Study
Series
Lesson 15 – The Curtains Of The Tabernacle
Exodus 26:1-6 - 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.
Goats' Hair; Rams' Skin Dyed Red; White Linen With Enwove Cherubim
There were various curtains and coverings involved in the Tabernacle.
These Curtains and Coverings were hung or draped over the Framework. Some
diagrams suggest that the final Coverings were placed in a tent position over
tent poles. As to the specific arrangement of these Coverings we are not told.
The materials and order of these curtains and coverings make an interesting
lesson in this ongoing study of God's dwelling place - THE TABERNACLE.
The Order
The Curtains and Coverings for the Tabernacle were laid out in the following order:
It is suggested that the first two were Curtains and that the next two were the Coverings;
Numbers 4:25 - And they shall bear the
curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation,
his covering, and the covering of the badgers'
skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation,
Make The
Tabernacle With Ten Curtains
Exodus 26:1 - 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.
Moses was told to make the
Tabernacle with TEN CURTAINS. Ten is the number of the Ten Commandments and
represent the LAW COVENANT. These curtains thus speak to us of Jesus as the
FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW. He is the only MAN who ever kept the Law and the
Commandments of God entirely. The entire Law, the Moral, the Civil and the
Ceremonial Law were FULFILLED IN HIM.
Psalm 40:6-8 - Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast
thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. [7] Then
said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book
it is written of me, [8] I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea,
thy law is within my heart.
Of Fine Twined Linen...
These ten curtains of fine linen were referred to as times as "the Tabernacle." In Exodus 36:13 we are told in regard to these ten curtains:
Exodus 36:13 - And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one
unto another with the taches: so it became one
tabernacle.
This Tabernacle was to be comprised of TEN CURTAINS of fine twined
linen. Clean, fine, white linen is one of the clearest symbols in Scripture.
Fine linen is always a symbol of righteousness. It speaks first of the
righteousness of Christ as the pattern Son, and second, it points to the
righteousness of the saints who are IN CHRIST. This is not SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Isaiah pictures self-righteousness as filthy rags. Clean, white, fine linen speaks to us of FAITH-RIGHTEOUSNESS. Fine linen is the clothing and garment of the PRIESTS. As we come in faith to the Lord we are ordained to be KINGS AND PRIESTS before God and will wear the same garments. This is not something we put on on the basis of our own merit!
Rev. 19:7-8 - Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the
marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. [8] And to
her was granted that she should be arrayed in
fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all as an unclean thing,
and all our righteousness is as filthy rags;
and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us
away.
Exodus 28:39-43 - And thou shalt embroider
the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the
mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make
the girdle of needlework. [40] And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and
thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for
glory and for beauty. [41] And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and
his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify
them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. [42] And thou shalt
make them linen breeches to cover their
nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: [43] And
they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the
tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to
minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a
statute for ever unto him and his seed after
him.
Rev. 3:5 - He
that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in
white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,
but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Isaiah 61:3 - To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them
beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the
planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. 10 - I will greatly rejoice in
the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he hath covered me with the robe of
righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride
adorns herself with her jewels.
Rev. 7:14 - And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are
they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
And Blue, Purple, And Scarlet
As stated many times in previous lessons, BLUE is the color of HEAVEN. It speaks to us of the Lord Jesus Christ as the SECOND ADAM, the LORD FROM HEAVEN:
1
Cor. 15:47 - The first man is of the earth, earthy:
the second man is the Lord from heaven.
John 1:1-3 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning
with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any
thing made that was made.
John 1:14-18 - 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. [15] John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I
spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
[16] And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. [17] For the
law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. [18] No man
hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the
Father, he hath declared him.
It is interesting that the Children of Israel were to have a RIBBON OF
BLUE upon the border of their garment as a constant reminder of the Heavenly
Commandments and the fact that their citizenship was not an earthly one.
(Numbers 15:32-41).
PURPLE is the color of royalty and kingship. Jesus Christ is not only the Second Adam; He is the KING of KINGS and Lord of LORDS. Blending blue and scarlet produce purple. In Christ there is a blending of the Human and Divine natures in ONE PERSON. He is both Son of God and Son of Man (Luke 1:30-33 and Revelation 19:1-6). This qualifies Him to be our MEDIATOR before God. NONE OTHER is qualified to do that!
