Meaning of Exodus 36:14

Exodus 36:14 describes the creation of one of the protective layers of the Israelite Tabernacle, specifically the curtains made from goat hair. These curtains formed the outermost covering of the tent structure, serving as a crucial barrier against the elements and also as a symbolic representation of the community's offering and participation in the sacred dwelling place of God. The number eleven suggests a deliberate construction, likely with an overlap in the center for closure and protection, reflecting a meticulous and unified effort by the Israelites to build a dwelling for the divine presence among them.

Context and Background

This verse is situated within the detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary God commanded the Israelites to build in the wilderness (Exodus 25-31). Following God's pronouncements and the provision of materials, the narrative shifts to the actual execution of these divine blueprints by skilled artisans like Bezalel and Oholiab, and the entire community (Exodus 31:1-6, 35:10-19). Specifically, Exodus 36 details the construction of the Tabernacle's coverings. The goat hair curtains are described as the tent (Hebrew: ohel), indicating they were the primary, outermost covering of the entire sanctuary structure. This was the layer most exposed to the external environment.

Key Themes and Messages

• Community Participation and Offering: The construction of the Tabernacle, including these goat hair curtains, was a communal endeavor. The materials were offerings from the Israelites (Exodus 35:20-29). This highlights that the dwelling of God was built through the collective generosity and labor of His people.
• Protection and Dwelling: The primary function of the goat hair curtains was to provide a durable, protective outer layer for the sacred tent. This symbolizes God's desire to dwell among His people while also being protected from the harsh realities of the wilderness, and by extension, from the defilement of sin.
• Unity and Order: The specific number of curtains (eleven) and their arrangement (implied overlap) suggest a careful and ordered construction. This reflects the divine order and the need for unity within the community as they served God.
• Sacrifice and Atonement: Goat hair, particularly from goats, has associations with sacrifice and atonement in the Old Testament. While not explicitly stated here, the material choice might subtly allude to the sin-bearing and sacrificial nature that would later be fulfilled in Christ.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The goat hair curtains speak to God's desire to be present with humanity, even in imperfect and challenging circumstances. Their protective nature points to God's safeguarding of His people and His sacred space. The communal effort in building the Tabernacle serves as an enduring model for how believers are called to contribute to the building of God's spiritual house today. It emphasizes that the church, the new temple, is built by the unified efforts and offerings of all its members.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The Tabernacle, with its layers of coverings, prefigures theincarnation of Jesus Christ. Just as the goat hair curtains covered the inner sanctuary where God's glory dwelt, Jesus, God incarnate, walked among humanity, bearing the outer "covering" of human flesh. The sacrificial associations of goats in the Old Testament find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ's atoning sacrifice. The Tabernacle itself is a tangible representation of God's covenantal presence, a theme that is developed throughout the Old Testament and culminates in the New Testament with Jesus, Immanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

Analogies

• A Tent in the Wilderness: Imagine a sturdy, well-built tent designed to withstand wind and rain. The goat hair curtains were the outer canvas, providing robust shelter for the more precious inner furnishings and the sacred presence within.
• The Human Body: The body protects the vital organs. Similarly, these curtains protected the most sacred elements of the Tabernacle, representing God's presence.
• A Shield: The outer layer of the Tabernacle acted as a shield, guarding the holy presence of God from external disturbances.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 26:7: This verse immediately precedes Exodus 36:14 and describes the layer beneath the goat hair curtains: "Then you shall make curtains of fine linen, and of blue and purple and scarlet stuff; you shall make them with cherubim woven into them by a skilled workman." This establishes the hierarchy of coverings, with the goat hair being the outermost.
• Leviticus 1:4: "He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him." The use of animals, including goats, for atonement in Leviticus highlights the sacrificial dimension that the Tabernacle represented.
• John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." This New Testament verse directly echoes the concept of God dwelling among His people, a reality made possible through the incarnation of Jesus, the ultimate dwelling place of God.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" This verse extends the concept of God's dwelling from a physical structure to the community of believers, emphasizing the ongoing work of building God's spiritual house.