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Exodus 26 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
“You shall make a screen for the doorway of the tent of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver. 37 “You shall make five pillars of acacia for the screen and overlay them with gold, their hooks also being of gold; and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.
Exodus 26:36-37 NASB
The same Hebrew word (masak) is used to describe the screen at the gate of the court (Exo 27:16; Exo 35:17; Exo 38:18; Exo 39:40; Exo 40:8, Exo 40:33). At times, this word is used for the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exo 35:12; Exo 39:34; Exo 40:21; compare the term “veil” in Exo 26:31). This screen was made of multicolored threads and fine artistry, and it was held in place by five pillars, overlaid with gold, and fitted with sockets. It would not be a flimsy fabric that the wind might blow open. Entrance into the inner Tabernacle was highly restricted by this heavy, ornamental barrier. The Christian is reminded here of the wonder of access to the living God because of Christ’s completed work (Heb 4:16).
Nelson’s New Illustrated Commentary
I am most fascinated by the comparison to Christ here. The wonder of access to the living God through Jesus Christ is something we must never take for granted. We have confidence knowing that through Christ, we are permitted to come into the presence of the Lord.
Furthermore, we know that when Christ accomplished the work at the cross, the veil was torn signaling that access to God was available and the Holy Spirit would be released. It’s crazy to think that before our era, access to God was so legalistic and restricted. Now, through Jesus, we are living temples. We are enabled to pass through the veil and into the presence of God on a daily basis, and all because of one God-man, Jesus Christ.