Exodus 26:7 - Meaning and Application

Moses is told here to make a double covering for the tabernacle, so rain would not get in and the beauty of the fine curtains would not be damaged. The first covering was to be made of goats’ hair curtains, which were somewhat larger in every direction than the inner curtains because they were meant to cover them and probably hang a little apart from them (Exodus 26:7). These curtains were joined together with bronze clasps. The material was less valuable, so the clasps were too, but bronze clasps would work just as well as gold ones.

The bond of unity can be just as strong between curtains of goats’ hair as between curtains of purple and scarlet. Over this there was to be another covering, and in fact a double one (Exodus 26:14), one layer of rams’ skins dyed red, probably with the wool still on, and another layer of what we call badgers’ skins. That may not be the best translation, and it was likely some strong but fine leather, because the best kind of shoes were made from it (Ezekiel 16:10).

Notice two things here. First, the outside of the tabernacle was plain and rough, while its beauty was inside. Those in whom God lives should seek to be better than they appear. Hypocrites put their best side outward, like whitewashed tombs. But the king’s daughter is all glorious within (Psalm 45:13). In the eyes of the world, she may look like the tents of Kedar, dark and plain, but in God’s eyes she is lovely like the curtains of Solomon (Song of Solomon 1:5). Let our beauty be the hidden person of the heart, which God values (1 Peter 3:4).

Second, wherever God places his glory, he also provides protection for it. Even the homes of the righteous will have a covering (Isaiah 4:5, 6). God’s care will always guard the beauty of holiness. His tent will be a sheltering pavilion (Psalm 27:5).