Colors in Scripture – Blue, Part 1

[Study Aired November 21, 2025]

If the color red or scarlet symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, blue symbolizes  the last Adam, “the Christ,” coming to be in the heavens.

1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy [signified by the color red]: the second man is the Lord from heaven [signified by the color blue].
1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Our study today will deal with the spiritual significance of the process of spiritually going from scarlet to blue; from red to blue. That journey is a trying and bruising experience signified by the color purple, which is the color found between red and blue in the colors of the Lord’s dwelling place. Purple is the color of bruised flesh, signifying the “much… great tribulation” we are all destined to endure before we will be granted to enter into the Lord’s tabernacle:

Mat 10:21  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

God’s people all “come out of [Babylon]”:

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her [Out of Babylon], my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Being delivered from a ‘scarlet, red’ beast and the great whore, Babylon the Great, who is also “arrayed in… scarlet color” (Rev 17:3-4), all in whom the mind of Christ dwells are provoked to offer up their own bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord (Rom 12:1):

Exo 25:2  Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
Exo 25:3  And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
Exo 25:4  And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
Exo 25:8  And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Exo 25:9  According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

The ”gold and silver and brass and blue and purple and scarlet…” all signify the sacrifice of our entire body and life to the Lord’s service:

Rom 12:1  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.
Rom 12:2  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.

Christ is hated in this world. He is hated and dead in the streets of Babylon. Nevertheless, He has a “sanctuary” where He can dwell in peace in the hearts and minds of His elect, and that is where we go for consolation and comfort in times of trouble:

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Php 2:1  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Php 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

1Th 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

The phrase “blue and purple and scarlet” is found 19 times in scripture. All 19 are in the book of Exodus dealing with the tabernacle and the priesthood which operated within the tabernacle. In this context, the color blue is mentioned as part of eight different facets of the temple and the priesthood.

1) The Tabernacle is Blue, Purple, and Scarlet

Exo 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.

Look at what holds the curtains of the tabernacle together:

Exo 26:4  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.

Blue signifies the things of the spirit, and it is Christ in us which holds us together in His spirit and in His love.

There were ten curtains that surrounded the tabernacle:

Exo 26:2  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.
Exo 26:3  The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and [other] five curtains [shall be] coupled one to another.

These ten curtains signify the fact that Christ is in us dwelling in “earthen vessels”:

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure [“Christ in us”, (Col 1:27)] in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/numbers_ten/

One more curtain was to cover the tabernacle. That totals 11 curtains, which signify the dissolution of the flesh.

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/numbers-in-scripture-11/

2) Blue and Gold are What Connect the Curtains of the Tabernacle

If a cubit is 18 inches (45.27centimeters), then 28 cubits is 42 feet in length (12.8 meters), and four cubits would be six feet in breadth (1.83 meters). Therefore, we have ten curtains 42 feet long and six feet high which surround the tabernacle. These curtains are held together with blue loops connected one to the other with fifty “taches of gold”, fifty gold knobs.

Exo 26:4  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.
Exo 26:5  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.
Exo 26:6  And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.

What is this telling those with eyes to see and ears to hear?

King James Version

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.
1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.

Rotherham’s Emphasized Version

1Co 12:11 But, all these, energiseth the one and the same Spirit, distributing unto each one, peculiarly, even as it is disposed.
1Co 12:12 For, just as, the body, is one, and yet hath many members, but, all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so, also, the Christ;
1Co 12:13 For, even to one Spirit, we all, into one body, have been immersed, – whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, – and, all, of one Spirit, have been caused to drink.
1Co 12:14 For, the body also, is not one member, but many:

3) The Vail Between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was Also Blue, and Purple, and Scarlet.

Exo 26:30  And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.
Exo 26:31  And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
Exo 26:32  And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks [shall be of] gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
Exo 26:33  And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. 

The cherubims woven into the veil between the holy place and the holy of holies were “of blue and purple and scarlet”.

4) The “Door of the Tent” was Blue, and Purple, and Scarlet

The door is to be of “blue and purple and scarlet.” All three colors and the significance of all three colors are part of the process of entering through the veil into the presence of God.

Exo 26:36  And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.

