INTRODUCTION:

The Courtyard of The Wilderness Tabernacle will be today’s topic of study.  You may follow along in the scriptures found in Exodus, Chapter 27.

Thank you for joining this ongoing, chronological bible study called COME AS A CHILD.  If you missed the lesson for last week you may find it here:  https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/salt/.

THE PLANS FOR THE COURTYARD ARE COMMUNICATED TO MOSES

After instructing Moses on how to make the Altar of Burnt Offerings; God showed Moses how to create The Courtyard of The Wilderness Tabernacle.

GOD IS STILL INSTRUCTING MOSES FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Keep in mind that God was still showing things to Moses in the order that God always relates things to us; from the inside out.

A faithful follower of Christ learns to live this way; where the love inside his heart emanates outward into the world.  This is living “inside-out.”  It is the very way that Christ always lived His life while on this earth.  Living “inside-out” made Him the perfect sacrificial offering to atone for our sins.

THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH

The south side of the outer court fence was to be 100 cubits long.  It was to be made of curtains of finely twisted linen, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases that had silver hooks and bands on the posts.

The north side of the outer court was to be identical to the south side.

THE EAST AND THE WEST

The west side of the outer court was to be fifty cubits wide and made up of white linen curtains with ten posts and ten bases.

The east end of the outer court, toward the sunrise, was to be the same; except the east section would contain the only door of entry into the Sanctuary.

THE DOOR WAS ON THE EAST

The entrance door of the outer court was to be made of a curtain twenty cubits long colored with blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen; the work of an embroider – with four posts and four bases.

All of the posts around the courtyard were to have silver bands and hooks and bronze bases.

ALL OTHER ARTICLES OF THE COURTYARD WERE TO BE BRONZE

Every other article for the courtyard; including the tent pegs were to be made of bronze.

All of the above specifications describe what came to be called “the outer court.”

So basically this courtyard was oblong in shape and surrounded by a fence made of white linen cloth with one single door on the east side for entrance.

Once inside the fence one would see the Altar for Brunt offerings, followed by the bronze laver followed by the tent of meeting.

EVEN AFTER TRANSPORT; THE ENTRANCE TO THE TABERNACLE ALWAYS FACED EAST

Whenever it was set up, the tabernacle would always be situated from east to west with the entrance facing east.

ACCESS FOR THE COMMON MAN

The common man could go no further than this courtyard.

Access to the inside of the tabernacle was only available to the priest.

All through the scriptures though; we read of how God noted He desired that Israel become a holy nation; and a royal priesthood.  In the making of the wilderness tabernacle God began the first steps to making a way for man to safely approach Him and live in unison with Him.

The massive curtains making the wall that surrounded the outer court were long and the white curtains were all woven from fine, bright, white linen.  This plain white linen screen formed a barrier around the House of God.  It was obvious to anyone approaching that no one could enter that space casually.

THE BRIDE HAS MADE HERSELF READY

The white linen cloth wall symbolized righteousness and it is spoken of in The Book of Revelation where we hear of the wedding feast of Christ.  In this passage “The Bride has made herself ready.”  She is wearing fine white linen.

“And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelation 19:8)

THE PEGS OF BRONZE THAT SPEAK OF THE CRUCIFIXION

The tabernacle and the fence were held up by pegs of bronze that looked like huge nails.

These were driven into the ground and cords were attached to them.

They gave the strength and support needed to protect the tabernacle from the strong winds of the desert.

The bronze pegs are symbolic of the sacrifice of Christ.

The nails were driven into his hands and He was scourged by whips made of cord.

HIS SACRIFICE PROTECTS US FROM GOD’S WRATH

His sacrifice gave us the righteous covering that shelters us with strength and support.

He protects us within His Sanctuary away from the storms and winds of the world.

His offering of his innocent blood is what holds up the walls of the refuge of the Sanctuary.

The ground which the pegs are driven into speaks out of His innocence before God.  Remember how Cain slew innocent Abel and the ground called out to God of Abel’s innocence?  It does the same here; but speaks of Christ.

CHRIST IS THE DOOR, THE TRUTH AND THE WAY

Because of His sacred blood covering us; we may enter in through the only door on the east and worship. 

Christ is the door.

He is the only door of salvation.

He is the only way to gain access to God.

It is nothing that we have done ourselves; only through Christ may we enter the royally colored door and come closer to God.