What is the meaning of Exodus 26:32? Hang it The Lord told Moses to “hang it,” referring to the inner veil that would separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33). This was not to be draped casually but fixed in position, underscoring the real barrier between God’s holiness and human sin. Later, Hebrews 9:3 reminds us that “behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,” while Matthew 27:51 records that at Christ’s death “the veil of the temple was torn in two,” showing the barrier removed through His sacrifice. with gold hooks Gold, the metal of kings and of the divine presence, held the veil in place. By specifying gold hooks, God highlighted the priceless worth of communion with Him. Just as the ark was overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:11) and the temple gleamed with gold (1 Kings 6:22), every connection point in the Tabernacle echoed His glory. Revelation 21:18 pictures the New Jerusalem “of pure gold,” pointing us toward an eternal dwelling where holiness is the norm. on four posts Four sturdy pillars lifted the veil. In Scripture, “four” often speaks of completeness in the earthly realm—four directions, four winds (Revelation 7:1). These posts provided stability so the curtain never sagged, mirroring the unwavering standard of God’s holiness. Exodus 36:36 repeats that Bezalel made “four posts” exactly as ordered, illustrating meticulous obedience. of acacia wood Acacia wood is hard, resistant to decay, and abundant in the wilderness. God chose it for the ark (Exodus 25:10) and the altar (Exodus 27:1). Its endurance pictures an incorruptible humanity—ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the One who “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21) yet took on flesh “and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The wood reminds us that God works through real, tangible materials and people. overlaid with gold The blend of acacia wood and gold—humanity covered in divinity—prefigures the mystery that “in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9). God did not discard the wood; He covered it. In the same way, Jesus retained true humanity while embodying true deity, revealing the only bridge sturdy enough to bring sinners into the presence of a holy God (Hebrews 10:19-20). and standing on four silver bases Each post rested on a socket of silver, the metal tied to redemption money (Exodus 30:13-16). Silver foundations proclaim that access to God stands on redemption, not human merit. Numbers 3:46-51 shows the Levites redeemed with silver, and 1 Peter 1:18-19 says we are redeemed “not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.” The veil’s very support system whispers that every approach to God must rest on a finished, paid-in-full ransom. summary Exodus 26:32 weaves a beautiful tapestry: • A veil “hung” to declare a real separation. • “Gold hooks” highlighting the priceless glory of God. • “Four posts” giving full stability. • “Acacia wood” portraying incorruptible humanity. • “Overlaid with gold” revealing divinity united with humanity. • “Silver bases” grounding it all in redemption. Taken together, the verse shows that access to God is both costly and precise, ultimately realized in Jesus, whose flesh became the true veil and whose redemption now invites us to draw near with confidence. |