We now come to a very interesting part of this wonderful tabernacle — the boards. These boards, as we have remarked before, typify to us the place that believers have “in Christ.” The shittim wood speaks to us of humanity. The Lord Jesus’ humanity was perfect. He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:2626For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26)), but we are part of a fallen race and our humanity is fallen.
Righteous in Him
However, we notice that the wood of these boards was not seen at all, for they were overlaid with gold. Although we were ruined through the fall, yet God in His matchless grace has saved us, and now we are “made the righteousness of God in Him [Christ]” (2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)). He does not see us merely as forgiven sinners, but looks upon us as though we had never sinned at all, and as clothed in all the loveliness and beauty of the best robe which He has put upon us. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)). Our standing before Him is as perfect as the Lord Jesus Himself for we are “in Him.” “As He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)).
I remember once seeing a piece of shittim wood polished and shining, but still it was shittim wood and nothing more. How many today are just like this — trying to “polish the shittim wood” — trying to make themselves fit for the eye of God by efforts of their own. But let us assure you that unless you have Christ for your righteousness you can never stand up before God as the boards in the tabernacle did. The very finest piece of shittim wood obtainable could never find a place in this tabernacle unless it was overlaid with gold, whereas the most rough and knotty piece would be perfectly acceptable as long as it was covered with gold.
Board Dimensions Teach Lessons
Each board was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. The number ten reminds us of our responsibility to God, just as there were ten commandments in the law. There were also ten curtains which remind us of how the Lord Jesus always walked to please His Father in all things. He perfectly measured up to that which God required of man, for He “[magnified] the law and [made] it honorable” (Isaiah 42:2121The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable. (Isaiah 42:21)). But what about ourselves? We come under God’s solemn verdict, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). In ourselves we could never keep God’s holy law or measure up to His glory, but Christ was made a curse for us (Galatians 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13)), and now we who are saved are accepted in Him just as the boards were overlaid with gold. Oh how good it is to be delivered from thoughts of self, and to glory in Christ alone, for He is our All in All. “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:3131That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31)).
We have just noticed in the gold overlay of the boards how our standing in Christ is perfect. It could not be more perfect than it is. God would have our communion and walk to also be according to the perfection of Christ. Therefore the width of the boards was the same measure as the height of the ark and the table—a cubit and a half. We are to have Christ before us and seek to “walk, even as He walked” (1 John 2:66He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)). We all fail, and provision has been made for our failure (1 John 2:11My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)), but God’s desire is to reproduce Christ, practically, in the lives of His children. Let us look to Him for strength and we shall receive it (Philippians 4:1313I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)).
Further Meditation
1. What does the length represent?
2. This chapter mentions the Christian’s standing in Christ. How would you distinguish between the Christian’s “state” (communion and walk) and “standing”?
3. Our position before God in Christ is a fundamental truth introduced in this chapter. You can enjoy a lot more of it in The Christian: His Position and His Work by C. H. Mackintosh.