V.1-8 We now go out into the courtyard (see the diagram). The first object inside the gate of the court was this altar, made of wood, but covered with brass. It would have been about 7½ feet x 7½ feet x 4½ feet high. The people (about 604,000 men) would bring their animals as a sacrifice to God, to this altar. A picture of the cross of Christ. These people brought an animal, which they killed and burnt on the altar. When we read the early chapters of Leviticus we’ll learn of the different sacrifices they brought to this altar.
The altar was made of wood (Christ’s humanity) covered with brass (His endurance of the punishment of God for our sins).
V.9-15 The courtyard was surrounded by a linen fence, made of pure white, 5 cubits (about 7½ feet high). It was 100 cubits (about 150 feet) long and 50 cubits (75 feet) wide. A picture of the purity of the life of Christ. The people camped all around the tabernacle, and could see this curtain of white linen. When Jesus was here, the people saw a perfect, sinless Man. The people couldn’t see over this curtain and no one could come near it. Read the end of Numbers 1:5151And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. (Numbers 1:51).
V.16 A beautiful gate 20 cubits (30 feet) wide! Plenty of room to enter. The gate had the same colors as the door, and was the same total area, 20 x 5 cubits = 100. The door was 10 x 10 = 100 cubits.