Christ in the Old Testament

Exodus 26:33

The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Exodus 26:31-37

Now that the structure is built, God gives Moses instructions to create two curtains that will define the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place inside the temple. Let’s look at these two rooms today and how they point to Jesus.

As we saw yesterday, the frame of the temple form three sides of the temple leaving the east side of the temple open. The NIV translation of Exodus 26:36 says, “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.” The Hebrew word for entrance is petaḥ which can mean entrance or door. The American Standard Version translates this verse saying, “make a screen for the door of the Tent.”

I want to point out that this curtain is described by God as the entrance or a door with a screen. The description of the other curtain that God tells Moses to make isn’t described as an entrance or a door. Exodus 26:33 says of this curtain that it “will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.” This curtain is described as a separation or veil. So let’s contrast these two curtains – one being the door and the other being the veil.

• The door provided access to the Holy Place where the priests would fellowship and commune with God. The veil provided access to Holy of Holies where the priest would worship God.
• The door was a curtain made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen. The veil was made of the same material with the addition of cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker.
• The door was held up by five posts whereas the veil was held up by only four posts.
• The door was set in bronze or brass bases for support whereas the veil was set in silver bases.

These were clearly similar curtains designed for two very different purposes – one an entrance to invite people in and the other a barrier to keep people out. The Holy Place was a place for all priests to come and fellowship with God. However, the Most Holy Place was restricted because God’s presence dwelled there. Sinful man could not enter the Most Holy Place except on the Day of Atonement with the appropriate offering.

Hebrews 10:19-20 says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.” The veil is Jesus’ body. Jesus’ blood was the appropriate offering. At Jesus’ death, the veil was torn and the barrier to God was removed. Now we can all enter the presence of God with confidence.

Silver is symbolic of redemption. The veil is set in silver representing Jesus’ body that was sacrificed to redeem us and provide access to God for everyone who calls him Lord. We should be thankful that we no longer have to stay on this side of the veil.

Today’s Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice so that I could have access to the Creator of the Universe.