EXO 27:9-199And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side: 10And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 11And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. 12And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. 13And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. 14The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. 15And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four. 17All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass. 18The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass. 19All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass. (Exodus 27:9‑19))"AND thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side: and the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four. All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver: their books shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass. The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass. All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass."
The Court.
And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle. Ver. 9.] " Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning;" and the things which happened unto Israel " happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."
(1 Cor. 10: 11.) Thus the children of Israel, redeemed out of Egypt, are the types of the redeemed people of God.
In the scriptures we have Israel presented to us, in their history, And in the Divine arrangements respecting them, in various degrees of nearness to God.
First, we see them in Egypt, groaning under the bondage of Pharaoh. This is typical of the experience of the soul under the first convictions of the Spirit, feeling the evil of sin, its bitter bondage, and heavy guilt," laboring and heavy laden." From which deliverance is only obtained by taking shelter under the blood of the Lamb-" Christ our passover. sacrificed for us."
Secondly, we see them in the wilderness, having crossed the Red Sea, wherein all the power of the oppressor has been overwhelmed. Typical of the soul realizing the triumph of the Cross. Principalities and powers spoiled and 'made a show of, and death, and him that had the power of it, destroyed. And the believer no longer at home in the world, but become a pilgrim and stranger here.
Thirdly, we see them in the camp, occupying therein the various positions assigned them by God. Typical of believers in their different callings, ordinary occupations, and their social relationships. Outside the camp the sin-offering was consumed. Outside the camp the lepers and the defiled were obliged to—remain. Within the camp the people of God were required to be a holy people to the Lord their God, who walked up and down in their midst-to be holy in all manner of conversation, and in all the callings and relationships of life.
Fourthly, we see them assembled in the court of the tabernacle. Here the people of God, are represented in their religious character. This is the especial subject of our present consideration.
Fifthly, the priests are seen entering daily through the door of the tent into the first tabernacle, or holy place, accomplishing the service of God. Typical of believers in their priestly character and Church association, engaged in the worship and service of God.
Sixthly, the High Priest is seen entering through the vail into the holy of holies. Typical of Jesus, the High Priest of our profession, entered for us into heaven itself; and of the believer in him having boldness to enter through the rent vail into the holiest of all. (Heb. 10:19-2219Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19‑22).)
Seventhly, we see Israel in the land, having crossed the Jordan. Typical of believers as in spirit raised up together and made to sit together with Jesus in the heavenly places. (Eph. 2:66And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6).)
1. Egypt; 2. the wilderness; 3. the camp; 4. the court; 5. the holy place; 6. the most holy; 7. the land. Divided by-1. the blood of the Paschal Lamb; 2. the Red Sea; 3. the sin-offering; 4. the hanging of the court; 5. the door of the tent; 6. the vail; 7. the Jordan.
This is the scriptural " pilgrim's progress," written not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.
But to return to the court of the tabernacle: the children of Israel seen in this court represent the people of God in their religious character. 'Not as associated in Church fellowship; this is typified by the boards of the tabernacle, but in their general religious aspect. Not only seeking to maintain and to exhibit holiness in the assemblies of God's saints and in Church relationship, but also in the wider sphere of ordinary and every day life.
These curtains of fine twined linen formed a court around the tabernacle, and kept it separate. As the table of shewbread has a border, so the tabernacle of God has a court-a court with hangings of fine twined linen all around, marking separation to God in righteousness and true holiness, maintained by God's saints, not only when met in Church fellowship, but also in their general intercourse, and in the ordinary walks of life. Such is God's plan. As a table without a border is not according to God's pattern, so a tabernacle without a court is contrary to God's order. There must be consistency without, as well as holiness and fellowship within-separation from the world in daily life, as well as in Church fellowship, and in the devotional exercises of the 'assembly.
The court contained the altar of burnt offering and the laver, and had the tabernacle, or dwelling-place of God in its midst. And the Israelites collected there represent believers, realizing atonement and acceptance through the sacrifice of Jesus, sanctification in Christ, and walking and acting in the presence of God.
The Hangings of the Court.
Ver. 9. For the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side.]
The court of the tabernacle; surrounded by these hangings of fine twined linen, represents believers in their ordinary Christian character and intercourse, walking in the presence of God in holiness and righteousness before him, keeping their garments undefiled by sin, putting on and living out Christ, and exhibiting him before men.
The Pillars and Sockets.
Ver. 10. And the twenty pillars thereof, and their twenty sockets (shall be) of brass. Or, as expressed in chapter 38: 10, Their pillars were twenty, and their brazen sockets twenty.] The pillars themselves' were probably of shittim wood, fixed in sockets of brass, representing individual believers in their religious character, and their firm standing.
There were twenty pillars on the north and south, corresponding with the twenty boards of the tabernacle on those sides. The boards representing believers associated in Church fellowship, and the pillars of the court, believers in their wider and‘ ordinary Christian walk.
Each pillar stood firmly fixed in a socket of brass, as expressing the firm and decided stand which is requisite in living out the Christian character.
As united in Church fellowship, in the sight of God, we stand in redemption, like the boards of the. tabernacle on the sockets of silver. But as walking before God, and living before men, in our daily course, we need a holy decision of character, standing, strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, as the pillars of the court' in their sockets of brass. "Having done all, stand," says the apostle. "Stand therefore." (Eph. 6),
If the Church of the living God is to be the pillar and ground of the truth, individual believers in their Christian character and ordinary conduct should seek to maintain the truth, by walking in it with firmness and decision, like James, Cephas, and John, who, seemed to be pillars in their day, and especially like the Apostle Paul.
The Hooks and Fillets.
