Thoughts on the readings for February 15th (Exodus 26, Psalms 79, 80, Mark 11)

Exodus 25 tells us of the Tabernacle itself. Verses 1-14 describe the curtains which served as the roof of the Tabernacle. Eleven curtains made of linen and embroidered with golden, blue and scarlet threads woven through the linen in a cherubic pattern. These would have been visible to the priests, who served in the Holy Place; and to the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, the one day each year when he entered the Most Holy Place. Three other layers covered the linen – a layer of goats hair dyed scarlet; a layer of rams’ skins; and finally, on top of these a waterproof layer of what has been translated as, badgers’ skins in the KJV; and was probably dugong skins. As well as forming the roof they covered the boards of acacia wood (themselves covered with beaten gold plates); at the sides and back end of the building, where the Most Holy Place was situated. The dugong covering would be seen by the priests in the courtyard and by the worshippers, who had brought their offerings. Verses 15-30 describe the acacia boards that formed the building. Like the covering curtains these were on both sides and at the rear of the structure. They were fastened to each other by bars which passed through coupling rings providing a unity for the frame and giving it rigidity and stability. It speaks of the role of the ecclesia, whereby believers support one another and are united in their goals. They were anchored in the ground by silver sockets – speaking of our hope is fixed and grounded by the redemptive work achieved in our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 31-33 describe the veil, which separated the Most Holy Place from the zHoly Place. Again the veil, – which was linen and interwoven with threads of blue, purple, scarlet and gold – spoke of the work of Christ, in whom we can draw near to God. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that it spoke of the nature of Jesus, through which the divine characteristics inherited from his Father were woven (see Hebrews 9 verses 19-23). At the precise time Jesus died on the stake the veil in Herod’s temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27 verse 51). This tearing of the temple curtain spoke of the removal of the sacrificial code of the Mosaic Law; and the bringing in of a better hope for faithful believers. Verses 34-35 provides a brief overview of some of the items of furniture within the Holy and Most Holy Places. The last verses of this chapter tells us of the entrance curtains through which the Tabernacle was entered. It was a linen screen of embroidered needlework with several similarities to the inner veil. It spoke of Christ, who is the door, or way of approaching the Father (John 10:1-6; 14:6).