Exodus 26:22

Make six frames for the rear of the tabernacle, the west side,

Study Bible

Make six frames for the rear of the tabernacle
The tabernacle was a portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert. The instruction to make six frames for the rear highlights the specific and detailed nature of God's commands for the construction of the tabernacle. Each frame was likely made of acacia wood, a durable material that was abundant in the Sinai region. The number six may symbolize human effort, as it is one less than seven, which often represents divine completeness in the Bible. The frames provided structural support, ensuring the tabernacle's stability and durability.

the west side
The west side of the tabernacle was significant because it was the direction opposite the entrance, which faced east. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, east was often associated with the rising sun and new beginnings, while the west could symbolize the end or completion. The west side being the rear of the tabernacle may indicate a place of finality or rest. Biblically, the west is sometimes associated with God's presence, as seen in the orientation of the Holy of Holies, which was located at the western end of the tabernacle. This positioning underscores the idea of moving towards God’s presence as one progresses from the entrance to the innermost sanctum.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the tabernacle from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary that the Israelites used during their journey in the wilderness, serving as a place of worship and the dwelling place of God among His people.

3. West Side of the Tabernacle
The specific location within the tabernacle structure where six frames were to be constructed, indicating the detailed and precise nature of God's instructions.

Teaching Points

God's Attention to Detail
The specific instructions for the tabernacle, including the six frames for the west side, highlight God's meticulous nature and His desire for order and precision in worship.

Symbolism of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle serves as a physical representation of God's presence among His people, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14).

Obedience in Worship
The Israelites' adherence to God's detailed instructions for the tabernacle construction underscores the importance of obedience in our worship practices today.

God's Dwelling with His People
The tabernacle signifies God's desire to dwell with His people, a theme that continues through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the detailed construction of the tabernacle reflect God's character, and what does this teach us about how we should approach worship today?

2. In what ways does the tabernacle foreshadow the coming of Christ and His work on earth?

3. How can we apply the principle of obedience seen in the construction of the tabernacle to our daily lives and spiritual practices?

4. What does the concept of God dwelling among His people in the tabernacle mean for us as believers who are now temples of the Holy Spirit?

5. How can understanding the Old Testament tabernacle enhance our appreciation of the New Testament teachings about Christ and the Church?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 25-31
These chapters provide the broader context of the tabernacle's construction, detailing God's specific instructions to Moses.

Hebrews 9
This New Testament passage reflects on the significance of the tabernacle as a foreshadowing of Christ's work and the heavenly sanctuary.

1 Corinthians 3:16
This verse connects the concept of the tabernacle as God's dwelling place to the believer's body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.