Materials and Meanings. Exodus 25:3-8 The Tabernacle was a dwelling place for God among His people. The reality of God’s presence, the honor of His majesty, and the place of His meeting all reflected God’s glory. Instructions were given to Moses concerning the Tabernacle itself and how to carry out God’s plans for His glory. Instructions were also provided about the priesthood, as representatives of the people to God, and about who and how God’s instructions would be implemented.
When the Israelite slaves were freed from Egyptian bondage, they didn't leave empty-handed but were loaded with wealth. The Egyptians’ wealth accompanied them in large amounts of gold, silver, and brass. There were richly dyed skeins of thread and cloth, including the notable fine white Egyptian linen. The precious stones, and perhaps some spices, came from the Egyptians, who were eager for the Israelites to leave, fearing for their own survival.
When the Lord instructed Moses on building the Tabernacle, He listed the treasures people possessed that would reflect the value of the One they were gathered to and who dwelled among them. These materials held meaning for them, and the way each was used was meant to be significant. That significance shouldn't be overlooked by us, either.
The three metals used were deliberately chosen, not randomly, from all the metals found then and now. The word "gold" means "shimmering; yellow." The shimmering yellow of the sun has always inspired awe in mankind. Worship of the sun was quite common in the Middle East in ancient times. Men can be blinded by the sun's light, heat, and glory. Without the sun, all life would perish. It represents all that is divine. "The judgments (ordinances) of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Most to be desired are they than gold, yea, than fine gold" [Ps 19:10]. "Who being the brightness of His glory..." [Heb 3:1]. "The city was pure gold, like clear glass..." [Rev 21:18]. The deity of Christ and His eternal glory was temporarily veiled when He was here on earth. But that never changed the eternal nature of His being. He was, is, and always will be the Eternal God.
Silver was, and to a degree, still is, the metal used for coins. Before coins were made, silver pieces were used even in transactions where goods couldn't be exchanged directly. A piece of silver was used to represent and exchange labor for goods. In some cases, one piece of silver symbolized a day's labor. The silver used in specially designated places in the Tabernacle represented God's divine grace manifesting in redemption. The Israelites who worshipped had to give a half shekel (a weight measure) of silver when offering to the Lord [Ex.30:12-16]. The silver speaks to us of our Redeemer who made atonement for us. "We are not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold... but with the precious blood of Christ..." [1Pet 1:18-19].
The precious metals gold and silver melt when exposed to heat and flame, so brass was used in constructing the altar where there was always a perpetual fire. It was also used to make pins that hold the fence in place and clasps to fasten the goats' hair curtains. The laver used for cleansing was made of brass. Perhaps the mirror-like shine of the brass helped the priests ensure their cleansing was complete after washing.
We could not come to God if our judgment had not been passed, nor could we have fellowship with Him if the cleansing through confession of sin had not been addressed. The brass symbolizes divine righteous and holy judgment. The Lord Jesus "endured the cross" [Heb 12:2]; "Christ also hath once suffered for sin, the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God" [1Pet 2:24]. In His enduring strength, He bore all of God's righteous judgment against us.
The colorful threads used to make cloth also symbolize various qualities of the unseen God. Blue is the heavenly color that draws our attention to the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ and signifies that He is the Lord from heaven. The Hebrew word for "blue" means "perfection." The sapphire (blue) color beneath the feet of the "God of Israel" resembled "the body of heaven in his clearness" [Ex 24:10]. Jesus was the One who "came down from heaven" [Jn 3:13] and "is the Lord from heaven" [1Cor 15:47]. The blue represents God's love for humanity. Royal families in many countries wear purple to indicate their high status among the people [Es 8:15]. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. This truth will be openly revealed in the future, but it remains hidden from the eyes of unregenerate people today.
When combined, blue and scarlet create purple, symbolizing both heavenly and earthly glory. Scarlet immediately evokes the color of blood. Blood, in turn, signifies in the Tabernacle ceremonies the reality of sacrifice that demands a sinless life. The Hebrew word for "scarlet" means "the splendor of a worm," referring to a worm, “coccus ilicis,” and its eggs, from which the scarlet dye was derived. This worm attaches itself to the leaves of a plant, similar to a holly tree. Although the Lord Jesus was "found in fashion as a man," there was dignity and glory in "the man, Christ Jesus."