Now just as the spirit does in the book of Revelation, notice how the spirit begins in the holy of holies and “looks behind” to see what it took to get there:

Exo 26:34  And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
Exo 26:35  And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
Exo 26:36  And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.
Exo 26:37  And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, [and] their hooks [shall be of] gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

John had to turn to see what was behind him before he realized that he had been granted to enter into the temple in heaven and to see the things of the spirit:

Rev 1:10 I came to be, in Spirit, in the Lord’s Day, and heard, behind me, a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
Rev 1:11 saying – What thou seest, write in a scroll, and send unto the Seven Assemblies, – unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum,- and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Rev 1:12 And I turned round, to see the Voice which was speaking with me, and, having turned, I saw Seven Lamps of gold;

The fact that the cherbims of blue and purple and scarlet are on both curtains, the curtain of the door to the holy place, and the curtain of the holy of holies signifies that our purple bruising continues as long as we are in these “earthen vessels”.

5) The Vail into the Holy of Holies Hangs on Four Pillars, the Door of the Tent Hangs on Five Pillars. Both are Blue, Purple, and Scarlet.

Exo 26:31  And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
Exo 26:32  And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks [shall be of] gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

Exo 26:36  And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.
Exo 26:37  And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, [and] their hooks [shall be of] gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

The cherubim in the blue and purple and scarlet veil are hanging on four pillars through which all who come into the holy of holies must pass. The cherubim in blue, purple and scarlet also hang on five pillars at the entry of the holy place. What, or rather, who are these pillars and cherubims through which we come to our Creator? It is always best to let the scriptures answer our questions:

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
Rev 3:13  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Yes, the pillars in the temple signify the Lord’s elect “saviors” (Oba 1:21) through whom all men will come to the Lord (1Co 15:22).

Doesn’t Paul tell us that we are the temple of God?

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

How are we the temple and yet pillars in the temple? Here is how that is accomplished:

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

We are in Christ, and Christ is in us. In the same way we are in the temple, and the temple is in us.

Rev 3:13  He that hath [been given, (Mat 13:10-15)] an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches [His temple].

Now let’s ask, “Who are the cherubims?” As always it is best to let the scriptures tell us who these four creatures are. In fact the creatures themselves tell us who they are:

Rev 5:6  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Rev 5:7  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts [The cherubims of Ezekiel one and Ezekiel 10] and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

This is the exact same promise made to the overcomers of the seven churches in Revelation one:

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The four beasts in the middle of and round about the throne of God and the overcomers of the seven churches are both “redeemed to God by the blood of Christ out of every kindred tongue and people and nation” and both are “made kings and priests unto God.” It is obvious that the overcomers of the seven churches, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders, the one hundred and forty and four thousand are all different symbols of those who will sit on thrones judging this world and then judge angels in the lake of fire:

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

6) “The Gate of the Court” of the Temple Has a Curtain of Blue, Purple and Scarlet Hanging on Four Pillars.

All who come into the holy place must first come through the “gate of the court.” This, too, is blue, purple and scarlet.

Exo 27:16  And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.

“Pillars in the temple” are just one more symbol of the Lord’s elect overcomers through whom all men of all time will be redeemed to our Lord:

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

7) The Garments of the Priesthood are Gold, Blue, Purple, and Scarlet

Exo 28:1  And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.
Exo 28:2  And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
Exo 28:3  And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exo 28:4  And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exo 28:5  And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
Exo 28:6  And they shall make the ephod [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, [of] scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
Exo 28:7  It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and [so] it shall be joined together.
Exo 28:8  And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

The Lord’s priests’ clothing had to be of linen because linen does not cause sweat:

Eze 44:18  They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

Why does Ezekiel tell us “they shall not gird themselves with anything that causes sweat?” He tells us that our own spiritual clothing does not cause us to sweat because we are not the ones who are performing the good works in which He has before ordained that we should walk.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of [our] works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Our clothes do not cause sweat because it is God who is performing that which He has ordained for us:

Job 23:13  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
Job 23:14  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

The clothes of the Lord’s elect kings and priests were blue, purple and scarlet clothing “for glory and for beauty.” The only “glory and… beauty” the Lord sees in anyone “is the righteousness of saints.” Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on what is in our hearts.

1Sa 16:6  And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.
1Sa 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

The only “glory and… beauty” which the Lord sees is “the righteousness of saints”, and that righteousness is the righteousness of Christ, which beautifies and glorifies His bride:

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen [“For glory and beauty”, (Exo 28:2)], clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

The righteousness of Christ’s bride is “granted… to her.” A ‘grant’ is a gift :

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of [our] works, lest any man should boast.

