Unpacking Exodus 36:35-38: Holy Space, Sacred Design

Context of the Tabernacle Furnishings

These verses come at a moment when the Israelites, freshly delivered from Egypt, are building the tabernacle exactly as God instructed, showing their commitment to worship Him in the way He prescribed.

The section of laws in Exodus 25 - 31 outlines how the tabernacle was to be constructed as a portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people. In Exodus 36, the people carry out those instructions with careful obedience, showing that holiness involves more than rules; it honors God’s presence through precise, reverent work.

The veil and screen, made with skill and rich materials, marked sacred spaces - separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place and guarding the entrance - so that approaching God would always be done with awe and order.

Symbolism in the Veil and Screen: Design, Materials, and Meaning

The detailed craftsmanship of the veil and screen was about more than beauty; it conveyed deep spiritual meaning about God's holiness and His desire to dwell among His people.

The blue, purple, and scarlet yarns were not random choices. These colors were expensive and rare, showing that worshiping God was worth the highest cost. Blue likely symbolized heaven, purple pointed to royalty, and scarlet may have recalled life and sacrifice, together painting a picture of a divine King dwelling among His people. The cherubim woven into the veil - angelic beings who guard God's holiness - were also seen in visions like Ezekiel's throne (Ezekiel 10:1-22) and later in Revelation 4:8, reminding us that God's presence is surrounded by awe and power.

The gold-covered pillars at the entrance had hooks and capitals of gold, symbolizing divine glory and value, while their bases were made of bronze, a durable metal associated with judgment and sacrifice - like the bronze altar in Exodus 27:1. This mix shows that access to God required both reverence and atonement. In contrast, the inner veil’s full gold elements reflected the increasing holiness as one moved closer to God’s presence.

Unlike other ancient religions where temples were built to manipulate the gods, Israel’s tabernacle was built by God’s exact instructions to reflect His character. This wasn’t about magic or control - it was about relationship on His terms. The care in materials and design showed that how we approach God matters as much as the act of approaching Him.

The veil wasn't just fabric - it was a sacred boundary, woven with meaning, reminding everyone that God is holy and near, yet not to be approached casually.

These details point forward to a time when the veil would be torn in two when Jesus died on the cross, as recorded in Matthew 27:51: 'And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.' That moment signaled that through Jesus, the barrier between God and humanity was removed, making a new and living way for everyone to draw near.

The Holiness of God and the Way to Draw Near

The veil and screen were not merely to keep people out; they demonstrate how seriously God takes holiness and that He alone opens the way for us to come near.

When Jesus died on the cross, Matthew 27:51 records, 'And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.' That tear was more than a dramatic moment - it signified that the old barriers were gone. Now, because of Jesus, we don’t need a priest or a perfect tabernacle to approach God.

The book of Hebrews says Jesus is our great high priest who entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of animals, but by His own blood (Hebrews 9:12). So no, Christians don’t follow these laws literally - because Jesus fulfilled them completely, making a new and living way for everyone to draw near to God with confidence.

The Torn Veil and the Open Door: Access to God Through Christ

Now that the veil has been torn and the way to God is open, we can approach Him with confidence, not by following rules, but through the finished work of Jesus.

Hebrews 10:19-20 says, 'Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.' This shows that the old barrier is gone, not removed by human hands, but torn by God’s power through Christ’s sacrifice. And when Jesus said in John 14:6, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,' He was declaring Himself to be the true entrance screen - the only way into God’s presence.

So the timeless heart of this law is this: God has always guarded access to Himself, but now He has opened the door wide through Jesus, and our response is to walk through it with faith and gratitude.

Application