The hangings for the gate of the court were the same as those for the door of the tabernacle. They were of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. We have noticed before that these colors speak to us of the glories of Christ. The sinner cannot see any beauty in Him, like one looking at the white hangings of the court, but the moment he feels his need and comes to Christ, the true Door, his eyes are opened and he sees something of His beauty. As he enters he sees infinitely more; but he must enter first, and that by the only way of entrance, the door.
The Oil
Our chapter closes with the command to the children of Israel that they bring beaten olive oil to be used in the seven-branched candlestick. It was always to be burning and must be attended to every morning and every evening. Oil is used in the Scripture to speak to us of the Holy Spirit of God, and therefore how important it was that there should always be oil to keep this great lamp burning. There can be no testimony in our lives apart from the Spirit of God who is the power for it.
Undoubtedly there is a good reason why the instruction to bring the oil comes in just here, long after the description of the candlestick itself. Perhaps it is because there is always a danger of getting truth into our heads and knowing so much theory that we can answer every question, and yet have very little testimony for Christ that may be seen in our lives. It would be like the beautiful candlestick without any oil. May we, who have learned something of the beauty of all these wonderful pieces of furniture in the tabernacle, remember that it is only in the measure in which they have been made good in our hearts by the Spirit of God that there will be any light and testimony in our lives for Christ. As the children of Israel needed diligence to be sure that there was enough oil for every morning and evening, so we need the daily reading of the Word and prayer that our souls may be kept in communion by the Spirit day by day.
The Garments of the Priests
Now we come to the garments for Aaron and his sons. Aaron was the high priest and his sons were priests. Aaron was a type of the Lord Jesus, our great High Priest, and his sons were types of all believers, who are now priests. Perhaps some of our young readers may wonder why there were only certain men chosen as priests in those days. Not every Israelite was a priest; only Aaron and his descendants had that privilege.
We know that the tabernacle with all its furniture and ritual was only “a shadow of good things to come” (Heb. 10:11For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (Hebrews 10:1)). The way into the presence of God could not be known until the Lord Jesus had died, risen, and ascended to God’s right hand. Now the Spirit of God has come down to bear witness to Christ’s finished work, and to teach every believer that he has a place of nearness. Yes, every believer is now a priest, and can draw near to God and offer up his spiritual sacrifices, assured that they are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)). How blessed it is to be in the liberty of this place, and to know that the “shadow of good things to come” (Heb. 10:11For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (Hebrews 10:1)) has been replaced by the “good things” themselves. Although we know that some people still look up to a certain class of men as priests, let us be careful that we do not deny Christ’s finished work in this way.
Further Meditation
1. What does oil represent in the Bible?
2. How can we offer up spiritual sacrifices to God today?
3. Tabernacle Print: The High Priest is a simple 5” x 7” illustration that will really help in following along with each part of the High Priest’s garments.