8) Gold, Blue, Purple, and Scarlet are Used by Those Who Teach Others

“Cunning workmen…[who] devise curious works… in gold and silver and brass…  blue, and purple, and scarlet… and any manner of cunning work,” are those whom God is using to teach others to help in the building of the temple of God:

Exo 35:29  The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

Pro 21:1  The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Exo 35:30  And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
Exo 35:31  And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32  And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 35:33  And in the cutting of stones, to set [them], and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
Exo 35:34  And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
Exo 35:35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

Gold, silver and precious stones all signify the Lord’s Word and His doctrines which we all twist and abuse and wrap around the idols of our hearts while we serve Babylon:

Eze 16:10  I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
Eze 16:11  I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.
Eze 16:12  And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
Eze 16:13  Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

Eze 16:16  And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so.
Eze 16:17  Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,

These verses demonstrate that gold, silver, and raiment of fine linen signify the Lord’s Words and His doctrines. The fine linen signifies the righteousness of Christ imputed to His saints.

That being the case, Bezeleel’s many gifts and his ability to teach others signify what the Lord is doing through His beautiful, glorious bride whom He has filled with His spirit for the purpose of  teaching others:

Exo 35:31  And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32  And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 35:33  And in the cutting of stones, to set [them], and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

Those they teach and the materials with which they work are both the result of God’s work in the heart’s of His people to build up His house. It is all just another way of showing all of us the unveiling of Jesus Christ which is “the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Co 14:4  He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

How does he edify the church? He does so by working with “gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet” among other things which are used to build up and edify the temple of God by those who God has “filled with wisdom of heart to work all manner of work…”

Conclusion of the Significance of Blue and Purple and Scarlet

Blue and purple and scarlet signify those in whom God’s Spirit is working the process of going from scarlet to blue, from the first to the last Adam:

Exo 36:8  And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam [red – earthy – of the ground] was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit [blue – heavenly – of the spirit].

Purple is just the combining of the blue and the scarlet. Purple signifies the bruising that is experienced in going from scarlet to blue.

[Here is the link to the next study in this series.]

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Exodus 36:1-38  The People Brought Much More than Enough for the Service of the Work

[Study Aired February 6, 2023]

Exo 36:1  Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
Exo 36:2  And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: 
Exo 36:3  And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. 
Exo 36:4  And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; 
Exo 36:5  And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make. 
Exo 36:6  And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. 
Exo 36:7  For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. 
Exo 36:8  And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them. 
Exo 36:9  The length of one curtain was twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains were all of one size. 
Exo 36:10  And he coupled the five curtains one unto another: and the other five curtains he coupled one unto another.
Exo 36:11  And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.
Exo 36:12  Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which was in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another.
Exo 36:13  And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.
Exo 36:14  And he made curtains of goats’ hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them. 
Exo 36:15  The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains were of one size. 
Exo 36:16  And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 
Exo 36:17  And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.
Exo 36:18  And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.
Exo 36:19  And he made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers’ skins above that.
Exo 36:20  And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up. 
Exo 36:21  The length of a board was ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half. 
Exo 36:22  One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle. 
Exo 36:23  And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward: 
Exo 36:24  And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. 
Exo 36:25  And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards, 
Exo 36:26  And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
Exo 36:27  And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 
Exo 36:28  And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. 
Exo 36:29  And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners. 
Exo 36:30  And there were eight boards; and their sockets were sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets. 
Exo 36:31  And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 
Exo 36:32  And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward. 
Exo 36:33  And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other. 
Exo 36:34  And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold. 
Exo 36:35  And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work. 
Exo 36:36  And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver. 
Exo 36:37  And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework; 
Exo 36:38  And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass. 

The chapter basically deals with the freewill offering brought to Moses and how the tabernacle was constructed. The tabernacle individually refers to our bodies as the temple of the Lord. Collectively, the tabernacle refers to the  church of the first born or the New Jerusalem. This study will therefore give us insight into how the church of the firstborn is built by the Lord through us.

1Co 3:16  Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 

1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house (the church of the firstborn), an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Exo 36:1  Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
Exo 36:2  And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:

Bezaleel and Aholiab, together with all that were wise-hearted were given wisdom and understanding to know how to do the work of building the tabernacle.  Aholiab means ‘tent of his father’. Our bodies are the earthly tent of our Father, Jesus. Aholiab, therefore, represents the body of Christ or the Lord’s elect as we are given to work with the Lord, who is represented here as Bezaleel in the building of the New Jerusalem for our Lord to dwell. The wise-hearted are also the elect.

2Co 5:1  Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. (CEV)

We are therefore co-workers with the Lord as we work together as a unit to achieve what God desires. That is, by building the church of God which is the Lord’s body.

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 

Exo 36:3  And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. 
Exo 36:4  And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; 
Exo 36:5  And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.

