Chapter 26
There is an intriguing place in Ayrshire, Scotland, where cars, bikes, and balls seem to roll uphill on their own. For years, this phenomenon amazed people, and many believed the area had magical or mystical powers. That was until surveyors came and measured the location against sea level. What they discovered shocked everyone: the top of the hill was actually lower than the bottom! So, when a ball was rolled, it appeared to go “uphill,” but in reality, it was simply following the slope.
Many still struggled to understand that the entire hillside was an optical illusion. Our perception of the “uphill” motion was distorted because we were part of the landscape and could only view it from our limited perspective. It’s truly fascinating when you think about it. I’ve also heard of similar spots in California.
This chapter really made me think about directional perspective. It might sound complicated, but it’s simply about how we see or perceive things based on the direction we’re looking from. We tend to view the world from our own perspective. For example, in the USA, Mexico is always to the south, while in Brazil, it’s always to the north.
There’s so much to unpack in this chapter. When we view things through the right “equipment” —Jesus—we gain a whole new spiritual perspective. I’ve pointed out a few things that stood out to me, but I know there’s so much more to discover.
Curtain of Linen [The “Heart” of the Tabernacle]
1 “Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker. 2 All the curtains are to be the same size–twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide. 3 Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five. 4 Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set. 5 Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. 6 Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit.
[Notice how God describes the design from the inside out? From His perspective. He started with the Holy of Holies and moved outward. This part seems to describe heaven itself, and sounds very much like the description John gives us in the book of Revelation.]
Curtains of Goat Hair [The Top Covering]
7 Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle–eleven altogether. 8 All eleven curtains are to be the same size–thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. 9 Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. 10 Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. 11 Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit. 12 As for the additional length of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the tabernacle. 13 The tent curtains will be a cubit longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it. 14 Make for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.
[We can not overlook the Most Holy, and the furniture we know already point to Jesus. Look here and we see that the Tabernacle was to be covered by skin! Who do you think that is in reference to?]
Boards and Sockets [The Frame – The “bones”]
15 Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16 Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide, 17 with two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 18 Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 19 and make forty silver bases to go under them–two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 20 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames 21 and forty silver bases–two under each frame. 22 Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 23 and make two frames for the corners at the far end. 24 At these two corners they must be double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both shall be like that. 25 So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases–two under each frame.
26 Also make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 28 The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames. 29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.
30 Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain
[Silver is the metal associated with redemption and payment for sin. Jesus was also betrayed for silver. The Tabernacles foundations was silver, pointing to the foundational purpose of Jesus.]
The Veil and Screen. [The Front Door]
31 Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 34 Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand opposite it on the south side.
36 For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen–the work of an embroiderer. 37 Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.”
[There was only one way to enter into relationship with God. – That same is true today. Jesus said clearly to the world, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)]
