Exodus 26 - 07.09.26
SCRIPTURE
“Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain—will separate—the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”
Exodus 26:33 NIV
OBSERVATION
Approaching God
Why did God give such explicit directions for the Tabernacle? And why is it important that all these building instructions for the Tabernacle and its contents are preserved for us in God’s word? All God’s word is useful for teaching what is true (2 Tim 3:16). So I wanted to dig a little deeper and seek God for understanding.
One truth God highlighted is His holiness.
At that time the Tabernacle was the one—and—only place in the entire world where people could enter God’s Presence. The design of the Tabernacle itself—the division of the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and everything included inside—were all purposefully constructed and meant to point us to the Holiness of God and importance of His Worship.
No one doubted that God was indeed there—but access to HIM was an entirely different matter.
Only the priests could enter, and only when performing their priestly duties. And as soon as they stepped inside, they faced another curtain. THE Curtain that separated them from the Holy of Holies. According to the Jewish Talmud, this Curtain was four inches thick (15’ high) and required more than a hundred priests to move. All of this was designed to show the supreme holiness of God.
This curtain could only be travailed once a year by the High Priest as a representative who would carry in a blood sacrifice offering for his sin as well as for the people’s sin.
The Israelites had a keen understanding of God’s Holiness. They had stood at the foot of Mount Sinai—covered in a thick cloud like the smoke of a kiln. The very mountain itself trembled like an earthquake. Its peaks were charged with lightning and the rocks were blazing with fire while sounds of thunder reverberated in their bodies. A trumpet sound blowing—grew louder and louder. The whole mountain quaked—under the Israelite’s feet. The Israelites were so afraid they were literally shaking and trembling (Exodus 19:16). This was the awesome, fearsome holiness of God that the Israelites witnessed. God’s Presence—a theophany on that Mountain.
If I had lived in those days I would be thankful God presented Himself in a Tabernacle behind a Thick unpenetrable Curtain that common people could not travail. His Holiness was so Awesome (a word we use to describe many things not coming close to God’s Awesome Power and Holiness) that it caused people to be tremble and physically shake with Fear.
APPLICATION
Approaching God Today
Good News and Good News
The Tabernacle was always meant to point us to Jesus—the earthly copy of a heavenly reality (Hebrews 8:5)—teaching us both God’s overwhelming holiness and the deep separation our sin creates. Yet Christ, our true High Priest, did not enter a man‑made tent but stepped into heaven itself, offering His own perfect blood—so—we could draw near to God’s throne” (Hebrews 9:11–12, 24).
Jesus opened the way into (Heaven) the Most Holy Place, into God’s very Presence (Hebrews 10:19–22). Because His sacrifice is complete—I can receive full forgiveness and redemption (Ephesians 1:7). I can come so near that God has placed His Spirit within me as the guarantee of Heaven (Ephesians 1:13–14).
Jesus death on the Cross tore that thick heavy curtain—four inch thick and fifteen feet high—that separated us from God’s Presence! The one that took over one hundred priests to move it was so heavy. Yet Christ’s blood sacrifice on the Cross—Abolished the separation. It is Finished!
“And at once the dividing curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split.”
(Matthew 27:51)
The God who welcomes me is the same Holy God—awesome, worthy, deserving of holy fear whose throne John saw surrounded by flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder.
“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.
(Revelation 4:2, 5a)
Yet—Approaching Him today is good news upon good news: the Holy God has made a way for sinners to come close.
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.
It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believesin Christ as Savior—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.””
(Romans 1:16-17 NLT)
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Loving me and Calling me into Your Saving Grace.
Thank You for Tabernacling with me.
Help me Lord Jesus to be mindful of the Awesome Fear You are worthy of that reminds me to Obey and Serve You first and to give You my Whole heart.
May nothing in me be divided. You are a Holy God and You say—Be holy because I am Holy. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit to guide me into Your Truth and supply the Strength to Follow You. Thank You for Your never ending love and Faithfulness. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Come Lord Come.
Tina L Kudelka