Moses here represents the Lord who has given us, the elect, (the wise-hearted) more than enough spiritual blessings to carry out the work of building the temple of the Lord within each one of us and collectively, to build the New Jerusalem or the church of the firstborn. These spiritual blessings, signified here by the offering, include the physical blessings we need for our living.

Eph 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 
Eph 4:9  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 
Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 
Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

In verse 5, we are told that the people brought more than enough for the service of the work. This means that the Lord has given us more than we need for the building of the temple of the Lord within each one of us. It is the abundance of the spiritual blessing the Lord has bestowed on us which ensures that we are not barren but fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 
2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 
2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 
2Pe 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 
2Pe 1:8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
2Pe 1:9  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

One thing we have to learn is that the Lord’s spiritual blessings upon us come in abundance. Our Lord does not give us His blessings sparingly. This is all to give us a foretaste of what will happen in the fullness of time. We shall be overwhelmed by the joy that is set before us as shown by Judah’s inheritance.

Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Jos 19:9  Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.

Exo 36:6  And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
Exo 36:7  For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. 

Moses’ command for the people of Israel not to give any more offering for the sanctuary is to let us know that when the Lord comes to us with His spiritual blessings, we cease from our own strivings. In other words, we come to rest in the Lord of all sufficiency. Indeed, our Lord’s grace is more than sufficient for us to worry ourselves with our own works!!

2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
2Co 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 

Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Exo 36:8  And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.

The tabernacle is made of ten curtains of fine twined linen with the colors of blue, purple and scarlet. The curtains in the scriptures are synonymous with tents. In other words, tents and curtains are the same. The following verses affirm this point:

Hab 3:7  I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

Isa 40:22  It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers;  that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Isa 54:2  Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

The tent, in turn, represents our bodies as follows:

2Co 5:1  For we know that if the tent, our earthly home, is torn down, we have a building from God—a home not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens. (TLV)

The fact that the curtains must be ten confirms the fact that we are talking about our earthly tent, which is our bodies. As we know, the number ten symbolizes corruptible dying flesh throughout scripture and therefore refers to our earthly bodies, which we are to offer as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

Rom 12:1  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. 
Rom 12:2  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.

The curtains must be of fine linen and colored blue, purple and scarlet. The curtains also represent the elect, who are the Cherubims. The color red or scarlet symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, while the color blue symbolizes the last Adam – Jesus Christ coming to be in our heavens. The curtain of fine linen colored purple and scarlet represents us while we are in Babylon where our adamic nature became obvious while living under the law as shown in the following verses:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 

What this means is that a prerequisite of becoming a habitation for the Lord to dwell is the recognition of our spiritual poverty (purple and scarlet linen) before we are turned into blue linen.

Exo 36:9  The length of one curtain was twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains were all of one size. 

The measurement of each of the curtains is the same and therefore refers to Christ, who is our standard of measurement. This means that every one of the curtains having the same measure means that to become a habitation for our Lord to dwell, we must all measure up to the standard of Christ. We are therefore constantly being measured and judged to conform to the standards of Christ. All those who are not measured are not part of those who are made a habitation for the Lord to dwell. They belong to the Gentiles!!

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Exo 36:10  And he coupled the five curtains one unto another: and the other five curtains he coupled one unto another. 

The dividing of the ten curtains into two groups of five is very significant. This is very symbolic in the sense that it is faith through the grace of God (the meaning of the number five) that we become a habitation for the Lord. That is when we become witnesses of Christ (the meaning of the dividing of the curtains into two groups).

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 
Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The five curtains being coupled together means that, as His elect, we must have the same mind and the same judgment. Being coupled together is the work of the Lord. It is from Him that the whole body (the elect) is fitly joined together and compacted by what every joint supplies. So, the curtains being coupled together is to facilitate the supply of our spiritual food by every joint.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Exo 36:11  And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. 
Exo 36:12  Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which was in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another.
Exo 36:13  And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle. 

The two sets of curtains are connected together with fifty blue loops as well as fifty gold clasps. What connects us together as the Lord’s elect is the spirit of the Lord.

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.

Exo 36:14  And he made curtains of goats’ hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them. 
Exo 36:15  The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains were of one size. 
Exo 36:16  And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 

The goats’ hair was used as a weather resistant external covering of the tabernacle. The dimensions of the goats’ hair show that they were longer than the first curtains, thus providing total protection of the inner curtains and items inside the tabernacle. What is insightful is the source of the goats’ hair cover. The curtains of goats’ hair were obtained by the killing of live goats and the subsequent removal of their skins. The curtains of goats’ hair therefore represent our Lord Jesus Christ who was the goat slaughtered on our behalf. It is also significant to note that the number of goats’ hair curtains needed was eleven. The number eleven symbolizes the ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh. It is through the ruin and disintegration of the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are found in Him, as we represent the inner curtains, and He signifies the outer goat hair cover. As He is, so are we. We, too, are being slaughtered daily to complete the Lord’s preparation of our hearts and mind to become His habitation.

