A Brief Study of the Tabernacle

By Ellsworth A. Archer

Chapter 2

THE COURT

Ex. 27:9-18.

     As already mentioned, the tabernacle stood in a court, or an outer enclosure, 150 by 75 feet. This court was enclosed by curtains of fine white linen 7 ½ feet long, which were hung by hooks and fillets of silver to pillars of wood covered with bronze set in sockets of brass. On the top of each pillar was a silver capitol. There were 20 of these pillars on the north and the south side, and 10 on the east and the west. These were held together by silver rods attached to the pillars by silver hooks. There were two ropes on each post which were fastened by brass pegs driven into the ground.

The Camp of the Israelites

     The curtains at the entrance were different from the others in that they were of fine twined linen, blue, purple and scarlet, and were 20 cubits (30 feet) wide. This entrance was always open and it faced the east that it might catch the first rays of the morning sun.

     There was only one entrance to the court, and that was directly in front. There was no other opening, no other way of entering except this one place. So there is just one way to enter into the Kingdom of God, and that is through Jesus Christ.

     Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber, I am the door; by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:1, 9).

     Notwithstanding these plain statements, people in all ages have tried to find some other way into the Kingdom of Heaven, and they are doing the same today, but there is no other way. Jesus says:

     I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me. (John 14:6)

     He has opened up the way. Just as the gate opened into the court and each one might enter and bring his sin-offering, so Jesus Christ is the way to God. He has placed all on savable ground so that no one need be denied. Whosoever will, let him come.