Last week, in Wilderness Instructions, Part 12, we learned that the elaborate framework for the tabernacle in the wilderness is to be a reminder to us that Jesus’ gift on the cross has formed the framework upon which hangs every hope of salvation, every hope of freedom from the dominion of darkness and sin.
The next few verses of instruction, found in Exodus 27, are centered on the courtyard: “Make a courtyard for the tabernacle.” (Ex. 27:9a).
As for the rest of the items described, the details of the courtyard are explicit. The dimensions were to be approximately 150 feet (45 metres) in length, and 75 feet (22.5 metres) in width (See Vs. 9b, 11, 12). The “walls” of the courtyard were to be made of fine linen curtains, strung from silver hooks on posts that were set on bronze bases (See Vs. 10, 11, 12). The curtains were to all be approximately 7.5 feet (2.25 metres) high (See Vs. 14, 15), and they were to be fastened to the ground with bronze tent pegs (See Vs. 19). And the curtains for the entrance to the tabernacle were to be embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet yarn (Vs. 16).
I would like to suggest that just like everything we’ve discussed so far in the wilderness tabernacle pointed to Jesus, the court yard does as well. The tabernacle was the place where the people could approach God. When Christ came to this Earth, He walked among men. He was accessible to all who sought Him. But His glory was only beheld by those who drew near in faith: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 NIV)
Thus, the courtyard, what the people saw, is a reminder of the fact that Jesus walks among us and is accessible to all who seek Him. His glory, however, is only for those who accept His gift of righteousness!
It is interesting to note that these curtains were actually quite similar to the curtains that made up the innermost covering to the tabernacle itself (See Wilderness Instructions, Part 11). We learned when we studied these curtains that they were designed to help us remember the purity of Christ. They curtains were covered by three other layers, which we learned is symbolic of the fact that we have to pass beneath the blood of Jesus in order to fully experience Him. But the curtains that made up the courtyard were very similar, and these were not covered up. Why?
I would suggest that the curtains that made up the courtyard also represent Christ. These curtains, however, are not so much a reminder for those within — for those who have already accepted His righteousness as their own — but rather, they were considered to be the presentation of Christ to the World! Christ in the purity of His nature!
Friends, does the exterior of your heart-temple represent Christ in the purity of His nature? When the world sees you, does it see a reflection of the purity of Jesus? I’m afraid that mine doesn’t, or at least not all of the time! Let’s let this curtain that made up the perimeter of the courtyard serve as a reminder to us that the exterior of our heart-temples — Our characters — should always reflect Jesus Christ. For this, my friends, is the only part of our heart-temples that is visible to the world around us, and only in the purity of our exterior curtains will the world see Jesus in us, will the world want what we have in Christ!
Of specific interest is the fact that the gate curtain is described as being almost identical to the veil that separated the Holy place from the Holy of Holies: “For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. It shall have four pillars and four sockets.” (Exod 27:16, NKJV, compare to Exodus 26:31). We saw in Wilderness Instructions, Part 10 that the veil represents Jesus Christ, and it is only through Him that we have access to the presence of God. Could it be that the purpose of the gate curtain is the same? To remind of that it is only through Jesus that we can access the presence of God?
Jesus seemed to indicate that it was when He said, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:7-9 NIV)
Friends, as we read about the instructions for the courtyard of the tabernacle in the wilderness, let it be a reminder to us, not only that Jesus is the only way to God and is accessible by all who seek Him, but also that the exterior of our heart-temples (our characters) is the only picture of Jesus that the unsaved world may ever see! Let’s make sure that it is a pure representation of the Jesus we’ve come to know and love! Let’s reflect His glory today!
Please join us next week for the final part of Wilderness Instructions, Part 14: You Shall Make an Altar…
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two teens, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries.
* Arthur W. Pink Archives, page 46 (hyperlink to http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Gleanings_Exodus/exodus_46.htm)
** Archaeological Study Bible, Copyright 2005 by the Zondervan Corporation, p. 153, The Tabernacle and the Ark and p. 133, Commentary on Vs. 25:37.
(To access the entire “Wilderness Instructions” mini-series, please click here.)