Lev 16:7  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lev 16:8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 
Lev 16:9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 
Lev 16:10  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. 

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

The fact that the eleven curtains must be of one measure is another way of saying that as He is, so are we. In other words, we must also be “killed” before we can become useful for the habitation of God.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

The coupling of the five curtains by themselves means that it is faith through the grace of God (the meaning of the number five) that we become a habitation for the Lord. The number six signifies mankind. Thus, the other six curtains are to affirm to us that the dwelling place of the Lord is with man.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Exo 36:17  And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.
Exo 36:18  And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.

The two sets of curtains are connected together with fifty blue loops as well as fifty gold clasps. What connects us together as the Lord’s elect is the spirit of the Lord.

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 
1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.

This spirit of the Lord is the same as His words. Through His words, we become of one mind and that is what connects us together.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Exo 36:19  And he made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers’ skins above that.

A ram also represents Christ. The use of the rams’ skin as a covering is to let us know that it is through the death of Christ (the killing of the ram) that we are found in Him (covering us). The fact that the rams’ skins must be dyed red is to point to the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ was made like us – earthy (red).  In a similar vein, the Badger (probably antelope) also represents Christ, and it is through His death that are found in Him.

Lev 16:5  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.
Lev 16:6  And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

Exo 36:20  And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up. 
Exo 36:21  The length of a board was ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half. 
Exo 36:22  One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle. 
Exo 36:23  And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward: 

The tabernacle was constructed with boards made of acacia wood. Apart from the fact that acacia wood grows wild in the desert, it is considered incorruptible. It is very dense and resistant both to disease and insects, just like cedar. Each of the boards is required to stand upright, not laying down and must have two tenons. A tenon is an end of a piece of wood that is cut into a special shape to fit into a hole on another piece of wood to make a strong joint. Twenty boards were to be fixed in the southern part of the tabernacle. The boards of shittim wood represent the elect whom the Lord is using to build His temple. The fact that the boards must stand upright is to remind us of our standing in the presence of the Lord.

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

We are the two candlesticks and the two olive trees that are standing before the presence of the Lord, just as the boards are standing before the Lord. Each of the boards must have two tenons or supports. As indicated, a tenon must be shaped to fit into another wood to make a strong joint. As boards, we are being shaped to fit the standard of Christ. This is being done through the judgment of our old man in this life. The result of the judgment process we are going through is to form a strong joint with Christ for the building of His temple.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

In verse 23, twenty boards were to be used for the southern side of the tabernacle. The number twenty, on a positive note, refers to those who are mature enough to wage war. This means that the twenty boards on the southern side signify those whom the Lord is using to build His temple are those who are mature enough to wage war with the flesh to overcome it.

Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Exo 36:24  And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.
Exo 36:25  And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards, 
Exo 36:26  And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
Exo 36:27  And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 

As indicated, each of the boards must be supported by two tenons. A tenon must be shaped to fit into another wood, which in this case is the socket to hold the boards firm. Since there were twenty boards for the southern side, there must be forty sockets which were made of silver. The northern side also had twenty boards which were also supported by forty sockets of silver. The forty sockets on each side of the tabernacle – the south and the north sides show us that our trials (the significance of the number forty) form an integral part of becoming part of the temple the Lord is building.

Psa 95:9  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
Psa 95:10  Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 
Psa 95:11  Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

On the west side, there were sixteen sockets supporting eight boards. Thus, in total, there were 100 sockets for the boards. Apart from supporting the boards, it is the sockets on which stood the pillars that support the veil.  These sockets therefore represent the foundation of the tabernacle. What this means is that the hundred sockets of silver symbolize the atonement and the redemptive work of Christ on our behalf. The strength of the whole structure depended on this foundation, which rested on the silver of atonement. Fellowship with God can only be based on redemption.

1Ki 20:39  And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

Jesus Christ therefore has laid the foundation for our temple to be built.

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Silver also signifies the doctrine of Christ as shown in the following verse:

Eze 16:17  Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them, 

Joe 3:5  Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:

As we are aware, Christ is the word of God. This means that the materials that we need for the foundation of the Lord’s temple within us are Christ’s work of atonement and redemption and His words.

