Exodus

Exodus 26: God sets the way near

Begin in prayer

Before the veil divides the rooms of God’s dwelling, let us ask Him to teach us holy reverence. Pray that we will understand our need for Christ and receive the access His sacrifice provides.

Exalt Yahweh our God. Worship at his footstool. He is Holy!

Psalm 99:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us see Your holiness in the dwelling You commanded. Show us Jesus and the way near that His blood secures. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God commands curtains of fine linen with cherubim, joined by gold clasps into one tabernacle. Goats' hair curtains and coverings of skins go over the tent. Upright acacia boards, silver sockets and gold-covered bars give the dwelling its structure. Everything must follow the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain. A veil separates the holy place from the most holy place, where the ark and mercy seat will stand. The table and lampstand remain outside the veil, and a separate screen forms the tent’s entrance.

As you read Exodus 26, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives His people a holy dwelling and sets the way of approach.

The dwelling is made for people who must travel, with curtains and frames that can be assembled and carried. Fine linen with cherubim forms the inner work, while goats' hair and skins provide coverings over it. Loops and clasps join separate curtains into one tent. Boards resting in silver sockets and held by bars give that cloth dwelling a firm structure. The plan turns from its outer construction to the veil dividing the rooms. The ark and mercy seat stand in the most holy place, with the table and lampstand outside the veil. God dwells among His people, yet this inner boundary teaches that access is restricted. Hebrews explains the way into God’s presence through the blood and flesh of Jesus (Hebrews 10 verses 19 and 20). The sanctuary’s beauty and its barrier both direct the leader toward the holiness and mercy fulfilled in Him.

How does Exodus 26 show us that God gives His people a holy dwelling and sets the way of approach?

God gives a dwelling suited to His people’s journey.

Joined curtains make one dwelling, with outer coverings above them. Boards, sockets and bars provide its frame. The arrangement belongs to God’s plan for living among the people He has rescued.

God’s veil marks a boundary within His dwelling.

The ark and mercy seat stand behind the veil in the most holy place. Table and lampstand remain in the outer room. The barrier teaches that God’s presence is holy, and sinners need His appointed way near.

God’s appointed way finds its fulfilment in Christ.

The sanctuary must be raised according to the mountain pattern. When Jesus died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27 verse 51). His death gives His people access to the holy God, as Hebrews 10 verses 19 and 20 explain.

Memorise

the veil shall separate the holy place from the most holy for you.

Exodus 26:33

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what makes me think I can come to God without the sacrifice of Jesus?

God commands that “the veil shall separate the holy place from the most holy for you.” He has come to dwell among Israel, yet the curtain marks a boundary. Nearness to the holy God cannot be claimed on human terms.

Our sin shuts us out from peace with Him. Jesus bore the punishment His people deserved and died at the cross, where the temple veil was torn. He rose to life with their redemption secured. His completed sacrifice is enough to bring them before God, without another offering for their guilt.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. The repentant who rest on His blood receive forgiveness and a welcome before God. Come through the Savior whose death opens the way. He brings His people into a fellowship no curtain can keep from them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the veil marked God’s holiness, and that Jesus died and rose to bring His people into His presence. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His holy dwelling and the access He provides through Christ, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.

Mark 15:38

Holy God, thank You for teaching Israel how to approach You. Please forgive our careless confidence in ourselves. Turn us from sin and lead us to trust Jesus and His blood. Give our family reverence, gratitude and joy in the access His sacrifice provides. Amen.