What is the meaning of Exodus 26:20? For the second side Exodus 26:20 begins, “For the second side…”. The Lord has already specified the south side (Exodus 26:18), so now He turns to the opposite length. • God’s blueprints unfold in an orderly, step-by-step sequence—nothing random, nothing left to human guesswork (compare Exodus 25:9; Hebrews 8:5). • The phrase reminds us that every detail has a divinely appointed place. Like Israel, we are called to follow directions in the given order (Exodus 39:32; John 14:15). of the tabernacle The verse continues, “…of the tabernacle….” This isn’t just any tent; it is the dwelling place of the Holy One (Exodus 25:8). • “Tabernacle” points to God’s desire to live among His people—ultimately fulfilled in Christ who “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). • Each frame, socket, and curtain contributes to one united whole, echoing the call for every believer to do his part in the body of Christ (Ephesians 2:21-22). the north side Next we read, “…the north side….” Orientation mattered. The entrance faced east (Exodus 27:13-16), leaving north as one of the long sides. • The tribes camped in corresponding directions; Dan, Asher, and Naphtali were placed on the north (Numbers 2:25-29). God aligned worship and community. • Positioning teaches that God organizes every aspect of life—spatial, spiritual, and relational (1 Corinthians 14:40). make twenty frames The instruction concludes, “…make twenty frames.” Identical to the south side (Exodus 26:18), the north required twenty sturdy boards. • Materials: “acacia wood” (Exodus 26:15) pictured incorruptibility, pointing to Christ’s sinless humanity (1 Peter 1:19). • Precision: twenty frames—no more, no less—show God values exact obedience (Genesis 6:22; Matthew 5:18). • Stability: paired with forty silver bases (Exodus 26:19, 21), the frames formed a solid wall, illustrating how redemption (silver) upholds God’s house (1 Peter 1:18-19). summary Exodus 26:20, though brief, underscores God’s meticulous care: a second, north-side wall of twenty acacia frames, set in silver, fitted into His larger tabernacle plan. Every measurement, direction, and material reflects His holiness, His desire to dwell among His people, and His call for precise, wholehearted obedience. |