In a former chapter we quoted the main features of Israel’s camp, in imagination passing through the spacious outer court, through the first veil of the Tabernacle and to the door of the Most Holy. Now we must again take note of these matters, raising the question as to their meaning.
If there had been nothing more than those walls of linen surrounding the outer court, men of sceptical tendency might have supposed that they were merely a screen to prevent prying eyes from observing the priestly ceremonial. When a student takes note of all the details, it becomes clear that there was something much more than this involved. Within the court stood the Tabernacle where only the priests might go. At the door stood the laver where priests might wash and change their clothes. But there was increasing sanctity with respect to the Most Holy which could only be entered by the High Priest; and even he could enter only on one day in the year—the great Day of Atonement.
When we call to mind some of the recorded claims and commands of God, there emerges at least one idea too obvious to be resisted even by the rankest of unbelievers. It is the concept of righteousness, of separation, of cleansing and of holiness. The thought is expressed repeatedly in the books of Moses. We may take one injunction1 as an example of such language. “Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” The connection between this call to righteousness and the clothing of the priests in pure white linen is so evident as to need no argument. It can hardly be supposed that anyone would attempt to resist the conclusion that the fine linen, whether in garments or curtains, was emblematic of righteousness and separation.
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Author: Islip Collyer
Keywords: curtain, veil, holy of holies, tent of meeting, tabernacle, holy tabernacle, holy temple, most holy place, veil torn in two, veil rent in two, curtain rent in two, curtain torn in two
Bible reference(s): Exodus 26:2, Exodus 26:4, Exodus 26:5, Exodus 26:8, Exodus 26:9, Exodus 26:10, Exodus 26:12, Exodus 36:9, Exodus 36:11, Exodus 36:12, Exodus 36:15, Exodus 36:17, Numbers 3:26, Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45, Hebrews 6:19, Hebrews 9:3, Hebrews 10:20
Source: “The Law Given Through Moses (21),” The Testimony, Vol. 18, No. 213, September 1948, pp. 293-6.
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