Ver. 10. The hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.] The hooks Were to receive the fillets, and the fillets, as the Hebrew word for fillet implies, were connecting rods. These silver rods connected the pillars together, and formed the rods on which the linen curtains hung.
The hooks and connecting rods were to be of silver, and silver is typical of' redemption; for the atonement money was in silver. (Ex. 30). And silver is also typical of communion; for it was the ordinary medium of circulation. And the hooks fixed in the pillars were always in readiness to receive the connecting rods.
Thus these pillars, standing in the brazen sockets, with their looks and connecting rods of silver, sustaining the curtains of fine twined linen, and forming together the court of the tabernacle, most strikingly and beautifully represent the people of God in their ordinary religious character, established and settled, walking in righteousness and holiness, always prepared' for, and constantly maintaining communion together, on the ground of their common redemption by the blood of the Lamb, in their intercourse' one with another, and in the presence of God.
And it is a sweet and happy thought, affording some consolation in the present state of things, that even now, in the outwardly divided condition of the Church of God, when Church fellowship with the majority 'of Christians may be sought in vain, we may still maintain communion and love in our intercourse one with another on the ground of our common redemption, by the same precious blood, and of our agreement together in the same fundamental truths of salvation.
The Length of the Court.
Ver. 11. And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.] One hundred cubits north and south. "Awake, O north wind, and come, thou south," is the language of the Bride in Sol. Sol. 4:1616Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. (Song of Solomon 4:16). Whether the chill north wind of adversity blows, or the genial south wind of prosperity breathes, there should be the same firm standing and decided walk, the same maintenance of righteousness and holiness, the same manifestation of Christ, and the same readiness for fellowship with all saints, on the ground of our common Christianity.
The Breadth of the Court.
Ver. 12. And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
13. And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
14. The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
15. And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
In length-namely, one hundred cubits-the court of the tabernacle was one-half the length of the outer court of Ezekiel's temple, which is two hundred cubits; and in breadth-namely, fifty cubits-half the breadth of the inner court of the temple, which is one hundred cubits.
The Gate of the Court.
Ver. 16. And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.]
The hanging for the door of the tent, and the vail, were both ten cubits by ten-one hundred cubits square; and the gate of the court twenty cubits by five-one hundred cubits square also; each representing Christ in different aspects:-The gate of the court being typical of Christ, by the faith of whom alone any really become Christians, and have a title to be regarded as such, and power in the Spirit for true fellowship in the Gospel. The door of the tent representing Christ, through whom alone there is access into the Church of God. And the vail representing him as the way by whom only there is access by faith into the holiest of all.
The Pillars of the Gate.
Ver. 16. Their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.] By these four pillars, corresponding with the four pillars which sustain the vail, are represented, I believe, the four divinely-inspired historians of the life of Jesus.
There are sonic differences, however, which are significant. The pillars of the vail have their hooks of gold, and their sockets of silver; while the pillars of the gate have their hooks of silver; and their sockets of brass. The hooks of gold being significant of a divinely-given ability for laying hold on and exhibiting the perfection of Immanuel, as the way of access by faith into the holiest and the sockets of silver significant of their standing in redemption. The hooks of silver, and the silver connecting rods of the pillars of the gate, expressive of a capacity for communicating the truth of Christ; and the sockets of brass, of decision and steadfastness.
It is interesting to trace in the four inspired histories of the " Word made flesh," the various beauties and perfections of Immanuel, as signified by the blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, composing the gate of the court.
In John's account, the blue, or heavenly perfection and glory of the Lord Jesus, is manifest.
In Mark, the purple, or the combination of heavenly perfectness with the earthly glory. And hence it is worthy of notice, that, in Mark 15:17,17And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, (Mark 15:17) the robe in. which, in mockery, Jesus was arrayed, is by the leading of the Spirit said to be of purple.
In Matthew, the earthly dignities of the Son of David, as typified by the scarlet, appear: and Matthew says, they "put on him a scarlet robe" (27: 28).
Whereas in Luke, the white, or pure and spotless, yet exquisitely-beautiful, humanity of the Son of Man, is prominent, as typified by the fine twined linen. And Luke says, they " arrayed him in a gorgeous robe."
Gorgeous, "Lampros," meaning also shining, resplendent, dazzling, white. Compare Acts x.-30, Rev. 15:6;19: 8,6And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. (Revelation 15:6) in the Greek.
Summary.
Ver. 17. All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.
18. The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the eight five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
19. All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.
All the pillars of the court were connected together by the silver rods, and all were furnished with hooks for attaching them: teaching us that all believers should maintain fellowship together in redemption-truth and brotherly love, and all be prepared for it as occasion presents.
All the pillars stood on sockets of brass; and all believers have need of enduring strength in Jesus, to maintain, in such a world as this, their religious character and standing.
All the vessels of the tabernacle for all the service of it, and even the pins of the tabernacle and court, were to be of brass; for the same enduring strength is needed for all manner of service, down to the minutest particulars, in work connected with the name of Jesus and the presence of God.
In Ex. 38:17,17And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. (Exodus 38:17) we also read, "The overlaying of their chapiters was of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver:" showing that the chapiters, or heads of the pillars, and the fillets, or connecting rods, are distinct; though both were of silver, and all formed out of the redemption money.
Ex. 38:28: "And of the thousand seven hundred and seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them."
The redemption which. is in Christ Jesus is not only the foundation of the Christian's faith, as shown by the silver sockets of the tabernacle: it is also the ground of Christian love and communion, as signified by the silver hooks and connecting rods. And it is also the crown and joy of the Christian's hope, as signified by the silver chapiters, or crowns of the pillars. His faith, his love, and his hope, having each its ground and center in Jesus, and in his atoning work. T. N.
[The Golden Altar in the Number for September.]