Meaning of Exodus 36:37

This verse describes the intricate and laboriously crafted curtain that served as the entrance to the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary of God in the wilderness. The materials – blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, along with finely twisted linen – were not merely decorative but symbolic, representing different aspects of divine presence and redemption. The mention of the work of an "embroiderer" emphasizes the skill and dedication invested in this crucial boundary, highlighting that even the access to God's dwelling was to be approached with artistry and meticulous care, reflecting the holiness and preciousness of the divine presence within.

Context and Background

Exodus 36:37 is part of the detailed instructions and descriptions of the construction of the Tabernacle, following God's commands given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-31). This chapter specifically details the execution of the work by skilled artisans, particularly Bezalel and Oholiab, who were divinely empowered for this task. The curtain of the entrance, often referred to as the veil or screen of the doorway, was the outermost layer separating the sacred space of the Tabernacle from the surrounding wilderness, and by extension, from the unholy. It demarcated the boundary between the realm of God and the realm of humanity.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Presence and Holiness: The Tabernacle was God's dwelling place among His people. The elaborate construction and the specific materials used underscore the holiness and majesty of God, requiring a carefully designed and consecrated entrance.
• Separation and Access: The curtain served as a physical barrier, signifying the separation between God and sinful humanity. However, it also represented a controlled and divinely appointed means of access into His presence.
• Skilled Labor and Dedication: The phrase "the work of an embroiderer" highlights the importance of craftsmanship and dedication in serving God. This was not a haphazard construction but a deliberate and artful endeavor, reflecting the value placed on God's dwelling.
• Symbolism of Colors: The colors themselves carry significant theological weight:
  • Blue: Often associated with the heavens, the divine, and God's faithfulness.
  • Purple: Symbolized royalty, authority, and wealth, pointing to God's kingly dominion.
  • Scarlet (or Crimson): Typically represents blood, sacrifice, and redemption, foreshadowing the atoning work necessary for reconciliation.
  • Finely twisted linen: Represents purity, righteousness, and the unblemished nature required for approaching God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this curtain is a powerful metaphor for the mediation required to approach a holy God. Humanity, in its fallen state, cannot directly enter God's presence. The elaborate and symbolic entrance points to the need for a divinely sanctioned way, a bridge that overcomes the chasm of sin. The meticulous craftsmanship suggests that our approach to God should be characterized by reverence, purity, and an understanding of the sacrifice that makes access possible.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This curtain is a precursor and foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ultimate High Priest who tears down the veil between God and humanity. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this, explaining that the earthly Tabernacle and its rituals were a shadow of heavenly realities, with Christ being the substance. The entrance curtain, therefore, symbolically represents the barrier that Christ's sacrifice would ultimately remove, opening a new and living way into the very presence of God.

Analogies

One analogy for this curtain could be the sealed entrance to a sovereign's royal palace. While the palace is magnificent and holds immense treasure, its gates are guarded and accessible only through specific protocols and by invitation, reflecting the king's authority and the sanctity of his domain. Another analogy is a carefully constructed dam holding back a powerful force; it controls the flow and allows for regulated access, preventing overwhelming inundation.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 26:36: This verse immediately precedes Exodus 36:37 and describes the curtain for the door of the tent, which was the main entrance. The verse in question (36:37) likely refers to this same curtain or a similar one for the entrance.
• Leviticus 16:2, 12-13: These verses describe the High Priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement, passing through multiple veils, underscoring the restricted access to God's immediate presence.
• Hebrews 9:3-5: This passage in Hebrews describes the Holy of Holies and the veil separating it from the Holy Place, directly linking these Old Testament structures to their spiritual fulfillment in Christ.
• Hebrews 10:19-22: This is a crucial New Testament passage that directly connects the tearing of the temple veil at Christ's crucifixion to believers having "boldness to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh."
• John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse speaks of God dwelling among humanity, a theme initiated by the Tabernacle and ultimately realized in Jesus.