Scripture: “You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle. You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side; and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons; and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame. And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners. And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.
“You shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward. The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end. You shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold. Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.”
Exodus 26:15-30 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Yahweh first describes the interior tabernacle curtains (ten panels 42 feet long by 6 feet wide) constructed of finely twisted linen woven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarns and embroidered with cherubim. Moses (i.e., Moses’ craftsmen) will sew the panels into two sets of five. Each side will hang on a frame with fifty loops conjoined by fifty golden clasps/hooks. The outer curtains will comprise eleven panels of goats’ hair sewn together in two segments, one of five and the other of six panels, with both hung and conjoined like the inner current. (The extra panel would accommodate overlap to cover the backside of the tabernacle.) Finally, both curtains and the roof will receive a waterproof covering: the outermost walls of tanned rams’ skins and the roof of goatskins.
Today’s reading covers the tabernacle’s framework. Accordingly, its layout is as follows:
- Verticle supports: made of acacia wood; 15 feet high by 2.25 feet wide, held together by two tenons.
- South and north sides: twenty frames with two bases of silver under each frame.
- East (rear) and west (front) sides: six frames with two additional frames that form the corners (secured by golden rings); two bases made of silver for each of the eight frames.
- Top horizontal bars: five are placed on each frame (made of acacia wood).
- Middle horizontal bars: five are placed on each frame (overlayed with gold and held by golden rings).
Construction note: The tenon (a/k/a hand or yad) kept the 48 boards in place. Each board had two tenons mortised into it (see 36:22). They were constructed of wood that was harder than acacia to withstand the wind and weather. The tenons were sunk into the sockets to facilitate their speedy erection of the tabernacle frame. The Hebrew for “corner” (miqsôaʿ) means “angle.” Thus, the craftsmen would cut the verticle beams forming the corners at an angle.
Takeaway: There are two points to note regarding the tabernacle’s framework. First, its masterful design facilitated assembly and breakdown quickly—a necessary feature to allow Israel to efficiently encamp and move on a moment’s notice—particularly when warring nations pressed in on them. Second, its opulent materials (gilded acacia frames and gold rings) point heavenward. As explored in our March 5, 2025, Daily Focus, Yahweh continues to remind Moses of the nature of the tabernacle: a reflection of the ultimate reality of the kingdom of heaven per the divine plan shown on the mountain (v.30). The author of Hebrews references this point in history, contending that the tabernacle “serves a copy and shadow of heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). He adds: Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second (Hebrews 8:6-7 ESV).
Sadly, the first covenant, initiated with Abraham (founded on Abraham’s faith) and advanced with Moses (based on Israel’s obedience to the law), proved unsustainable because of Israel’s sin-marred minds and hearts. So, not even the tabernacle’s beautifully sophisticated design (that pointed Israel to their Maker and their eternal home) could inspire them to live by faith in loving obedience to their Father’s righteous life-saving laws. Hence, through Jeremiah, God announced a forthcoming new covenant where he would inscribe his laws not on stone tablets but on the hearts of his people (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
Our takeaway? We, too, have sin-marred minds and hearts, but we are blessed to live in this inaugural age of the New Covenant. The author of Hebrews emphasizes these points and reminds us to:
- Live by faith, nurturing our hope for the unseen (i.e., our heavenly home (Hebrews 11:1).
- Persevere our life race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).
- Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who fulfilled the entire law perfectly, endured his crucifixion for us (his joy), and reclaimed his heavenly position of authority (Hebrews 12:2).
Indeed, Jesus is the last and most beautifully designed Tabernacle to whom we must devote our attention and loving affection.
Our part? Submit to the Holy Spirit, who will erect a masterful framework in us (sanctification process) centered on loving and serving our Lord with gladness and singleness of heart. When we do, we will find it more expeditious to break camp, escaping the sin that so easily entangles us (Hebrews 12:1), and stay on course onward and upward to our heavenly Promised Land.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who faithfully served you, fulfilling all your laws perfectly. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who indwells us and reconstructs our spiritual frameworks to support holy lives reflecting you and your Son’s holiness (1 Peter 1:14-16). So, please help us consistently cooperate with your Holy Spirit to endure the race set before us while focusing on our beautiful Savior and Lord each step of the way. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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