Read: Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11
God gave Moses specific measurements for the curtains of the tabernacle that would be the wall around the outer court. It would be make in a way that could be taken apart and put back together easily. The tabernacle itself was to be covered first with rams’ skins dyed red to represent the blood of Jesus, then with badgers’ skins to represent our natural skin. We see our natural skin, but underneath we are covered with the blood of Jesus that can’t be seen with the natural eye.
The veil between the holy place and the most Holy Place where the ark would be put was make of blue, purple, and scarlet thread with cherubim on it. This was to show that when you entered into the presence of the Lord you were entering the realm of the heavens where angels and God was. Inside the Holy Place was the mercy seat with the two angels and the stone tablets of God’s testimony. We enter into God’s presence to receive mercy and he answers us according to his Word which is our testament of his promise to us.
The same veil would be put on the opening leading into the holy place so the people could see that when we enter into that place we are entering into another realm. In the holy place was the table of shewbread, the altar of incense and the menorah. The table of shewbread is the place where we come and dine with the Lord and eat his bread. We do this when we read his Word or when we commune with him in prayer. The altar of incense represents prayers we do for others. The menorah represents light and revelation we receive by the Holy Spirit to help us understand the things we read and the things we hear. Notice that the people were to bring their own oil to use to keep the menorah lit continually.
That leads us right into Matthew and the parable of the ten virgins. All ten of them were virgins who had access to oil. Oil comes from olives that have been beaten and pressed. Five of the virgins had lamps but no oil. They represent Christians who have the light but have not sacrificed anything for the gospel. They chose to live a safe worldly life. The ones with oil had allowed God to mold and shape them through adversity and suffering. They chose to give up their desires for God’s. You can’t give this to someone, they have to get it themselves. The foolish virgins missed out on Jesus’ coming to take them to the marriage (the rapture). Hopefully they will have oil when he returns the second time.
The second parable has to do with rewards. We have all been given talents and income. What we do with it for the kingdom determines what rewards we will get in the end.
Lord, help us to allow the Holy Spirit to mold and shape us into Your image, not our own.
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