Exo 36:28  And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. 
Exo 36:29  And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners. 
Exo 36:30  And there were eight boards; and their sockets were sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets. 

At the two corners at the rear, the setup was different. Two boards were made for each corner, thus a total of four boards. The corner boards, however, were to be coupled together by a ring at the top and at the bottom. The two corner boards, plus six boards, totaling eight boards were to be at the west end. The Bible does not describe in detail how the corner boards were made. The joining of the boards at the corner provided the needed stability to the rear of the tabernacle. It is through our coming together as one that we become witnesses of Christ (the meaning of the number two) and therefore become established in Christ. What brings us together is the spirit of the Lord, which in this case refers to the ring at the top and the bottom used to couple the corner boards together.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Act 5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

The coupling of the two boards at each corner results in eight boards being at the rear of the tabernacle. As we are aware, the number eight signifies a new beginning. In the process of becoming a habitation of the Lord, we are turned into new creatures before God – the old things are gone!!

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Exo 36:31  And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 
Exo 36:32  And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward. 
Exo 36:33  And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other. 
Exo 36:34  And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

Along with the boards and the sockets, bars were made. They were needed to reinforce the frame of the tabernacle walls. The Israelites were to make bars of acacia wood. The bars mentioned here, were probably crossbars that supported the sides of the tabernacle. As we have indicated in previous studies, the bars being made of acacia, which were found growing wild in the Sinai desert and the Jordan River valley, means that they were not planted and taken care of by man. In other words, it is not the work of man. If we are to become a habitation for the Lord, then we need to know that from the beginning until our maturity it is all the work of God – not man. Even our sins are all part of the work of God. All we do to become like Christ is to believe in Him.

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 
Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

There were to be fifteen bars in all. Ten bars were to be used for the boards on each side – five on the north side and five on the south side. Another five bars were to be used on the back (west) side of the tabernacle. The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end. This might mean that the middle bar was longer than the rest. It apparently passed through a hole drilled in the boards, whereas the other bars passed through rings.

Overlaying the bars with gold means that to become like Christ, we must be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. That is what will qualify us to be crowned with gold just as our Lord Jesus Christ overcame.

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Exo 36:35  And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.
Exo 36:36  And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver. 
Exo 36:37  And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework; 
Exo 36:38  And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass.

The word “veil” in Hebrew means “to separate.” The veil was at the gate of the entrance into the tabernacle just before the bronze altar. We are the veil. This means that it is through us that all the people of the world, including Babylon, will have access to the Lord.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

The veil acted as a barrier between the Lord and the world. The fact that Cherubims must be woven on the veil was to remind us that, just as the Cherubims served as a barrier to Adam and Eve from accessing the tree of life, which is Christ, we, as the veil, are playing the same role as the Cherubims in preserving the things of God from the world in this age.

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

The veil must be of fine linen and colored blue, purple and scarlet. This means that we are those who are being changed from our Adamic nature to that of Christ.

The four pillars upon which the veil must be hung represent the whole of the elect in every generation. The fact that the pillars were made of shittim wood and were overlaid with gold means that to become the dwelling place of God is the Lord’s work as He takes us through fiery trials to learn righteousness.

Gal 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

May the Lord help us to become lively stones for the building of the Lord’s spiritual house!! Amen!!

Exo 26:1-18  Instructions About the Construction of the Tabernacle

[Study Aired October 24, 2022]

Exo 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. 
Exo 26:2  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. 
Exo 26:3  The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.
Exo 26:4  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. 
Exo 26:5  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. 
Exo 26:6  And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle. 
Exo 26:7  And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. 
Exo 26:8  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. 
Exo 26:9  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. 
Exo 26:10  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 coupleth the second. 
Exo 26:11  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. 
Exo 26:12  And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. 
Exo 26:13  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. 
Exo 26:14  And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins. 
Exo 26:15  And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. 
Exo 26:16  Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. 
Exo 26:17  Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle. 
Exo 26:18  And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. 

Introduction – What does the Tabernacle Signify?

Today’s study is about instructions given to Moses regarding the building of the tabernacle. A Tabernacle means a dwelling place. The Lord gave the Israelites the tabernacle as a visual picture of His dwelling with them. The tabernacle—and later the temple that replaced it—was a temporary place for God’s glory to dwell until the coming of Christ.

Psa 76:2  In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. 

Psa 61:4  I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. 

Every part of the tabernacle was designed to illustrate the Lord’s relationship with His people. The instruction therefore given to Moses was to build a portal temple to serve as the dwelling place of the Lord. However, we know that our Lord does not dwell in temples made with hands.

