Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Exodus Ch.26 / 40 Ch.s
EX:26
* The curtains of the tabernacle. (1-6) The curtains of goats'
hair. (7-14) The boards, sockets, and bars. (15-30) The vail of
the holy of holies, and for the entrance. (31-37)
#1-6 God manifested his presence among the Israelites in a
tabernacle or tent, because of their condition in the
wilderness. God suits the tokens of his favour, and the gifts of
his grace, to his people's state and wants. The curtains of the
tabernacle were to be very rich. They were to be embroidered
with cherubim, signifying that the angels of God pitch their
tents round about the church, #Ps 34:7|.
#7-14 The curtains of meaner materials, being made both longer
and broader, covered the others, and were defended by coverings
of skins. The whole represents the person and doctrine of
Christ, and the church of true Christians, and all heavenly
things, which outwardly are mean, but inwardly, and in the sight
of God, are glorious and precious.
#15-30 The sockets of silver each weighed about 115 pounds; they
were placed in rows on the ground. In every pair of these
sockets, a strong board of shittim-wood, covered with plates of
gold, was fitted by mortises and tenons. Thus walls were formed
for the two sides, and for the west end. The wall was further
held together by bars, which passed through rings of gold. Over
this the curtains were spread. Though movable, it was strong and
firm. The materials were very costly. In all this it was a type
of the church of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone,
#Eph 2:20,21|.
#31-37 A vail, or curtain, separated the holy place from the
most holy place. It was hung upon pillars. This vail was for a
partition between the holy place and the most holy; which
forbade any to look into the holiest of all. The apostle tells
what was the meaning of this vail, #Heb 9:8|. That the
ceremonial law could not make the comers thereunto perfect, nor
would the observance of it bring men to heaven; the way into the
holiest of all was not made manifest, while the first tabernacle
was standing. Life and immortality lay hidden till they were
brought to light by the gospel; which was signified by the
rending of this vail at the death of Christ, #Mt 27:51|. We have
now boldness to enter into the holiest, in all acts of worship,
by the blood of Jesus; yet such as obliges us to holy reverence.
Another vail was for the outer door of the tabernacle. This vail
was all the defence the tabernacle had. God takes care of his
church on earth. A curtain shall be, if God please to make it
so, as strong a defence to his house, as gates of brass and bars
of iron. With this typical description of Christ and his church
before us, what is our judgment of these matters? Do we see any
glory in the person of Christ? any excellence in his character?
any thing precious in his salvation? or any wisdom in the
doctrine of the cross? Will our religion bear examination? and
are we more careful to approve our hearts to God than our
characters toward men?