Second Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

Second Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

Exodus 26: ⁷ “You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains. ⁸ The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; and the eleven curtains shall all have the same measurements. ⁹ And you shall couple five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the forefront of the tent. ¹⁰ You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain of the second set. ¹¹ And you shall make fifty bronze clasps, put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. ¹² The remnant that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. ¹³ And a cubit on one side and a cubit on the other side, of what remains of the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and on that side, to cover it.

 

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GOD gave Moses additional detailed instructions for the second set of curtains.

 

My Observations:

• A scapegoat would be instituted as a symbolic representation of taking on the guilt of sin and JESUS became our scapegoat.
• JESUS also said HE would separate the sheep from the goats, meaning believers would be separated from non-believer in HIS salvation.
• GOD called for the use of bronze on these curtains, which is a lesser metal that would patina due to the cheap metal ingredients.

 

I believe the second set of curtains represent the human part of the relationship with GOD. Goat’s hair could be shaved off without killing the animal. Bronze would be used to hold up the goat hair curtains. I believe GOD allows humans to temporarily do their own thing, but is will have lesser results, like bronze compared to gold.

 

I also believe that human results require the need for JESUS to become our scapegoat. The overwhelming number of curtains and the extreme extra care it would take to fashion the curtains would remind the high priests of the need for GOD’s forgiveness.  GOD was very intentional in HIS choice of materials.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the details regarding the curtains made from goat’s hair?
• Has GOD focused your attention on HIS mercy HE has for you?
• Have you placed your human efforts and expectations under GOD’s control?

I do not want to be a scapegoat

Leviticus 16: ²⁰ “Aaron will finish making the Most Holy Room pure and clean. He will finish making the Tent of Meeting and the altar pure.

“Then he will bring the live goat out. ²¹ He must place both of his hands on its head. While he does that, he must tell me about all of the sins the people of Israel have committed. He must tell me about all of their evil acts and the times they did not obey me. In that way he puts their sins on the goat’s head.

“Then he will send the goat away into the desert. The goat will be led away by a man who was appointed to do it.²² The goat will carry all of their sins on itself to a place where there are no people. And the man will set the goat free in the desert.

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A few people caused mischief in the classroom this day. It was fun! They were running around like they had lost their minds while the substitute teacher stepped out. Just like a sitcom, when she returned I was acting crazy.  It looked like I was the ring leader of this craziness and I only joined in at the end!

I was punished for everyone else’s mayhem and sentenced to picking up the room by myself.

• Being the scapegoat feels rotten.
• Being the blame feels terrible.
• Being the scoundrel feels horrible.

I have tried to make others the scapegoat by pointing out their flaws and infirmities. Maybe if I can point to someone else then I won’t be noticed. Maybe I can look better than “that” person then my shortcomings can be overlooked.

• JESUS became the scapegoat for me.
• JESUS was blamed for all of my sins.
• JESUS was sentenced to death because of me.

An innocent man died because of me. While this is a sobering truth it is also a celebration point. HE was raised from the dead and so was I. Every sin I have and will commit has been forgiven!

• Are you making someone the scapegoat for your shortcomings?
• Are you blaming someone else for you behaviors?
• Can you accept your responsibility and confess your sins to GOD?
• Can you admit you are a sinner and know that with confession you gain your power back?