I have read that Egyptian linen was considered the highest quality. It was made from fine flax fibers and is unusually white. When tightly woven, it is sometimes mistaken for silk. When a person is dressed in white linen, it carries a special connotation of righteousness. White is almost universally seen as a symbol of purity. The perfect, righteous Mediator between God and man is "the man, Christ Jesus," who is "the propitiation for our sins" [1Jn.2:2]. He is "the righteousness of One" who grants His own people "imputed" righteousness—His own righteousness. Purity and righteousness define "Jesus Christ, the Righteous."
Other materials were used to cover the Tabernacle. “Goat's hair” came from long-haired goats with coarse black hair used to weave cloth for making tents. “Ram skins dyed red” resembled Morocco leather when the wool was removed. “Badgers' skins” were probably from dolphins or sea cows (dugongs). Sea cows are mammals similar in size and shape to manatees. They live in the Red Sea and can grow up to fifteen feet long and weigh around 1,500 pounds. The under skin is still used to make “name brand” sandals, and Bedouins use the upper skin for their tents.
Prophets often wore goats' hair as a garment to set themselves apart from those they prophesied to. It signified that, through the death of an innocent substitute, we are dedicated to God. Sin has been removed. Christ, the spotless One, accomplished this work. The skins were fastened together by brass clasps. The symbolism teaches us that judgment has created the foundation for unity among God's people. This truth is visible only to God's eyes. The red-dyed rams' skins remind us that the One who was "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross," was committed to doing the Father's will. Because of this, we have been consecrated to God. Only God can see the reality of that consecration.
The free-will offerings of metal, fabric, and material gifts were given willingly by the Israelites. There were no known consequences for holding back from giving. Those who appreciated God and the deliverance they experienced wanted the beautiful Tabernacle as a symbol of His presence with them. Their offerings of their goods as a sacrifice would have been a way to express thanks and praise to the Lord. Our free-will offerings are for the same reason. Salvation by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that such sacrifices are for the same reason in both the Old and New Testaments.
The grey-colored badger skins would be the only outward sign that people could see of the Tabernacle. They could see the fence that separated them from entering into God's presence and would notice the badger skins above the top of the fence. They could only see the Tabernacle if they entered through the one gate—the only way in. The world's view of Christ and His people is that we are colorless and unattractive. "There is no form nor comeliness..." was written about Him. The pilgrim character of God's people is all the eyes can see of those without faith in God. Most only want to see outward glory, so great structures have been built with spires pointing to heaven to attract the flesh.
A special type of wood grows in the harsh desert climate. Acacia (shittim) wood is tough and durable because it comes from a "root out of a dry ground." Insects cannot make holes in it. Even though it was all going to be covered with gold, it was important that the wood's nature be incorruptible by the effects of passing time or any insects that might try to claim it.
The Lord's holy humanity was visible externally in His life on earth, but there was also the profound truth that nothing within His nature was corruptible. "He did no sin," "He knew no sin," "In Him was no sin." Through the blessing of the divine nature given to us, God's saints are endowed with an incorruptible new nature.
The oil for the lampstand gave off light that would never go out. The Holy Spirit generates power in testimony, which is consistent and continual, not hit-or-miss. Pure olive oil served as the base for the anointing oil [Ex.30:23-24]. Myrrh was made from balsam sap, cinnamon from the tree similar to a laurel, calamus from the root of a specific reed, and cassia from the dried flowers of cinnamon.
The spices people brought testify to the many graces of the Holy Spirit and the beauty of the Lord Jesus's character. These spices would fill the burning oil with fragrance. For us, that produces light outwardly and joy inwardly as we learn more about our Lord Jesus Christ each day. The many precious stones, the onyx for engraving and the colorful ones for identification, remind us of Christ's perfections and moral glories that are so meaningful to us. "We are accepted in the Beloved." Those symbols of God's people were always on the high priest's body when he performed God's work or was in God's presence. How close and personal is our relationship with our Lord as He intercedes for us before God!