“And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.”
Context:The book of Exodus is the second book of the Bible and is part of the Pentateuch, which includes the first five books of the Old Testament. Exodus narrates the story of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses, and the establishment of the covenant between God and the nation of Israel. In chapters 25 to 40, God instructs Moses on the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where the Israelites would worship Him during their wilderness journey.
Exodus 38:11 is part of a passage describing the construction of the outer court of the Tabernacle. It outlines the dimensions and materials used in making the curtains for the north side of the Tabernacle.
Key Points:
- Hangings for the North Side:The text mentions the hangings for the north side of the Tabernacle. These hangings served as a protective barrier, enclosing the Tabernacle area, and signifying the separation between the sacred space of worship and the common camp of the Israelites.
- Length:The hangings for the north side were 100 cubits long. The cubit was a unit of measurement used in ancient times, approximately equal to the length from a person’s elbow to the tip of their middle finger, which varied slightly in different cultures.
- Pillars and Sockets:Twenty pillars were used to support the hangings. These pillars were likely made of wood and were fixed into sockets of brass. The sockets provided stability and ensured that the hangings remained upright and secure.
- Hooks and Fillets:The pillars were connected to the hangings by hooks, and their fillets were made of silver. The hooks were probably used to attach the hangings to the pillars, while the fillets could be decorative bands or ornamentation to add beauty to the structure.
Spiritual Lessons:
- Importance of Order and Structure:The detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle show us that God is a God of order and attention to detail. This emphasizes the importance of reverence and respect in our approach to worship. Just as the Tabernacle was carefully planned and constructed, our worship and service to God should be done with thoughtfulness and orderliness.
- Symbolism of Separation:The hangings served as a barrier that separated the sacred space of the Tabernacle from the rest of the camp. This separation symbolizes the holiness of God and the need for a consecrated place to meet with Him. It also points to the distinction between the sacred and the secular, reminding us that as God’s people, we are called to live differently from the world around us.
- Materials Used:The combination of brass and silver in the construction of the Tabernacle reflects a significant aspect of worship. Brass is often associated with judgment and sacrifice, symbolizing the need for atonement for sin, while silver represents redemption and salvation. This reminds us of the sacrificial system that pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sins and offers us redemption and eternal life.
- Christological Interpretation:The Tabernacle itself, with its various components, is considered a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. The curtain and its pillars allude to Christ as the mediator between God and humanity, as He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The brass and silver materials signify His sacrificial death and redemptive work on the cross.
In conclusion, Exodus 38:11, though seemingly detailed in its description of the construction of the Tabernacle, holds profound spiritual lessons for us today. It teaches us about the importance of order in worship, the symbolism of separation between the sacred and the secular, and the deeper significance of the materials used, all pointing to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Mediator.