Act 7:46  Who (David) found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 
Act 7:47  But Solomon built him an house. 
Act 7:48  Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 
Act 7:49  Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 
Act 7:50  Hath not my hand made all these things?

The tabernacle, therefore, was a prototype of the Lord’s dwelling place which is in man. 

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Exo 29:45  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 
Exo 29:46  And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

So, we can see that the dwelling place of the Lord is within us. Therefore, we are the tabernacle that the Lord instructed Moses to build. What this signifies is that today’s study, which deals with instruction for the construction of the tabernacle, shows us how we can become a habitation for the Lord to dwell. In other words, the Lord is preparing our hearts and mind to become the seat of His throne within us.

1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Exo 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. 

The tabernacle is made of ten curtains of fine twined linen with the colors of blue, purple and scarlet. The curtains in the scriptures are synonymous with tents. In other words, tents and curtains are the same. The following verses affirm this point:

Hab 3:7  I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. 

Isa 40:22  It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: 

Isa 54:2  Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 

The tent, in turn, represents our bodies as follows:

2Co 5:1  For we know that if the tent, our earthly home, is torn down, we have a building from God—a home not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens. 
2Co 5:2  For in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— 
2Co 5:3  if indeed, after we have put it on, we will not be found naked. 
2Co 5:4  For we groan while we are in this tent—burdened because we don’t want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (TLV)

The fact that the curtains must be ten in number confirms the fact that we are talking about our earthly tent which is our bodies. As we know, the number ten symbolizes corruptible, dying flesh throughout scripture and therefore refers to our earthly bodies, which we are to offer as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

Rom 12:1  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. 
Rom 12:2  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.

The curtains must be of fine linen and colored blue, purple and scarlet. The color red or scarlet, symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, while the color blue symbolizes the last Adam – Jesus Christ coming to be in our heavens. The curtain of fine linen colored purple and scarlet represents us while we are in Babylon where our adamic nature became obvious while living under the law as shown in the following verses:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 

What this means is that a prerequisite of becoming a habitation for the Lord to dwell in is the recognition of our spiritual poverty (purple and scarlet linen) before we are turned into blue linen. The whole essence of the Lord’s encounter with the rich young ruler is to emphasize the point that it is through the recognition of our spiritual poverty that we can enter into the kingdom of God (become a habitation for the Lord to dwell in). 

Mat 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 
Mat 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 
Mat 19:19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 
Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 
Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 
Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 

The rich young ruler turning away because of his great possessions is another way of saying the following:

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The fact that the curtains must be interwoven with Cherubim is to make us aware that in this age, it is only the Cherubim who are being prepared as a habitation for the Lord to dwell in. As we have indicated in a recent study, the Cherubim are living creatures, and it is in the midst of these Cherubim that the Lord dwells and speaks to His people. Therefore they represent the elect. This means that in this age, it is only the elect that the Lord is preparing to become His habitation. 

Eze 10:20  This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.

1Sa 4:4  So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

2Sa 6:2  And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

Exo 26:2  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. 

The one measure of each of the curtains refers to Christ. This means that every one of the curtains having one measure means that to become a habitation for our Lord to dwell, we must all measure up to the standard of Christ. We are therefore constantly being measured and judged to conform to the standards of Christ. All those who are not measured are not part of those who are made a habitation for the Lord to dwell. They belong to the Gentiles!!  

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 
Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Exo 26:3  The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. 

The dividing of the ten curtains into two groups of five is very significant. This is very symbolic in the sense that it is faith through the grace of God (the meaning of the number five) that we become a habitation for the Lord. That is when we become witnesses of Christ (the meaning of the dividing of the curtains into two groups). 

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 
Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The five curtains being coupled together means that, as His elect, we must have the same mind and the same judgment. Being coupled together is the work of the Lord. It is from Him that the whole body (the elect) are fitly joined together and compacted by what every joint supplies. So, the curtains being coupled together is to facilitate the supply of our spiritual food by every joint.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Exo 26:4  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. 
Exo 26:5  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. 
Exo 26:6  And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle. 

The two sets of curtains are connected together with fifty blue loops as well as fifty gold taches. What connects us together as the Lord’s elect is the spirit of the Lord. 

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 
1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.

Exo 26:7  And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. 
Exo 26:8  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. 

