We are continuing our study on the Tabernacle of Moses in the book of Exodus. The Tabernacle was a structure built by the children of Israel under the direct supervision of Moses. The layout of the Tabernacle, its general construction, supplies and materials were specified in the greatest detail to Moses by the Lord at Mount Sinai during the time of the Exodus. So what exactly is a Tabernacle? A "Tabernacle" according to the Hebrew language simply denotes "a tent", or more appropriately "a place of residence."
We know for a fact that God desires a relationship with His people then and even today God desires a relationship.
JOHN 1:14
“14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” - NIV
When you look at the Tabernacle of Moses it is a representation of what was to come in the events of the New Testament. Namely Jesus Christ and what He did on Calvary. Last week we looked at the fence that surrounded the Tabernacle. We learned that this fence is in fact a barrier blocking the things of this world, things that are not Holy, from entering into the presence of God. This fence relates to us today. Only today this fence or “barrier” is not made of material, but is comprised of the sins that we commit. Our sin separates us from God. Our sin causes our relationship with God to die. This is why God created a way then and now for our sins to be atoned so we can get into His presence.
The Gate
When looking at the Tabernacle from an aerial view, we can see clearly that there is only one entrance into the outer courts and only one entrance into the Holy of Holies. There weren’t many doors to get into the presence of God. Only one.
EXODUS 27:16-19
“16For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits [f] long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer—with four posts and four bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands and hooks, and bronze bases. 18 The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, [g] with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits [h] high, and with bronze bases. 19 All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those for the courtyard, are to be of bronze.” -NIV
As I have said before all the material that was used was given as an offering from the people and the type of material had a specific meaning behind it. The “Gate” was no different. It is comprised of the following:
• 30 foot opening
• Blue
• Purple
• Scarlet
• Finely Twisted Linen
• Four Posts with Silver bands and hooks
• Bronze bases
So what does each of these things mean?
Blue Yarn
As we just read in Exodus 27 the curtain that was to be made into a “gate” into the outer courts of the Tabernacle was to be made out of different colors one being blue. But why the color blue? What does blue signify? What is its meaning?
The color blue is used quite extensively in the Old Testament to describe the various things in the holy places. One being the garments the priests was to wear while in the Tabernacle. The clothing for the priests were to be made in a specific way. Which is God’s way.
EXODUS 28:2
“And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and beauty.” - NKJ
Holy covering
We can see that the color blue signifies a holy covering. Aarons ephod was to be made entirely of blue and because it is a part of his clothing it is holy because God just said “make holy garments”.
EXODUS 28:31-32
“31 Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. The opening will be reinforced by a woven collar* so it will not tear.” – NLT
This is a reminder that to us today that the gate to get into the presence of God is a holy gate. It is exclusive and set apart for the use of God. Only holy things are allowed to go into the presence of God. Why? Because the God we serve is a holy God. Holy means set apart for the exclusive use by God. It is a separation of things of this world and the presence of God. It is to be sacred. Before the priests were able to get into the Holy of Holies they were to have clothing that covered them that were set apart for the use of God only. They did not go into God’s presence with their own tattered clothing. They had specific clothing that was set apart for God’s use. Even the coverings for the pieces of furniture for the Tabernacle were blue.
NUMBERS 4:4-6
“4 This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things: 5 When the camp prepares to journey, Aaron and his sons shall come, and they shall take down the covering veil and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. 6 Then they shall put on it a covering of badger skins, and spread over that a cloth entirely of blue; and they shall insert its poles.” – NKJ
Discussion
When they had to take down the Tabernacle to get ready to depart from their position in the wilderness I noticed something while they were packing. They packed some things one way and others another. Read Exodus 4:4-20 and see if you find it.
Purple Yarn
Another color that was to be incorporated into this “Gate” is the color purple. The dye was extracted from a particularly scarce family of shellfish which made it quite valuable. Purple became a symbol of royalty and riches due to the scarcity of its dye.
We read in Judges chapter 8 where Gideon was after two kings Zebah and Zalmunna of Midian. When Gideon had killed the two kings he had taken of their treasure.
JUDGES 8:26 (ROYALTY)
“26 Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks.” – NKJ
LUKE 16:19 (RICHES)
“19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.” - NLT
Only those who had the money were able to get this rare color of yarn or linen. It just gives us another example of how the Children of Israel gave of themselves in order to have a relationship with God. In order to be in the presence of God. At this point they didn’t care about worldly possessions. It didn’t matter what it cost to be close to God they were willing to make that sacrifice.
Scarlet Yarn
This scarlet yarn has a couple of different meanings that we are going to look at then I am going to piece the entire gate together. The color of scarlet represents 2 things: sin and purification.
ISAIAH 1:18
“18 Come now; let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” - NKJ
We see here in the book of Isaiah that sin is described by the color scarlet as well as the color crimson. Sin is a separation from God…just as this Gate separated the Children of Israel from the Holy of Holies where God dwelt. This is a visual representation that sin separates us from God.
Not only does it represent sin but also purification.
HEBREWS 9:18-22
“18 That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. 19 For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats,[i] along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. 20 Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.”[j] 21 And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. 22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” - NIV
This scarlet represented the blood that would atone for the sins of the people. Make amends for or purify the sins of the people so they can have a relationship with God. Remember there is no darkness in God, no sin is allowed in the presence of God. You cannot get into the presence of God until your sins have been atoned or purified. You have to be Holy as He is Holy.
One Gate
The only way you can do all this is by going through the gate. What the Children of Israel didn’t know that we now know is the “Gate” was none other than a representation Jesus Christ himself. In fact the whole tabernacle is a representation of God’s redemptive plan.
In order to be Holy we have to have a Holy covering (blue yarn). Jesus is that covering. How do we know? Jesus is God.
LEVITICUS 11:44
“For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.” - NKJ
JOHN 1:14
“14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacle) among us…” - NKJ
Jesus is Holy because God is Holy and Jesus is God in human form. Our righteousness is of filthy rags…just as the priests could not go into God’s presence with their worldly clothes we cannot get into God’s presence without the righteousness of Christ.
Not only is Jesus a Holy covering, He is also royalty (purple yarn). Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord or Lords. He is the most High God. He is the Almighty Redeemer. He is more valuable and more royal than any other king or queen that we have ever or will ever see. We are covered by His righteous, royal, holy robe if you will so we will be acceptable to God.
Jesus is a Holy covering, royalty, and he also took upon His shoulders the sin (scarlet yarn) of the world. He was crucified for us so we may have a relationship with God. He took our sins upon Him. When He took those sins upon His shoulders we are now purified by the blood of the Lamb!
This gate represented Christ even before man knew it. There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament of the coming of Christ and He fulfilled every single one of them. The odds of a human accomplishing that task would be compared to filling up the state of Texas 3 feet high with quarters then marking a single one with a marker and tossing it in and tell someone to find it…it is impossible. But nothing is impossible with my God!
He is the only way you can get to God. You cannot get into the presence of God without Christ being in the equation.
JOHN 10:9
“I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.” – NLT
JOHN 14:6
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – NLT
When Jesus made these statements the Pharisees and Jews they knew what He was referring too. There is only one way to get into the Tabernacle which leads to the presence of God. When He said:
• I am the way – you have to enter through me, you have to accept me
• I am the truth – you realize your life is not your own…it is God’s
• I am the life – you will have life everlasting…you really start to live
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