SCARLET is the color of Blood and speaks to us of sacrifice and humanity. All through the Old Testament the Israelites were to find atonement on the basis of the sacrifice of animal blood. All of their offerings pointed to the coming of the LAMB OF GOD. This is the one and only sacrifice for sin. Animal blood only pointed to HIS BLOOD. Only HIS BLOOD has the power of ATONEMENT!
These four colors that we see prescribed for the ten curtains are no accidental choice. In fact the very order of these colors is not even arbitrary. This same order for these same colors is repeated about 24 times in the BOOK OF EXODUS. These four colors are typical of the four Gospels that present Jesus Christ as the TRUE TABERNACLE. In relation to the gospels we see:
With Cherubim Of Cunning Work...
These Cherubim were to be inwrought into the linen of "cunning" work. Cherubim do not represent angels, nor do they speak of any human. The inwrought Cherubim speak to us of the intricate workings of the HOLY GHOST in the life of CHRIST as well as the life of the believer. The fine linen speaks of the righteousness of Christ. The Cherubim speaks of His majesty, glory and POWER.
This linen with the inwrought Cherubim would then comprise the ceiling for the Sanctuary. From the description of the Mercy Seat, these Cherubim had wings. They would stretch forth their wings above the Sanctuary under which the Priest ministered. The Priest would in effect be walking, ministering, and enjoying fellowship under the shadow of the wings of the Cherubim. It was a beautiful type and picture of us as New Covenant believer priests ministering "under the shadow of the Almighty."
Psalm 91:1-4 - He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge
and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. [3] Surely he shall deliver thee
from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. [4] He shall
cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth
shall be thy shield and buckler.
Ruth 2:12 - The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of
the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Isaiah 40:30-31 - Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men
shall utterly fall: [31] But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Matthew 23:37 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets, and stone them
which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together,
even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Rev. 12:6 - And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place
prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and
threescore days. 14 - And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle,
that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished
for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
The Length Of One Curtain Will Be 28 Cubits; The Breadth Four Cubits; And All Curtains Shall Have One Measure
Exodus 26:2-6 - 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.
There were TEN CURTAINS, which were arranged in two groups of FIVE.
These two sets of FIVE CURTAINS were joined together by 50 clasps (taches) of
gold and 50 loops of BLUE. When all was joined together it formed and covered
ONE TABERNACLE.
Each of these 10 curtains was 28 cubits in length and 4 cubits in breadth. When these were all joined together as we have just described, they formed a COVERING of 28 cubits wide and 40 (4 x 10) cubits long. This was place over the Framework discussed in Lesson 14. The Board Structure was 10 x 10 x 30 (LxWxH). When the Curtains were place over the framework with the gold taches directly over the veil, the curtains would cover the entire framework. Since the North side (10 cubits) and South side (10 cubits) and the ceiling (10 cubits across) totaled 30 cubits, we see that the Curtains were suspended one cubit above the ground on either side of the Framework.
With the curtains so arranged, they would cover the full length of the Framework with an overhang on the West end of 10 cubits. The full length of the joined Curtains was 40 cubits while the length of the Tabernacle was 30 cubits. Since there was a door for the EAST end of the Tabernacle, the curtains covered the 10 cubits of the west wall as well.
In the very couplings used in these ten curtains there are three important symbols:
Make A Covering Of Goats Hair To Be Upon The Tabernacle
Exodus 26:7-13 - And thou shalt make curtains
of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven 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 couples 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.
Over the 10 curtains of
fine linen were placed ELEVEN Curtains of Goats' Hair. These Curtains are
referred to many times in Scripture as "the tent" as well as the covering:
Exodus 35:11 - The
tabernacle, his tent, and his covering,
his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,
Exodus 36:14 - And he made curtains of goats'
hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them.
Exodus 40:19 - And he spread abroad the tent
over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as
the Lord commanded Moses.
Numbers 3:25 - And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the
congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the
tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation,
There were to be ELEVEN curtains making up this Goats' Hair Covering. Eleven is the number of LAWLESSNESS and DISORDER and is associated throughout Scripture with sin and rebellion. ELEVEN is one more than TEN that speaks of LAW and ORDER and one less than TWELVE, which speaks of APOSTOLIC GOVERNMENT. There were 12 apostles of the Lamb. There were TEN commandments. There were ELEVEN disciples after JUDAS sinned and fell.