The goats’ hair was used as a weather resistant external covering of the tabernacle. The dimensions of the goats’ hair show that they were longer than the first curtains, thus providing total protection of the inner curtains and items inside the tabernacle. What is insightful is the source of the goats’ hair cover. The curtains of goats’ hair were obtained by the killing of live goats and the subsequent removal of their skins. The curtains of goats’ hair represent our Lord Jesus Christ who was the goat slaughtered on our behalf. It is also significant to note that the number of goats’ hair curtains needed was eleven. The number eleven symbolizes the ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh. It is through the ruin and disintegration of the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are found in Him as we represent the inner curtains, and He signifies the outer goat hair cover. As He is, so are we. We, too, are being slaughtered daily to complete the Lord’s preparation of our hearts and mind to become His habitation.

Lev 16:7  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Lev 16:8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 
Lev 16:9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 
Lev 16:10  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. 

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

The fact that the eleven curtains must be of one measure is another way of saying that as He is, so are we. In other words, we must also be “killed” before we can become useful for the habitation of God. The number eleven and the brass used means God is dealing with human vessels.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Exo 26:9  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. 

The coupling of the five curtains by themselves means that it is faith through the grace of God (the meaning of the number five) that we become a habitation for the Lord. The number six signifies mankind. Thus, the other six curtains are to affirm to us that the dwelling place of the Lord is with man. 

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

The forefront of the tabernacle is where the door to the inside of the tabernacle is. The eleventh of the goats’ hair curtain which covers the forefront of the tabernacle must be doubled. This means that it is through our witness that many are granted access into the temple of God. Our witness of Christ’s suffering which necessitates that we fill up that which is lacking in His afflictions is what gives His people access to worship in His temple. 

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. 

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

Exo 26:10  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 coupleth the second.
Exo 26:11  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.

The two sets of curtains are connected together with fifty loops as well as fifty brass clasps. What connects us together as the Lord’s elect is the spirit of the Lord. 

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 
1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.

This spirit of the Lord is the same as His words. Through His words, we become of one mind, and that is what connects us together.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Exo 26:12  And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. 

The part that remains of the curtains of the tent, that is, the half curtain of the goats’ hair that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. The backside of the tabernacle represents the law. What this means is that those who practice the law are not given to pass through the gate of the temple at the forefront where the goats’ hair curtains are doubled. The goats’ hair is a symbol of the dying of the Lord for our sake and the dying of the elect to complete the Lord’s affliction. Not passing through the front gate means that they do not experience the daily dying of our old man. They are, therefore, just like their father, the devil, who climbs up some other way (backside) to the temple. 

Joh 10:1  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 
Joh 10:2  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 

Exo 26:13  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. 
Exo 26:14  And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins. 

The extra cubit that remains in the length of the curtains was to be left to hang on the two sides of the tabernacle for the purpose of covering it. The covering of the tabernacle by the extra length of the goats’ hair curtain hides the dwelling place of the Lord from the public. It is therefore another way of saying that we, His elect, representing the fine linen garment which are covered by these goats’ hair curtains, have a treasure (the dwelling place of God) in our earthen vessels. 

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

A ram also represents Christ. The use of the ram’s skin as a covering is to let us know that it is through the death of Christ (the killing of the ram) that we are found in Him (covering us). The fact that the rams’ skins must be dyed red is to point to the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ was made like us – earthy (red).  

Lev 16:5  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. 
Lev 16:6  And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house. 

Exo 26:15  And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. 
Exo 26:16  Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. 
Exo 26:17  Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle. 
Exo 26:18  And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.

The tabernacle was constructed with boards made of acacia wood. Apart from the fact that acacia wood grows wild in the desert, it is considered incorruptible. It is very dense and resistant both to disease and insects, just like cedar. Each of the boards is required to stand upright, not laying down and must have two tenons. A tenon is an end of a piece of wood that is cut into a special shape to fit into a hole on another piece of wood to make a strong joint. Twenty boards were to be fixed in the southern part of the tabernacle. The Boards of shittim wood represent the elect whom the Lord is using to build His temple. The fact that the boards must stand upright is to remind us of standing in the presence of the Lord.

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 

We are the two candlesticks and the two olive trees that are standing before the presence of the Lord just as the boards are standing before the Lord. Each of the boards must have two tenons or support. As indicated, a tenon must be shaped to fit into another wood to make a strong joint. As boards, we are being shaped to fit the standard of Christ. This is being done through the judgment of our old man in this life. The result of the judgment process that we are going through is to form a strong joint with Christ for the building of His temple.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

In verse 18, twenty boards were to be used for the southern side of the tabernacle. The number twenty on a positive note refers to those who are mature enough to wage war. This means that the twenty boards on the southern side signify the fact that those whom the Lord is using to build His temple are those who are mature enough to wage war with the flesh to overcome it. 

Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

May the Lord have mercy on us to count us worthy of His habitation in this life. Amen!!