Exodus 26:1-37
Q.1. How were the inner curtains for the Tabernacle to be made? Were the outer curtains the same? Of what was the structure made? How was it to be erected? – (Exo.26:1-30)
The inner curtains of the tabernacle consisted of – ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skilful workman (Exo.26:1). The size and number of curtains with their loops and clasps were given (Exo.26:2-6). The same was true of the outer curtains which were made of goat’s hair (Exo.26:7-14). The structure of the Tabernacle was made of acacia wood, with sockets of silver, and overlaid with gold (Exo.26:15-29). God told Moses – you shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain (Exo.26:30). The reason for this is explained in the Hebrews chapters 8-9 where the writer revealed that the earthly tent was a replica of the heavenly, one albeit on a much lesser scale. God’s perfect sacrificial Lamb would take His own blood offering for the sins of the world into the holy presence of God, the Father (Heb.9:11-12, 23-24).
Q.2. What was in the Holy of Holies? Why was it overlaid with gold? What was the purpose of the veil? What was in the holy place? What was the Tabernacle like? – (Exo.26:31-37)
There was a heavy curtain dividing the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. It was made of beautiful blue, purple, and scarlet material embossed with cherubim. It hung on pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold with silver sockets (Exo.26:31-32). The place in which God would dwell would be marked with grandeur and the most precious metals that reflected the glory of the God of Israel. In the Holy of Holies, you – shall bring in the ark of the testimony there within the veil; and the veil shall serve for you as a partition between the holy place and the holy of holies. 34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the holy of holies (Exo.26:33-34). The priest could daily perform his duties in the Holy Place each day but could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year. This place housed the Ark of the Covenant and on top was the Mercy Seat with the two Cherubim. God dwelt amongst His people there. No one could enter but the High Priest and not without blood (Exo.25:22). In the holy place – You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south … (Exo.26:34). Everything was excellently crafted by a skilful craftsman to fit together perfectly to reassemble the tabernacle after journeying.