar of devotion save through the symbol of mediation. None might enter the Holy Place for fellowship and testimony but in the same way. None might reach the inner Presence chamber of the manifested Glory except through perfection.