Exodus 26:22
And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.
Exodus 26:22 (KJV)
Context
Exodus 26 records God’s detailed instructions for building the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary the Israelites carried through the wilderness. This structure was not merely a tent; it was the designated place where God’s presence dwelt among His people. Every measurement and material was given with precision, showing that worship of the holy God follows His order, not human preference.
The tabernacle had three main areas: the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. Each part had a specific purpose in approaching God. The boards described in this chapter formed the walls of the structure, giving it stability and shape. This verse focuses on the westward side, which was the rear of the tabernacle, facing away from the entrance.
Meaning
The instruction to make six boards for the west side is specific and deliberate. In biblical symbolism, the number six often represents incompleteness or human imperfection, falling short of seven, which signifies completeness. Here, six boards alone did not fully enclose the tabernacle; more boards were needed for the corners and the other sides. This detail reminds us that the old covenant system was not final or complete in itself.
The boards were placed vertically and joined together, each one depending on the others to form a solid wall. No board stood alone. This interdependence was essential for the tabernacle to function as a dwelling place for God. The careful joining of the boards also reflects the unity and cooperation required among the Israelites in building and maintaining this sacred space.
Biblical connections
The tabernacle was a shadow pointing to Jesus Christ. In John 2:19-21, Jesus called His body the temple, indicating that He is the true dwelling place of God among humanity. Colossians 2:9 affirms that in Christ dwells all the fullness of God. The boards, though part of a physical structure, foreshadow the spiritual reality that believers are being built together as a dwelling place for God through Christ.
The incompleteness of the six boards also points to the temporary nature of the old covenant. The writer of Hebrews explains that the earthly tabernacle was a copy of the heavenly reality, and that Christ entered a greater and more perfect tabernacle (Hebrews 9:11). The six boards, therefore, remind us that the old system looked forward to a complete and final redemption in Christ.
Application
Just as the boards were interconnected and dependent on one another, Christians are called to unity and cooperation within the Church. We are members of one body, each with different gifts, but all needed for the building up of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). No believer is meant to stand alone; we grow and serve together.
The number six also speaks to our ongoing growth. We are not yet complete in our faith, but are being shaped by God daily. Philippians 3:12-14 encourages us to press on toward maturity, not resting in past achievements. The unfinished wall reminds us that God is still at work in us, and we are to cooperate with His shaping.
Reverence for God’s presence is another vital lesson. The tabernacle was a place of awe and holiness, and the Israelites were to approach it with care. Through Christ, we have access to God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-22), but we should still come with humility and respect, recognizing His majesty and our need for His grace.
Reflection
God cares about the details of worship and the lives of His people. The six boards on the west side may seem small, but they were part of a larger design that revealed His holiness and His plan of salvation. As we consider this verse, we are invited to trust God’s instructions, to value our place in His community, and to rest in the completeness that comes through Christ alone.
