Exodus 39:34

Context of Exodus 39:34

Exodus 39 details the culmination of the construction of the Tabernacle and its priestly garments, meticulously following the divine blueprint given to Moses on Mount Sinai. This verse specifically describes the final items brought before Moses for inspection: the various coverings that protected the sacred tent. The entire chapter emphasizes the Israelites' strict adherence to God's precise instructions, a recurring theme throughout the Tabernacle's construction narrative.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Blueprint and Obedience: The repeated phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" (found throughout Exodus 39) underscores the paramount importance of strict obedience to God's will. Every detail, down to the specific materials and their arrangement, was divinely ordained, highlighting God's sovereignty and the necessity of human faithfulness in carrying out His commands.
• Protection and Sanctity: The various layers of coverings served to protect the holy space within the Tabernacle from the elements, but also symbolically emphasized the sacredness and set-apart nature of God's dwelling place among His people. These coverings created a barrier, signifying the holiness of God and the need for reverence in His presence.
• Symbolism of Materials: Each material chosen for the Tabernacle had a specific purpose and often a symbolic meaning, contributing to the rich tapestry of Old Testament worship and foreshadowing.

Linguistic Insights

• "rams' skins dyed red" (Hebrew: orot elim me'addamim): This refers to the second innermost layer of the Tabernacle's four coverings. The ram was a common sacrificial animal, and the color red often symbolizes blood, sacrifice, and atonement. Its presence here might subtly point to the sacrificial system necessary for humanity to approach a holy God.
• "badgers' skins" (Hebrew: orot tachash): This was the outermost and most durable covering. The exact identity of the tachash is debated; translations vary from "porpoise skins," "dugong skins," to a type of fine, durable leather. Regardless of the precise animal, its key characteristic was its ability to withstand harsh weather, providing robust protection against rain, sun, and sand for the portable sanctuary in the wilderness. This layer was primarily functional, offering resilience and protection to the sacred contents within.
• "and the vail of the covering": This phrase, in the context of the Tabernacle's external coverings, likely refers to the overall structure of the coverings, or perhaps the final arrangement of the outermost layer, rather than the inner veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (which is mentioned separately in Exodus 26:31). It signifies the completion of the Tabernacle's protective shell.

Practical Application

Exodus 39:34, though a highly detailed verse about ancient construction, offers timeless lessons. It reminds us that God cares about the details, and our faithfulness in small matters is as important as in large ones. Just as the Tabernacle's coverings provided protection and marked it as holy, believers are called to be set apart and protected by God's grace. This commitment to God's design, seen in the Tabernacle, prefigures the New Testament understanding of believers as temples of the Holy Spirit, called to live in purity and obedience, protected by God's provision.