“And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.”
Context: The verse is part of the instructions given by God to Moses regarding the construction of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was a portable sanctuary that served as a place of worship and a symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness.
The Veil: In this verse, God instructs Moses to hang a veil (also known as a curtain) under the clasps. This veil would serve as a divider between the holy place and the most holy place (also called the Holy of Holies).
The Purpose of the Veil: The veil had a specific purpose in the tabernacle. It symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin. The Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Testimony was to be placed, represented the dwelling place of God’s presence. Only the high priest was allowed to enter this sacred space, and even then, only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The veil served as a barrier that reminded the people of their sinfulness and the need for atonement.
The Ark of the Testimony: The Ark of the Testimony, also known as the Ark of the Covenant, was a sacred chest that contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and a jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). It was a symbol of God’s covenant with His people and His presence among them.
Symbolism and Fulfillment: The veil separating the holy place from the Most Holy Place held symbolic significance. In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews reveals that this veil represented the separation between God and humanity that existed under the Old Covenant (Hebrews 9:1-9, 10:19-22). However, when Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest, died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying the removal of the separation between God and humanity (Matthew 27:51). Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we now have direct access to God’s presence and can approach Him boldly (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Application: Exodus 26:33 reminds us of the holiness of God and the need for reconciliation. It underscores the importance of recognizing our own sinfulness and the significance of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice as the ultimate atonement for our sins. As believers, we can now approach God freely, knowing that the barrier of sin has been removed through Jesus Christ.
Remember to read and study the entire book of Exodus for a deeper understanding of the tabernacle and its significance in the biblical narrative.
