Exodus 26:30–31: “And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain. You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim.”

November 30th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

This is the 3rd time God gave this sort of warning as He instructed Moses on how to build the tabernacle: “make sure you construct this according to what was shown you on the mountain.” God obviously wanted them to follow the detailed plans He had given Moses on the mountain exactly. Here God described the design for the curtain or veil of the tabernacle. We would naturally tend to look at the tabernacle from the outside looking in, but here it is described from God’s point of view, looking from the inside out.

God’s perspective began in the Holy of Holies and moved outward to the slightly larger room, the Holy Place. In the Holy of Holies, the innermost room, we find the ark or chest covered with the mercy seat. Looking back in hindsight, we can see that the ark represented Jesus as the covenant keeper and the mercy seat was the place of atonement. Because of His mercy and through His once and for all atonement, we can approach Him. Moving outward, into the next room we find the table for showbread, which is a picture of Jesus being the Bread of Life, and it is the place of communion. Also there we find the menorah or lampstand, reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World and it is a picture of His testimony. As we abide in Him, stay close to Him, we reflect His light to the world.

The veil described here that was used to separate the people from God was also in the temple in Jerusalem. This is the veil that was torn in two, from top to bottom, the day the Savior of the world died. Before this veil was ripped, mankind had no direct access to God’s presence. Through His death, Jesus, the Son of God, who came to take away the sin of the world, created an “Open Door” into the presence of God. Now when we are in need, we all have direct access to the throne of grace: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matt. 27:50–53). In tearing that veil and removing it as a barrier into His presence, God was proclaiming to the people of the world that the ministry of the Jewish priesthood had ended. No longer was a high priest needed to atone for sin. Jesus, the true high priest, had opened the way for mankind to come into the presence of God through His atoning blood. The torn veil is symbolic of the torn body of Christ, who made it possible for us to come worship and bow down at the foot of the throne of God.

“LORD, we are humbled by Your sacrifice for us. Help us to serve You well this day, in Jesus’ name.”