Hangings of fine twined linen enclosed this court (Ex. 27:9-19). In the order in which these things are revealed to us, the court made the third division of the tabernacle. First came the “holy of holies” — the innermost room — next the “holy place,” and now “the court.” It was one hundred cubits long and fifty cubits broad. There were twenty pillars on each side, and ten on each end. The east end, at which the entrance was placed, had three pillars on each side of the gate, and four for the gate — sixty pillars in all. On fifty-six of these pillars were hangings of fine twined linen, and on the four for the gate, the hangings were the same as those for the door. That which enclosed this sanctuary of God would thus speak of the purity of Christ. And the bright and beautiful hangings of the gate would convey the thought that all who would approach must draw near in the sense of what was becoming to God. He had provided but one entrance, and that of such character as to speak of the glories and beauties of Christ. Many seek to climb up some other way rather than by entering through Christ, the Door that God has opened for those who will to enter. But such will never enter the courts above; they will fall back, baffled in their useless attempts. Over the gate which entered the court might be written, “I am the way”; over the door into the holy place, “I am the door”; over the veil which led to “the holiest,” “the new and living way.” The very common expression that all denominations are but different ways to heaven, will not stand the test of Scripture, for Jesus says, “I am the way... no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).
An ecclesiastical position, whether right or wrong, can never be a way to heaven. Christ is the way. God will have no entrance but through His Son. This is typified in the one entrance to the tabernacle.
Sockets, Fillets, Chapiters
Other blessed and important thoughts are given us in the sockets, fillets, chapiters, pins, and cords, though we will not attempt to enter into all these details. The sockets were of brass so that at the base, all around the court, was found the mark of God in righteousness, testing man. While the knowledge of this would be necessary in approaching God, fear would be removed when the one who entered would look upon the silver fillets, chapiters, and hooks, which would speak of redemption. (Ex. 38:28.) All God’s righteous testing was fully met in redemption. How blessed! God has come to man, revealing Himself in Christ, and now man can approach God through Christ.
Pins and Cords
The pins and cords also have a voice: they were used to hold the boards of the tabernacle, and the pillars of the court, in position (Ex. 27:19). Looking at the boards and pillars as symbols of all Christians, the pins and cords would picture to us that needful word, “Kept by the power of God” (1 Pet. 1:5). How could these boards or pillars stand without the cords? And how could the Christian stand in a difficult position, tempted from without and tempted from within, were he not kept by the power of God! But while kept of God, there is also a responsibility on the part of the Christian which must not be overlooked, though not prefigured in the pins and cords. God’s Word is given to be the guide; and walking in the light of it the believer can say with the Psalmist, “By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer” (Psa. 17:4).