Exodus 36:35
Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
Next, he made the veil

The veil divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the ark and the mercy seat represented God’s covenant presence among Israel. Only the high priest could pass beyond it, and only once each year on the Day of Atonement, with sacrificial blood for sin.

2Ch 3:14 He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn…
Heb 9:3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy…
Heb 10:20 by the new and living way opened for us…

of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn,

The same rich colors appeared throughout the Tabernacle furnishings and priestly garments, marking this sanctuary as a place set apart for the worship of the heavenly King. The scarlet thread also recalls the blood required for atonement, pointing forward to Christ’s sacrifice.

Exo 35:25 Every skilled woman spun with her hands…
Exo 25:4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
Exo 28:5 They shall use gold, along with blue, purple, and…

and finely spun linen,

Fine linen emphasized purity and beauty in the service of God. Nothing common or careless was permitted in the structure where the holy God chose to dwell among His people.

Exo 39:1 From the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn they made…
Exo 39:27 For Aaron and his sons they made tunics of fine linen…
Rev 19:8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.”…

with cherubim skillfully worked into it.

The cherubim recalled the guardians placed at Eden after humanity’s fall, declaring that sinful people could not enter God’s presence by their own approach. Cherubim also overshadowed the mercy seat within the Most Holy Place. When Christ died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, revealing that through His atoning death believers may draw near to God.

Exo 26:1 You are to construct the tabernacle itself…
Exo 26:31 Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn,…
Heb 9:5 Above the ark were the cherubim of glory,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle from God.

2. Bezalel and Oholiab
Skilled craftsmen appointed by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where God dwelled among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

4. Cherubim
Angelic beings depicted in the veil, symbolizing the presence and holiness of God.

5. The Veil
A curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle, representing the barrier between God and humanity due to sin.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of the Veil
The veil represents the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. It reminds us of the need for atonement and reconciliation with God.

Colors and Materials
The use of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, along with finely spun linen, signifies royalty, divinity, and sacrifice. These elements point to the majesty and holiness of God.

Role of the Cherubim
The cherubim woven into the veil symbolize God's presence and serve as a reminder of the cherubim guarding the way to the Tree of Life in Genesis, highlighting the theme of access to God.

Fulfillment in Christ
The tearing of the veil at Christ's death signifies the new access to God through Jesus, our High Priest, who has made a way for us to enter the Most Holy Place.

Craftsmanship and Worship
The skillful work of the craftsmen reflects the importance of using our God-given talents in service and worship, encouraging us to offer our best to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the construction of the veil in the Tabernacle reflect the holiness of God, and what does this teach us about approaching Him in worship today?

2. In what ways do the colors and materials used in the veil's construction point to the character and work of Christ?

3. How does the presence of cherubim in the veil connect to other biblical instances of cherubim, and what does this reveal about God's nature?

4. What is the significance of the veil being torn at the crucifixion of Jesus, and how does this event impact our relationship with God?

5. How can we apply the example of Bezalel and Oholiab's craftsmanship in our own lives, particularly in the context of serving God and the church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 26:31-33
Provides the original instructions for making the veil, emphasizing its role in separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

Hebrews 9:3-8
Discusses the significance of the veil in the context of the Old Covenant and its fulfillment in Christ.

Matthew 27:51
Describes the tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' crucifixion, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity.

2 Chronicles 3:14
Describes the veil in Solomon's Temple, showing continuity in the design and purpose of the veil across different periods.
Consecrated ArtExodus 36:1-38
False Estimates of Church-WorkersJ. Halsey.Exodus 36:1-38
Indolence in the ChurchJ. Halsey.Exodus 36:1-38
The Work Fails not Either for Gifts or SkillJ. Urquhart Exodus 36:1-38
Jehovah's Dwelling-PlaceJ. Orr Exodus 36:8-38
People
Aholiab, Bezaleel, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Artistic, Best, Blue, Byssus, Cherubim, Cherubs, Craftsman, Cunning, Curious, Designed, Designer, Expert, Fine, Finely, Linen, Maketh, Material, Moreover, Ones, Purple, Red, Scarlet, Skilful, Skilfully, Skilled, Skillful, Stuff, Twined, Twisted, Vail, Veil, Winged, Worked, Workman, Workmen, Yarn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 36:35

     4150   cherubim
     5392   linen

Exodus 36:35-36

     4363   silver
     7396   Most Holy Place

Exodus 36:35-38

     5211   art

Library
Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down in the Mishnah and the Jerusalem Talmud.
The terribly exaggerated views of the Rabbis, and their endless, burdensome rules about the Sabbath may best be learned from a brief analysis of the Mishnah, as further explained and enlarged in the Jerusalem Talmud. [6476] For this purpose a brief analysis of what is, confessedly, one of the most difficult tractates may here be given. The Mishnic tractate Sabbath stands at the head of twelve tractates which together from the second of the six sections into which the Mishnah is divided, and which
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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