Exodus 36:14-34
The materials have been collected together, the workmen appointed, and now the construction of the tabernacle is going to commence. We shall have the opportunity of noticing from all this several picture types and some new instructions.
The coverings are first enumerated. The first, the most beautiful, could only be seen from the inside, by the light of the candlestick, when the priest was in the holy place. Just so, the various glories of Jesus can be understood and appreciated only by the light which the Holy Spirit affords, and in the presence of God. On the other hand, in the fourth covering, made of rough badger skins, the tabernacle, unlike ancient temples (and modern religious buildings also) had nothing on the outside to attract attention. It recalls to us the One who had no form or comeliness, and who had nothing to make men desire Him (Isaiah 53:2; John 5:41). May God preserve us from the attractions of the world and its spirit; may He keep us from desiring its fleeting glories, from wishing to make our mark there any more than our Master did.
Solidly planted on their silver sockets, the boards, picture of the redeemed, bring to mind that exhortation of the apostle: "So stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Philippians 4:1).