Exodus 26:33 – “Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
Exodus 26:33 gives specific instructions about how the tabernacle’s inner structure should be arranged. This verse focuses on the placement of the curtain and the Ark of the Covenant. The curtain, also known as the veil, was to be hung from clasps and used to divide the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, also known as the Holy of Holies. The Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the law given to Moses, was to be placed behind this curtain, in the Most Holy Place.
The curtain served as a physical and symbolic barrier between God’s holy presence and the people. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This separation underscored the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, showing that direct access to God was limited under the Old Covenant.
Historical Context
The tabernacle was the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It was the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God’s presence among His people. The construction and arrangement of the tabernacle followed detailed instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. These instructions were highly specific because the tabernacle was not just a place of worship but also a symbolic representation of God’s relationship with His people.
In the ancient world, sacred spaces were often divided into sections, with increasingly restricted access as one moved closer to the most sacred area. The Most Holy Place in the tabernacle represented the most intimate space where God’s presence was said to dwell, and only the high priest could enter it, signifying the need for mediation between God and humanity.
Theological Implications
Exodus 26:33 emphasizes the concept of separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. The curtain represented a barrier that sin had created, preventing people from directly accessing God’s presence. This separation was necessary because God’s holiness could not coexist with sin. The curtain’s placement reinforced the idea that while God desired to dwell among His people, His holiness required that they approach Him with reverence and through the proper means of atonement.
This verse also points to the need for a mediator who could bridge the gap between God and humanity. In the Old Testament, the high priest served this role, entering the Most Holy Place on behalf of the people. However, this system was incomplete and pointed forward to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who would remove the barrier between God and humanity through His sacrificial death.
Literary Analysis
This verse is part of a detailed description of the tabernacle’s construction in Exodus. The careful instructions about where to place the curtain and the Ark of the Covenant contribute to the overall theme of order, holiness, and separation in the passage. The imagery of the curtain, with its function of dividing the sacred space, reinforces the idea of God’s holiness and the structured approach that the Israelites were required to take in their worship.
The placement of the Ark of the Covenant behind the curtain in the Most Holy Place highlights the significance of this space as the dwelling place of God’s presence and the central focus of Israel’s worship. The curtain, therefore, serves as both a protective barrier and a symbol of the distance between God and humanity that had to be respected under the Old Covenant.
Biblical Cross-References
- Hebrews 9:7 – This verse explains that only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year, highlighting the exclusivity and significance of this area in the tabernacle.
- Matthew 27:51 – At the moment of Jesus’ death, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity through Christ’s sacrifice.
- Hebrews 10:19-20 – This passage speaks of the confidence believers now have to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, through the new and living way opened for us through the curtain, symbolizing His body.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christians, Exodus 26:33 serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the significance of the separation that once existed between God and humanity due to sin. The curtain in the tabernacle represented the barrier that sin had created, preventing direct access to God’s presence. This verse challenges us to reflect on the seriousness of sin and the need for reverence in our approach to God.
However, this verse also points to the hope we now have in Jesus Christ. The tearing of the temple curtain at the moment of Jesus’ death symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we now have direct access to God’s presence, and the separation that once existed has been removed. This access is a precious gift that should be cherished and approached with gratitude and reverence.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse reflects God’s love in His desire to dwell among His people while also protecting them from the consequences of sin. The detailed instructions for the placement of the curtain and the Ark of the Covenant show God’s care in ensuring that His holiness was respected and that His people were not harmed by His presence. God’s love is evident in His provision of a way for the Israelites to approach Him, even though it was limited under the Old Covenant.
The eventual removal of this barrier through Jesus Christ further demonstrates God’s love. By sending His Son to die for our sins, God provided a way for the separation between Him and humanity to be removed, allowing us to enter into a direct and personal relationship with Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
The curtain in the tabernacle ultimately points to Jesus Christ, who is the true mediator between God and humanity. The barrier that the curtain represented was torn down through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. As Matthew 27:51 describes, the curtain of the temple was torn in two at the moment of Jesus’ death, symbolizing that through Christ, we now have direct access to God.
Through Jesus, the separation between God and humanity has been removed, and we are now invited to approach God with confidence, knowing that we are covered by the righteousness of Christ. Jesus is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system and the ultimate mediator who provides us with full access to God’s presence.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does the instruction to place the curtain in the tabernacle remind you of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin?
- In what ways can you ensure that your approach to God reflects the reverence and respect symbolized by the curtain in the tabernacle?
- How does understanding the significance of the curtain’s role in the tabernacle deepen your appreciation for the access we now have to God through Jesus Christ?
- What barriers in your own life might be preventing you from fully experiencing God’s presence, and how can you address them?
- How can you apply the principles of holiness and reverence in your daily walk with Christ, ensuring that your life reflects the access and relationship you now have with God through Jesus?