Exodus 26:15 - Meaning and Application

Here God gives very exact directions about the boards of the tabernacle, which were to hold up the curtains, like the strong stakes of a tent (Isaiah 54:2). These boards had tenons, or projecting ends, that fit into sockets made for them in silver bases. God made sure that everything in his tabernacle was strong as well as beautiful.

Curtains without boards would have been blown about by every wind. In the same way, it is a good thing for the heart to be established by grace, meaning made firm by God’s help. That inner strength supports the outward “curtains” of our profession of faith, which will not last long without it. The boards were joined together with gold rings at the top and bottom (Exodus 26:24), and kept steady with bars passing through golden rings in each board (Exodus 26:26). The boards and bars were all covered with gold (Exodus 26:29).

So everything in the tabernacle was rich and splendid. That suited the early, childlike state of the church, when such outward beauty was fitting to draw the worshipers’ minds to God’s glory and to impress them with the greatness of the King who said, “Here I will dwell.” In that same spirit, the new Jerusalem is described as being made of pure gold (Revelation 21:18). But the builders of the gospel church said, “Silver and gold I do not have,” and yet the glory of their work was far greater than the tabernacle’s (2 Corinthians 3:10, 3:11). How much better wisdom is than gold!

No directions are given here about the floor of the tabernacle. It was likely boarded as well, because we can hardly think that people walked on cold or wet ground under all those fine curtains. If it was left as earth, that may remind us of God’s command, “Make an altar of earth for me” (Exodus 20:24).