Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Exodus 27:9-19 The Court of the Tabernacle

"Make a courtyard for the tabernacle.
The south side shall be a hundred cubits long
and is to have curtains of finely twisted linen,
with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases
and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

The north side shall also be a hundred cubits long
and is to have curtains, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases
and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

 The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits wide
and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases.

On the east end toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide.
Curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on one side of the entrance,
with three posts and three bases, and curtains fifteen cubits long
are to be on the other side, with three posts and three bases.

For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long,
of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen
-- the work of an embroiderer --
with four posts and four bases.

All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands and hooks, and bronze bases.
The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide,
with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits high, and with bronze bases.
All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle,
whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it
and those for the courtyard,
are to be of bronze."

Exodus 27:9-19 (NIV)
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The instructions for the courtyard of the tabernacle are continued in these verses.  These instructions are very specific as to the length and width of the courtyard, and the materials to be used in making the curtains, the hooks and bands on the posts, other utensils and even the tent pegs.  Detailed instructions regarding the positioning of the curtains is also included.

Although some may find these details tiresome, they serve to underline the serious nature of coming to worship the God who made the universe.  The details also reveal an emphasis upon God's holiness:  It is no light matter to come before the Holy One.

Some of the material is even repeated for emphasis.  The last paragraph in these verses is a summary of previous details which were given regarding the construction of the tabernacle courtyard.  Some new information, though, is included:  the curtains are to be five cubits high, which is about 7.5 feet or about 2.3 meters.  Also, the instructions for the making of other utensils -- even down to the tent pegs -- are additional commands.

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