This symbol is brought together in the Tabernacle with the Goats' hair. The Goat was one of the animals used in Israel for sacrifice. It was used primarily in connection with the SIN OFFERING on the Day of Atonement and the cleansing of the Sanctuary:
Leviticus 5:6 - And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord for his
sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a
kid of the goats, for a sin offering;
and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.
Leviticus 9:3 - And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying,
Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering;
and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt
offering;
Leviticus 16:5-11 - And he shall take of the congregation of the children of
Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering,
and one ram for a burnt offering. [6] And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the
sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for
his house. [7] And he shall take the two goats,
and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation. [8] And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the
Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat. [9] And Aaron shall bring the goat
upon which the Lord's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. [10] But the
goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before
the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into
the wilderness. [11]
And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and
shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the
bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:
The Goat was used in connection with three FEASTS OF ISRAEL. It was used in the Feast of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. On the Day of Atonement, two Goats were to be taken. One was to be killed for a sin offering, the other was to be preserved alive to be used as the SCAPEGOAT. In connection with the Feast of Passover, the Israelites were instructed to offer "one Goat for a Sin offering to make atonement for you." (Numbers 28:22). The goat is always used in connection with the SIN OFFERING (Lev. 4:23)
Jesus gives us a picture of unrepentant sinners in Matthew 25 and labeled them as "goats." So in this covering of goats' hairs, we see the thought of sin and rebellion. The curtains speak to us of the fact that JESUS BECAME SIN FOR US that we might be "covered" from the wrath of God upon all who sin and we might have the righteousness of Christ. He was offered to bear the sins of many!
2
Cor. 5:19-21 - 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the
word of reconciliation. [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to
God. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for
us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Romans 8:3 - For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness
of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Hebrews 9:26-28 - For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of
the world: but now once in the end of the world
hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] And as
it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [28]
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation.
Hebrews 10:11-14 -
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins: [12] But this man, after
he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,
sat down on the right hand of God; [13] From henceforth expecting till
his enemies be made his footstool. [14] For by
one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Isaiah 53:10 - Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:
when thou shalt make his soul an offering for
sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure
of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
The length of these curtains was to be 30 cubits. Thirty is the number of the consecration of the Priesthood. Each priest had to be 30 years of age before he could minister. Jesus was 30 years of age when He began His Priestly ministry, which consummated with His being offered as a SIN OFFERING for us at Calvary. Jesus was consecrated to the Father's Will, even to the death of the CROSS. He was both a PRIEST and an OFFERING!
Numbers 4:3 - From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all
that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Luke 3:23 - And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as
was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
The width of the curtains was FOUR cubits. This speaks to us of the four corners of the earth where the gospel will be spread throughout the Church Age. For God so loved the WORLD, that He GAVE His only begotten Son.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The 11 curtains were to be in two sets, a set of five and a set of six and joined by 50 taches and loops. Once again, this speaks to us of the number 50 in scripture, which is the number of LIBERTY, FREEDOM, PENTECOST and JUBILEE. These taches (clasps) were to be made of BRASS, which is a type of judgment against SIN. How fitting that BRASS taches be used in this BLACK COVERING. Brass is linked to the SIN OFFERING. Sin must always be judged for the wages of unrepented sin is DEATH! But intertwined in the sin offering are 50 taches that speak to us of the freedom from the penalty of death and sin we find in CHRIST! Praise the Lord!
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Make A Covering Of Rams' Skins' Dyed
Red
Exodus 26:14 - And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of
rams' skins dyed red, and a covering
above of badgers' skins.
The next covering was made
of Rams' Skins and is spoken of expressly as a "Covering." The RAM was used as a
TRESPASS OFFERING, Burnt Offerings and Peace Offerings:
Leviticus 5:15 - If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the
holy things of the Lord; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the Lord a
ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of
silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for
a trespass offering:
Leviticus 8:18 - And he brought the ram for
the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head
of the ram.
Leviticus 9:4 - Also a bullock and a ram for
peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord; and a meat offering
mingled with oil: for to day the Lord will appear unto you.
