# Overview Exodus Chapter 26 provides detailed instructions for the construction of the #Tabernacle, the sacred dwelling place where #God would meet with the Israelites. The chapter describes the specific materials to be used, including fine linen, goat hair, ram skins, and acacia wood, each with its symbolic significance. The precise measurements and craftsmanship reflect the holiness and perfection of #God's design. The chapter outlines the structure's various components, such as the curtains, boards, and bars, emphasizing the importance of following #God's command to the letter. These instructions underscore the principle of divine order and obedience, as the #Tabernacle is to be a reflection of heavenly realities, a point of contact between #God and His people. The chapter also details the creation of the #Veil, a significant element separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the #Ark of the Covenant would be placed. This separation signifies the holiness of #God and the need for mediation between #God and humanity. The veil, crafted with cherubim, symbolizes the presence of heavenly beings and the barrier between the divine and the earthly. Exodus 26 thus not only details the physical construction but also conveys theological truths about #God’s holiness, the necessity of atonement, and the anticipation of the ultimate mediator, [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], who would one day provide access to #God through the tearing of the veil at His crucifixion. ## Theological Insights Exodus 26 delves into the detailed instructions for the construction of the #Tabernacle, which is a profound representation of God’s desire to dwell among His people. The meticulous design of the #Tabernacle illustrates the holiness and orderliness of God, reflecting His majestic nature and His approachability through prescribed means. Each component of the Tabernacle, from the curtains and frames to the coverings and partitions, signifies specific aspects of divine worship and the presence of God among the #Israelites. The #Tabernacle serves as a precursor to the later #Temple built by #Solomon, and ultimately to the coming of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], who is described as "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" in [[John/John Chapter 1]]:14. The word "dwelt" is derived from the concept of "tabernacling," indicating that Jesus Himself is the fulfillment and embodiment of God's presence with His people. The use of materials such as gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine linen points to the splendor and glory of God’s presence and the sanctity of the space where He meets with His people. The inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, where the #Ark of the Covenant resides, symbolizes the heavenly throne room of God, foreshadowing the heavenly realities that believers have access to through Christ, as seen in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 9]]. The veils and curtains within the Tabernacle can be seen as barriers that separate the holy from the unholy, emphasizing the necessity of purification and sanctification to approach a holy God. Yet, these barriers are ultimately torn down through the sacrificial work of Jesus, as described in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]]:51, where the veil of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom, signifying direct access to God through Christ. The Tabernacle also embodies the concept of God’s covenant relationship with His people, a theme that resonates throughout the #OldTestament and is fulfilled in the New Covenant through Christ's sacrifice, as outlined in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31]]:31-34. In summary, Exodus 26 is not merely an architectural blueprint but a theological statement of God’s holiness, His desire for relationship with humanity, and a foreshadowing of the ultimate dwelling of God with man through [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Instruction and Obedience Exodus 26 continues the narrative of the #Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following God's precise instructions. This theme of divine instruction is resonant throughout Scripture, where obedience to God's commands is crucial. For example, Noah's adherence to God's specifications for the ark in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 6]] and Moses' obedience in leading the Israelites according to God's guidance in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 3]] reflect similar themes. This pattern underscores the importance of meticulous obedience to God’s commands as an expression of faith. ### Sacred Space and God's Presence The detailed instructions for the construction of the #Tabernacle underscore the importance of sacred space as a means for God to dwell among His people. This theme is echoed in the construction of the #Temple by #Solomon in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 6]], serving as a permanent dwelling place for God's presence. The concept of sacred space points to God's desire to be present with His people, which is ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], referred to as "Immanuel," meaning "God with us" in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]]. ### Covenant and Community The Tabernacle serves as a physical representation of the #Covenant between God and #Israel. This theme of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, beginning with God's covenant with #Abraham in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 15]] and extending to the New Covenant through Jesus in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 22]]. The Tabernacle’s role as a communal worship center emphasizes the community aspect of the covenant, where the people of Israel are called to gather and experience God's presence collectively. ### Holiness and Separation The construction details of the Tabernacle, including the use of specific materials and careful separation of sacred spaces, highlight the theme of holiness and separation. This theme is further explored in the #Levitical laws, which outline the distinctions between holy and common, clean and unclean in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 11]]. The emphasis on holiness signifies God's otherness and the need for His people to be distinct from the surrounding nations, reflecting God's own holiness in their lives. ### Symbolism and Foreshadowing The elements of the Tabernacle, such as the #Ark of the Covenant, the #GoldenLampstand, and the #Veil, are rich in symbolism and foreshadow the work of Christ. The veil, for instance, which separates the Holy of Holies, is a precursor to the veil being torn at Jesus' crucifixion in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27]], symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. These elements illustrate how the Tabernacle serves as a shadow of the greater realities fulfilled in the New Testament. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Tabernacle as a Foreshadowing of Christ The detailed instructions for the construction of the #Tabernacle in Exodus 26 point toward a deeper spiritual truth and a prophetic foreshadowing of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. The Tabernacle represents God's dwelling among His people, a theme that finds its fulfillment in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus. In [[John/John Chapter 1|John 1:14]], it says, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us," using the same language of "dwelling" (Greek: "tabernacled") among His people. Thus, the Tabernacle serves as a prophetic symbol of the incarnation of Christ, God dwelling in human form. ### The Veil as a Symbol of Separation and Reconciliation Exodus 26 describes the veil that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, symbolizing the separation between God and humanity due to sin. This veil is prophetically fulfilled in the tearing of the temple veil at Christ’s crucifixion, as recorded in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27|Matthew 27:51]]. The tearing of the veil signifies the removal of that separation, granting believers direct access to God through the sacrificial death of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], our High Priest, as further explained in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 10|Hebrews 10:19-20]]. ### The Ark of the Covenant and Jesus The instructions for the #ArkOfTheCovenant within the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33-34) directly point to the presence of God with His people. The Ark, containing the tablets of the Law, is a physical manifestation of God's covenant with Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus embodies the fullness of God's covenant promises and His law, as seen in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 9|Hebrews 9:11-15]], where Christ is portrayed as the mediator of a new covenant, offering eternal redemption. The Ark, therefore, prophetically points to Jesus, in whom God’s presence dwells fully and who mediates the new covenant. ### The Bread of the Presence The details regarding the Table and the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 26:35) within the Tabernacle prefigure Jesus as the "bread of life," as declared in [[John/John Chapter 6|John 6:35]]. This prophetic imagery highlights the sustenance and life that Jesus offers to all who believe in Him, fulfilling the symbolic role of the bread in the Tabernacle as a sign of God’s provision and presence among His people. ### The Ministry of the Holy Spirit The #Tabernacle, as a portable sanctuary, signifies God's presence moving with His people, which prophetically anticipates the coming of the #HolySpirit to dwell within believers. As seen in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 3|1 Corinthians 3:16]], the church and individual believers become the temple of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophetic role of the Tabernacle as God’s dwelling place among His people, now extended to all who are in Christ by faith. ## Verses - **Exodus 26:1** - "Make the Tabernacle from ten curtains of finely woven linen. Decorate the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim." - **Exodus 26:2** - "These ten curtains must all be exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide." - **Exodus 26:3** - "Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, then join the other five into a second long curtain." - **Exodus 26:4** - "Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each set." - **Exodus 26:5** - "The fifty loops along the edge of one curtain are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other curtain." - **Exodus 26:6** - "Then make fifty gold clasps and fasten the long curtains together with the clasps. In this way, the Tabernacle will be made of one continuous piece." - **Exodus 26:7** - "Make eleven curtains of goat-hair cloth to serve as a tent covering for the Tabernacle." - **Exodus 26:8** - "These eleven curtains must all be exactly the same size—45 feet long and 6 feet wide." - **Exodus 26:9** - "Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, and join the other six into a second long curtain. Allow 3 feet of material from the second set of curtains to hang over the front of the sacred tent." - **Exodus 26:10** - "Make fifty loops for one edge of each large curtain." - **Exodus 26:11** - "Then make fifty bronze clasps and fasten the loops of the long curtains with the clasps. In this way, the tent covering will be made of one continuous piece." - **Exodus 26:12** - "The remaining 3 feet of this tent covering will be left to hang over the back of the Tabernacle." - **Exodus 26:13** - "Allow 18 inches of remaining material to hang down over each side, so the Tabernacle is completely covered." - **Exodus 26:14** - "Complete the tent covering with a protective layer of tanned ram skins and a layer of fine goatskin leather." - **Exodus 26:15** - "For the framework of the Tabernacle, construct frames of acacia wood." - **Exodus 26:16** - "Each frame must be 15 feet high and 27 inches wide," - **Exodus 26:17** - "with two pegs under each frame. Make all the frames identical." - **Exodus 26:18** - "Make twenty of these frames to support the curtains on the south side of the Tabernacle." - **Exodus 26:19** - "Also make forty silver bases—two bases under each frame, with the pegs fitting securely into the bases." - **Exodus 26:20** - "For the north side of the Tabernacle, make another twenty frames," - **Exodus 26:21** - "with their forty silver bases, two bases under each frame." - **Exodus 26:22** - "Make six frames for the rear—the west side of the Tabernacle—" - **Exodus 26:23** - "along with two additional frames to reinforce the rear corners of the Tabernacle." - **Exodus 26:24** - "These corner frames will be matched at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single unit. Both of these corner frames will be made the same way." - **Exodus 26:25** - "So there will be eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle, set in sixteen silver bases—two bases under each frame." - **Exodus 26:26** - "Make crossbars of acacia wood to link the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle" - **Exodus 26:27** - "and five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face west." - **Exodus 26:28** - "The middle crossbar, attached halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other." - **Exodus 26:29** - "Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well." - **Exodus 26:30** - "Set up this Tabernacle according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain." - **Exodus 26:31** - "For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim." - **Exodus 26:32** - "Hang this curtain on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood. Overlay the posts with gold and set them in four silver bases." - **Exodus 26:33** - "Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place." - **Exodus 26:34** - "Then put the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place." - **Exodus 26:35** - "Place the table outside the inner curtain on the north side of the Tabernacle, and place the lampstand across the room on the south side." - **Exodus 26:36** - "Make another curtain for the entrance to the sacred tent. Make it of finely woven linen and embroider it with exquisite designs, using blue, purple, and scarlet thread." - **Exodus 26:37** - "Craft five posts from acacia wood. Overlay them with gold, and hang the curtain from them with gold hooks. Cast five bronze bases for the posts." ### Cross-References by Chapter - **Cherubim** - [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 3]], [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 10]] - **Ark of the Covenant** - [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 25]], [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 9]] - **Most Holy Place** - [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 25]], [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 16]] - **Acacia Wood** - [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 25]], [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 37]]