“Nothing was wanting … for the ministry of the tabernacle, and for the roof of the covenant.” (Ex 39:40, DRB)
The tabernacle was situated in a field, a construction of one hundred cubits in length and fifty cubits in breadth. The construction consisted of sixty poles (most probably of acacia wood) – 20 each on the north and south sides, and 10 poles each on the east and west sides. From them were hung a curtain of thin-thread linen which formed a rectangle and demarcated the space from the desert outside. To the east side of the tabernacle there was an opening or gateway woven in the same colours as the shroud, pointing to what was to come!
A section of the tabernacle was not paved and thus in direct contact with the desert sand (in sharp contrast to the temple of Solomon – see 1 Kings 6:30). Around the tabernacle were the tents of the Levites, and in circles around those the tents of the twelve tribes were grouped, three to each side, in a clear architectural formation of enormous expanse, delineated in specific strategic order. In the desert this tabernacle would form the heart of the Israelites, “as a root out of dry ground” (Isa 53:2).
The white tabernacle would present a clear contrast to the black mohair tents (Song of Songs 1:5) enclosing it, an extension of the otherness of the Kingdom of God when contrasted with the world we inhabit. Rev 19:8 explains that the white linen speaks of righteousness, that which is “white as snow” (Isa 1:18). It is not strange that the tunic and hair of the Ancient of Days, Christ, can be described in similar terms – Dan 7:9, Rev 1:14! One understands that David, in Ps 84:2 can exclaim, “My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” David speaks of the desire to be taken up into Christ’s being. Inside Him, the tabernacle (Heb 9:11; Rev 21:3), you are transformed into being white (Gen 49:12; Ps 51:7) becoming, literally, set-apart, holy. The imagery speaks for itself. Outside of Christ no hope for purity exists. “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3).
In Song of Songs 3:6-8 the sixty pillars are personified as an army (Joel 2:7) of sixty valiant men protecting a “couch” (a type of elaborately decorated portable bed) on which Solomon is seated, representing the King. A pillar synonymous with power and strength, as stated in Jer 1:18 and 1 Kings 7:21. The tabernacle is thus the bed of God, His resting place (Num 10:33 & 35), inside which his delivered ones may come to rest (Matt 11:29)! Thus the presence of God “dwelleth within the curtains” (2 Sam 7:2).
Nothing was wanting … He was, and still is today, more than enough. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It is HIM alone, and no human being, which is the covering, “the roof of the covenant”.
- Sela: The image of the army, from Joel 2, bears much wider implications. Ponder them.
- Read: 2 Sam 1; Prov 4; Gal 4
- Memorise: Gal 4: 6-7
- For a deeper understanding: Read Chapter 1 of Kelly Varner’s The more excellent ministry.