The animal was also called "The Ram of Consecration." It spoke of
substitution for it was the Ram, which was used in the consecration of the
Priests to minister (Lev. 8:22). The first place in the Bible we see the Ram in
the Bible is of course in Genesis 22 when it was used as a SUBSTITUTE for ISAAC,
the son of Abraham on Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22:8-13)
This is all prophetic of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who became the LAMB OF GOD to take away the sin of the world (John 1:28, 36). It reveals Christ as the:
Hebrews 9:26-28 - For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of
the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin
by the sacrifice of himself. [27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment: [28] So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without
sin unto salvation.
Hebrews 7:25-28 - Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them. [26]
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; [27] Who needs not daily, as
those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for
the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. [28] For the law
makes men high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was
since the law, makes the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
1 Cor. 15:4 - And
that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures:
Galatians 1:4 - Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from
this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
This Rams' covering is a type of the covering Christ has provided for the Church that we may partake of HIS NATURE and SPIRIT!. We are to give ourselves to receive HIM!
Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 4:25 - Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our
justification,.
Rams’ Skin Dyed Red
These Rams' skins were to be DYED RED. RED is the color of
sacrificial blood and is identified in the cleansing of sin. The Rams' Skins
dyed red were the central covering of the Tabernacle pointing to the central
figure of the GODHEAD - JESUS CHRIST. They are typical of the sacrifice of the
Lord Jesus and His shed blood for our sin. He is our Redeemer and that Ram of
Consecration who was sold out to the will of the Father and brought to us an
EVERLASTING COVENANT OF SALVATION!
His blood has cleansed us from our sins!
Isaiah 1:18 - Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they
shall be as wool.
In our Lord's first advent, His garments were DYED RED in the blood of
ATONEMENT. In His second advent, His garments are also DYED RED in the blood of
HIS ENEMIES. Here the dyed Red Garments of the Lord speak not of Atonement, but
of judgment on sinners. There is coming a day when the GRACE of the Lord Jesus
will end and VENGEANCE will be poured out upon all the ungodly and unrepentant:
Isaiah 63:1-3 - Who is this that cometh from Edom,
with dyed garments from Bozrah? this
that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I
that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. [2]
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and
thy garments like him that treads in the wine fat? [3] I have trodden the
winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them
in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled
upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Rev. 19:11-14 - And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that
sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge
and make war. [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many
crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13]
And he was clothed with vesture dipped in
blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies, which
were in heaven, followed him upon white horses, clothed in
fine linen, white and clean.
Make A Covering Of Badgers' Skin
Exodus 26:14 -
And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red,
and a covering above of badgers' skins.
The outer and final covering, over all and above all, was the covering of Badgers' Skins. Even as the Rams' Skins had no recorded measurements, so also we are given no measurements for this covering. Some scholars believe these badgers' skins were seal or porpoise skins of a bluish-gray color. The Septuagint translates from "skins of a blue color." Whatever the case, these skins acted as the final PROTECTION from the storms, the weather and heat of the desert and wilderness life. Badgers' Skins were used as a covering for all of the vessels of the Tabernacle when they were in transit.
Badgers' skins were not a precious fur or skin. There was NO NATURAL beauty to the human eye in gazing upon the Tabernacle. Only the Priests who experienced the inside of the Tabernacle found out where the real beauty was.
This is the same that is true of Jesus Christ. Isaiah declares:
Isaiah 53:1-3 - Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the
Lord revealed? [2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a
root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor
comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire
him. [3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was
despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 52:14 - As many were astounded at thee;
his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of
men:
To the natural and unregenerate man - nothing about Him is beautiful or attractive. But to those who are IN CHRIST and belong to HIM - "He is altogether lovely," (So. of Solomon 5:16). He is seen in great glory and beauty. Natural man cannot receive the things of God. These badgers' skin testified to the coming Messiah who would be rejected by Israel because they did not discern who He was or what He had come to do:
Hebrews 1:3 - Who being the brightness of his
glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by
the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the
right hand of the Majesty on high;
Col. 1:19 - For it pleased the Father that in him
should all fullness dwell;
Song 5:16 - His
mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether
lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of
Jerusalem.
In Summary:
These are the four curtains and coverings of the Tabernacle of Moses. The Ark of Noah had its covering as well. ALL COVERINGS in the Bible pertain to the COVERING FOR THE CHURCH that has been given to it through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Christ is our:
He Covers Us! Praise God.
Isaiah 61:10 - I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Part One: Fill In The Blank