2.22.26 – Construction Materials

The list of materials for the Tabernacle includes three metals: gold, silver, and bronze. All of the furniture and fixtures in the Tabernacle were covered in either gold or bronze, and the structural boards were held up by silver sockets. Ironically, gold is connected to the Garden of Eden, the Pishon River, and Passover—which is coming soon (Gen. 2:11). Silver is directly linked to the redemptive wealth of Abraham (Gen. 13:2). Bronze, last but not least, is linked to judgment, war, and a hissing sound like a serpent (Gen. 4:22). Hence, it is used on the bronze altar and the bronze laver—places of judgment.

Regardless of what metal was used in the Tabernacle, it had to be mined at one point from the earth (adamah), smelted, with dross removed and purity obtained (Mal. 3:3). Currently, in today's world, these three metals are very valuable—two of them are stabilizing factors to the USD holding its value, and the other has value in functional uses.

Solomon knew the value of gold and silver when he compared them to wisdom and understanding—the first two spirits of the seven-branched lampstand (Isa. 11:1–2; Rev. 4:5–6; 1:20). What I have not told you, according to the wealthiest and wisest man in the world, is that wisdom (chokmah) and understanding (binah) are more valuable than gold and silver (Prov. 8:10, 19; 16:16; Ps. 119:127; Luke 12:21). It is the principal thing in life, and with all diligence we should strive to obtain it (Prov. 4:7). Therefore, it is important for us to know that these two attributes of the Spirit are costly—they do not come free—and they are essential for a glory-filled Tabernacle.

Most of us would be ecstatic to have a gold mine or a wonderful stash of silver coins. And most would do whatever it takes to get those two precious metals—ah, the pursuit of financial security in a turbulent market (John 6:27). Yet, we need to earn money to live in this modern era... ah, the wisdom and understanding needed for priorities!

When Solomon instructs his son concerning wisdom and understanding, he emphasizes the importance of putting in the effort to get the wisdom and understanding.

Most do not pursue wisdom and understanding until they have realized that money does not provide fullness, contentment, or total satisfaction. Gold, for most, is an illusion at the end of the rainbow.

In order to pursue wisdom (chokmah), we have got to engage ourselves with God's instructions through life's experiences and time in His Word with an attitude and readiness to receive His divine download at the right time, producing happiness, contentment, and excitement for the day's events... was that a run-on sentence? :-)

In our Shabbat morning Zoom call, we examined the materials of the Tabernacle structure and applied them deeply into our daily living. You will need your notepad and something to write for this one. Enjoy!
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TE_a8yFwO5spTI5h2A3dIJ4oLkFK8evucvMoxVT7NPc7NNHOIrccpcTG0FwJg_lq.5C_f7AibggpPOSyN

As you will learn in the Zoom video (or expand your understanding of the Tabernacle), each of the materials in the construction of the Tabernacle and its structure listed in Exodus (Shemot) 25 are given to us in order of descending value, but each is equally important to the overall structure. When it comes to the color of thread, with a little prompting, one's mind could easily recognize a pattern of the true versus the counterfeit.

The first mention of the color blue and purple in Scripture is here in the materials list for the Tabernacle (Ex. 25:4). Ironically, this is not the first time we see scarlet (Gen. 38:28, 30).

Knowing that everything Moses received from the Lord was after the heavenly pattern (Ex. 25:9; Heb. 8:5) will help us decipher the meaning of the colored threads:

  • Blue – the color of heaven and obedience

  • Purple – the color of regality and humility

  • Scarlet – the color of suffering and sin

Each of these three colors will be woven into the fine twined linen of the Tabernacle and its curtains (Ex. 26:1, 31; Rev. 19:7–8).

Yeshua, the Word made flesh who tabernacled among us (John 1:14), first descended from heaven (John 8:42) and lived His life with the regal title as the Son of God (Luke 3:22). Yet, His life was known for spending time to redeem the sinners of His day (Luke 7:34; 15:1). Consequently, because He did not fit the mold of what the people were looking for, He was hated and rejected (John 15:18, 25). And though He knew no sin, He became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:19–21). He humbled Himself and was obedient even to the point of death (Phil. 2:7–8); wherefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus/Yeshua every knee shall bow and every tongue confess in heaven and on earth (Phil. 2:9–10). Now He has ascended back to His Father, where He ever lives to intercede for us (Acts 1:8–9; Heb. 7:25).

Did you see the color pattern of the Tabernacle in the life of Yeshua? Blue. Purple. Scarlet. Purple. Blue.

In parallel fashion, God's people are born from above (Ex. 4:22; John 3:3, 7; 1 Pet. 1:23) to live under the authority of the Holy Spirit as a royal priesthood (Ex. 19:3–6; 1 Pet. 2:5–8; Rom. 8:14). As we identify with the Messiah Yeshua, we too will be persecuted and hated by men (Matt. 5:11; 10:22), only to be compensated in the age to come with positions of ruling and reigning with Yeshua (2 Tim. 2:12—and too many passages to include :-) in the place of our heavenly inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3–5).

Did you see the color pattern of the Tabernacle in our lives? Blue. Purple. Scarlet. Purple. Blue.

Let us take a moment to focus on the functional color of blue in the tassels worn by obedient men of God (Num. 15:38–39; Deut. 22:12–13; Matt. 9:20; 14:36).

There are a lot of differing opinions on how to tie and wear these tassels (tzitzit). What is not debatable is the reason to fulfill the commandment of wearing them: they are worn to remind ourselves to keep all the commandments of the Lord and not to go whoring after our own lusts, and through our obedience none of the diseases of Egypt will come upon us (Num. 15:39; Deut. 22:13; Deut. 7:15; 28:60). Hence, those who had to touch the tassels (tzitzit) of His garments to be healed (Matt. 9:20; 14:36).

They are identity markers, and those who wear them consciously are testifying, "I keep the commandments of God" (Num. 15:39), and they are not overly concerned with the persecution that comes from their obedient walk (Rev. 12:17; 14:12).

For those who identify with all three colors in the Tabernacle of their life, they live an obedient lifestyle to the commandments of God (blue) regardless of the suffering (scarlet), anticipating the overcomer promise of ruling and reigning in regality with the Messiah (purple) in the age to come (Luke 24:25–27; Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:6; 22:5).

Shalom,
Alan

Passover is coming! The winter months will be over soon. Don't let your heart get frozen, but let it be filled with anticipation of God's prophetic promises fulfilled!

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