What is the meaning of Exodus 26:26? You are also to make - The directive comes straight from the LORD, underscoring that every detail of the tabernacle flows from His initiative, not human invention (Exodus 25:9; Hebrews 8:5). - God invites Israel—through Moses—into active obedience. The tabernacle would not miraculously appear; faithful hands had to fashion it (Exodus 35:30-35). - This pattern continues today. Although salvation is God’s work, He calls believers to participate in His purposes (Philippians 2:12-13; James 2:17). five crossbars - The number five appears repeatedly in the tabernacle’s construction (e.g., five curtains, five pillars, Exodus 26:3, 37), suggesting deliberate order rather than random choice. - These crossbars strengthened the frames, preventing wobble and keeping the entire wall aligned (Exodus 26:28). - In the church, God still provides “support beams”—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—“for the equipping of the saints” (Ephesians 4:11-12), so the spiritual house won’t sag under pressure. of acacia wood - Acacia is dense, durable, and resistant to decay—ideal for furniture that would travel forty years in a desert (Exodus 25:10, 23). - Many pieces pointing to Christ were made of this wood and overlaid with gold (Exodus 37:1-2). In Him we see perfect humanity (wood) joined with divine glory (gold), forever incorruptible (1 Peter 1:18-19). - As God chose a strong, enduring material, He likewise calls believers to be “steadfast, immovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58). for the frames - The frames formed the visible walls; without them, there was no structure. God’s plan required pieces fitting together in unity (Exodus 26:17-18). - The New Testament mirrors this picture: “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). - Crossbars binding frames foreshadow Christ, who “holds all things together” (Colossians 1:17). on one side of the tabernacle - Each wall—north, south, and west—received its own set of bars (Exodus 26:27). God’s care extended to every side; no part was neglected. - Likewise, He surrounds His people entirely: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7). - The tabernacle had an eastern entrance, hinting that the supportive work of the crossbars pointed inward, directing worshippers toward God’s presence (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:19-20). summary Exodus 26:26 reveals more than carpentry instructions. It shows a God who commands with purpose, supplies precise means of support, selects materials that last, unites individual pieces into a single dwelling, and secures every side. Just as the crossbars bound the frames, Christ upholds His church, ensuring stability on our pilgrimage until we reach the fullness of His presence. |
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