Dish cloths, wash cloths, tablecloths and many other cloths are useful in our daily lives. What about Tabernacle cloths? Those were the cloths used for covering the various articles and utensils used in the Holy and Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle. These are noted in Numbers 4. There were blue, scarlet and purple cloths.
It's interesting to delve some into their significance. Blue, of course, would straight away make you look up at the sky on a clear sunny day. Beyond and above that our spiritual eyes would be reminded of heaven, our Heavenly Father and our Word of God and His power and healing influence in our lives.
Among all the plates, bowls, jars and dishes for the drink offerings that were covered in blue cloth for transport reasons, was the ark of the covenant, that 'table' of the presence of God. It's startling to note what Moses and others once saw.
"Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the 70 elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as brignt blue as the sky." (Exodus 24:9-10 NIV).
Keeping in mind that all things related to the Tabernacle and the priesthood were shadows of the real thing that was to come, we can see how God was preparing His people to take note of all things in relationship with Him. The symbolism, the "seeing" with physical eyes, now helps us with seeing them with our spiritual ones.
The blue cloth, I therefore state, reminds me of Jesus who came from heaven to earth to be my Savior and sanctuary, my Most Holy Place. His presence is with me wherever I go through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.
God's presence traveled with the Israelites throughout their 40 years' wilderness sojourn. They saw indication via the cloudy pillar by day and the fiery one by night. What comfort that must have been and balanced by the fear of God, to obey all His commands. At least, that was the ideal for them until their human natures kicked.
Here's a pause for a think about it thought. Do I allow the Holy Spirit within me to comfort me and keep me in obedience to the Word of God?
Most of us will be quick to say that the scarlet cloth represents the blood of Jesus Christ which He shed upon the cross for the redemption of our souls. This is sacrifice. It showed Jesus' determintation and dedication to His Father's will but also His own willingness to want to do so out of His own heart of love for the human race as well.
God being omni-present and not confined to time nor space was able to be God the Father in Heaven whilst still being God the Son - Jesus - on earth. It was not a hard thing for Him. Jesus' humanity allowed Him to shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins and our eternal life. Praise the Lord!
Then there's the purple cloth, which in ancient times was strictly reserved for royalty and nobility. Woe betide to anyone else who wore this color! That person would wear it on pain of death!
Jesus our Savior was the King of the Jews. What's more, He's the King of kings!
The purple cloths covered, among other related articles, the bronze altar upon which the animal sacrifices and offerings were made. The aroma of these sacrifices went up to God. People worship and give offerings and sacrifices to those greater than themselves. Again, to our Savior King we give the glory, honor and praise, service and our lives, giving our purple (our best) to Him.
Why then must all these beautiful and costly colors be covered up with ugly seacow hides? Certainly, the animal leather would be tough and durable and therefore greatly protective of all the sacred articles from the ravages of scorching desert sun, sand-papering sand storms and the like.
Also, the Tabernacle furniture was so sacred that if any unauthorized person were to see them, they'd instantly die. Only Moses, Aaron and sons were allowed to go in and cover up the holy furnishings and articles. Then and only then were the Kohathites able to come in to carry and transport them (see Numbers 4:15).
The Kohathites would see the dull leather color. There was no beauty to be seen. In essence, God's glory or representations of His glory and prescribed worship were hidden.
When Jesus came to earth, He came as a human being. He had the 'hide' of a human being to hide His divinity. Jesus was fully man but also fully God.
In fact, look at this verse,
"...He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by mankind..." (Isaiah 53:2-3).
People would actually turn their faces away from Him!
The rest of the nation of Israelites would see the Kohathites carrying the Tabernacle pieces but may have said, "What's to see?" "Nothing very special." or "Can only see leather!" They may have then turned away and done their own thing.
They may not have apprecieated more fully the sacredness of all those Tabernacle pieces because of the looks of the unappealing protection. The glory had been covered up.
Thus, most human beings and certainly many during Jesus' walk on earth, especially the religious leaders, did not see Jesus' glory, or at least, would not admit to it. Truly, they despised Jesus.
BUT, the eyes of faith see. They see Jesus - the Son of God. They see His true colors. They see His blue, scarlet and purple -ness for He is our God and He goes with us whereever we go.
May the eyes of all who read this be opened to see Jesus and come to know Him as your Lord and Savior, to know that besides being fully man, He is also fully God. He loves you and wants you as His child. Come to Him today.
~ERC February 2024~
Based on Numbers 4.
Sing, Open Our Eyes Lord, along with the Chet Valley Church.
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