(1) The curtain
(NAC) Everything making up the tabernacle and its courtyard could be rather quickly disassembled, wrapped or bundled up, and transported as the Israelites moved from place to place before settling in Canaan. It also could be reassembled rather quickly whenever they set up camp. Thus as the Israelites moved, God moved with them. Wherever they went, he lived in their midst.
Images of cherubim were also used to cover the ark 25:18-22. Again cherubim was the design on the curtain. OT has many description of the cherubim, but the only one proceeding Exodus is Genesis 3:24
(BKC) The 10 curtains were made of linen and brilliantly colored (blue, purple, and scarlet) yarn (cf. 25:4), and were embroidered with cherubim (cf. comments on 25:18). The curtains were each 6’ wide and 42’ long.
When the long edges of 5 of the curtains were joined together the newly formed curtain measured 30’ by 42’. With the next set of 5 curtains, the 10 together (fastened by 50 gold clasps on the edge of each of the adjoining two sets) measured 60’ by 42’.
The 60’ width (10 curtains each 6’ wide), then enabled the curtains to cover the top of the tabernacle (45’ long) and the back (15’ high). The 42’ (the length of each curtain) extended over the top of the tabernacle (15’ wide) and down each side (15’ high) to within 18” (one cubit) of the ground.
Reflection: God was willing to dwell with Israel. He did not wait until they moved to the Promised Land. He was with them along the way in the wilderness. In NT believers of Jesus Christ has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We do not just enjoy God in heaven in the future, but right now we can have God among us.
When the long edges of 5 of the curtains were joined together the newly formed curtain measured 30’ by 42’. With the next set of 5 curtains, the 10 together (fastened by 50 gold clasps on the edge of each of the adjoining two sets) measured 60’ by 42’.
The 60’ width (10 curtains each 6’ wide), then enabled the curtains to cover the top of the tabernacle (45’ long) and the back (15’ high). The 42’ (the length of each curtain) extended over the top of the tabernacle (15’ wide) and down each side (15’ high) to within 18” (one cubit) of the ground.
Reflection: God was willing to dwell with Israel. He did not wait until they moved to the Promised Land. He was with them along the way in the wilderness. In NT believers of Jesus Christ has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We do not just enjoy God in heaven in the future, but right now we can have God among us.
(2) v.1 you are to make them with cherubim that are the work of an artistic designer.
Images of cherubim were also used to cover the ark 25:18-22. Again cherubim was the design on the curtain. OT has many description of the cherubim, but the only one proceeding Exodus is Genesis 3:24
When he drove the man out, he placed on the eastern side of the orchard in Eden angelic sentries who used the flame of a whirling sword to guard the way to the tree of life.
(NET) The cherubim in the Bible seem to be a class of angels that are composite in appearance. Their main task seems to be guarding. Here they guard the way to the tree of life. The curtain in the tabernacle was to be embroidered with cherubim as well, symbolically guarding the way to God.
(NET) The cherubim in the Bible seem to be a class of angels that are composite in appearance. Their main task seems to be guarding. Here they guard the way to the tree of life. The curtain in the tabernacle was to be embroidered with cherubim as well, symbolically guarding the way to God.
Reflection: When the Israelites priests entered the sanctuary they were reminded about the guard to the tree of life. It was the result of man's sin and we were expelled from Eden. I can imagine that the priests would be very careful what they did and said in the sanctuary. God judged man's sin.
Also, in the whole sanctuary, there were no images of God. The true object of our worship has no image in the whole structure. People could only worship God in spirit.
Audrey
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