Read the Daily Bible Verse – Exodus 36:27 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Exodus 36:27 may seem like a minor detail in the larger narrative of the construction of the Tabernacle, but it carries significant theological and spiritual meaning. The Tabernacle was not just a physical structure for the Israelites; it was a place where God‘s presence would dwell, symbolizing His relationship with His people. Exodus 36:27 focuses on the construction of the Tabernacle, which serves as a microcosm of God’s ongoing desire to dwell with His people. To fully understand this verse, it is essential to explore its context, meaning, applications, comparisons with other Biblical texts, and modern-day relevance.
In this article, we will explore Exodus 36:27 in detail, examining how it fits into the broader story of the Tabernacle and its significance for believers today.
The Context of Exodus 36:27 (KJV)
Exodus 36 is situated in the middle of a series of chapters that describe the construction of the Tabernacle, the sacred tent that God commanded the Israelites to build as a place for His presence to dwell among them (Exodus 25–30). After the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt, God wanted to be in their midst. Thus, the Tabernacle was not just a place of worship; it was symbolic of God’s intimate relationship with His people.
The context of Exodus 36:27 involves the ongoing construction efforts as the Israelites gather resources and build according to God’s detailed instructions. This chapter highlights the contributions of the skilled craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab, as well as the generosity of the people who provided materials for the Tabernacle. The Israelites’ work on the Tabernacle symbolizes their obedience to God’s divine instructions and their desire to make space for His presence.
Here is the verse in the King James Version (KJV):
Exodus 36:27 (KJV):
“And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards.”
This verse is part of the description of the construction of the Tabernacle. Specifically, it refers to the boards used for the westward side of the structure. This was an essential part of the Tabernacle’s framework, which consisted of boards made of acacia wood and covered in gold. The Tabernacle’s structure was built with divine precision, each side contributing to the overall holiness of the dwelling place for God’s presence.
Overview of the Tabernacle Construction
The Tabernacle was a portable, tent-like structure designed to house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as a place of worship. The Tabernacle was to be erected wherever the Israelites camped, and its construction was to be done precisely according to God’s instructions. The framework of the Tabernacle was made of boards, bars, and pillars, and it was covered with various types of material, including goat hair, ram skins, and fine linen.
The Tabernacle was divided into two main sections:
The Holy Place – where the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altar of incense were placed.
The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) – where the Ark of the Covenant was housed, and only the high priest could enter once a year.
Each section was designed with divine intention, and Exodus 36:27 refers to the westward side of the Tabernacle, which was significant as it was the side facing the entrance, towards the west of the camp.
The Meaning of Exodus 36:27
To understand the meaning of Exodus 36:27, it is crucial to interpret the verse in the broader context of the Tabernacle’s construction and its theological significance.
The Significance of the Six Boards
Exodus 36:27 specifically mentions six boards made for the westward side of the Tabernacle. While this might seem like a mundane detail, the use of six boards is symbolically rich. In Biblical numerology, the number six often represents imperfection or incompleteness, especially in contrast to the number seven, which symbolizes completion and perfection (as seen in the creation story in Genesis 1).
The six boards on the west side of the Tabernacle may symbolize human imperfection, as the Tabernacle itself was a temporary structure that pointed to the coming of a more permanent and perfect dwelling of God’s presence through Jesus Christ.
These six boards were a part of the larger, unfinished structure that would only find its true fulfillment in Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the true Tabernacle (John 1:14), the perfect and permanent presence of God with His people.
Thus, while the number six may indicate imperfection, it is part of God’s plan that will ultimately bring His perfect presence into the world through Christ.
The Western Side of the Tabernacle
The westward side of the Tabernacle was an important location, as it was the direction of entry into the Tabernacle. In many ancient cultures, the west was symbolic of the end, a place of ultimate fulfillment, and it often symbolized the final destination.
The six boards on the west side represent the access point into the presence of God. Though the structure was imperfect, it served as a way to enter into communion with God. The imperfection of the structure would later point forward to the perfection that would come in Christ, who would open the way for us to enter the presence of God once and for all.
Exodus 36:27 Application in Life
While Exodus 36:27 may initially appear to be a description of an architectural detail, it provides us with profound spiritual lessons that can be applied in our daily lives.
1. God Desires to Dwell Among His People
The Tabernacle was built as a dwelling place for God among His people. Exodus 36:27 is a reminder that God desires to dwell with us—not just in physical structures, but in our hearts. In the New Testament, we are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The construction of the Tabernacle, as described in Exodus 36, serves as a precursor to the way God dwells with us through His Spirit today.
2. Perfection Is Found in Christ
The number six, as mentioned earlier, symbolizes imperfection. This reminds us that we, as human beings, are imperfect and incomplete on our own. However, we have access to God’s presence through the work of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect fulfillment of the Tabernacle. He came to dwell among us and provide us with perfect access to God. As believers, we can take comfort in the fact that our imperfections do not disqualify us from experiencing God’s presence, because Jesus is the perfect sacrifice who makes us holy.
3. Our Role in God’s Kingdom
Exodus 36:27, with its reference to the construction of the Tabernacle, also reminds us of our role as co-workers with God in His kingdom. Just as the Israelites were called to contribute to the building of the Tabernacle, we are called to build God’s kingdom through service, obedience, and generosity. We are part of the larger work God is doing in the world, and our lives should reflect the care and attention to detail that was put into the construction of the Tabernacle.
Comparison with Other Biblical Texts
Exodus 36:27 must be understood in light of other key Biblical passages that address the themes of God’s presence and perfection.
1. John 1:14 – The Word Became Flesh
In John 1:14, the Apostle John writes, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Greek word used here for “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled” among us. This is a direct connection between the physical Tabernacle in Exodus and the ultimate dwelling place of God in Christ. Just as the Tabernacle was the place where God’s presence resided, Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of God’s presence with His people.
2. 1 Corinthians 6:19 – Our Bodies as Temples
In the New Testament, Paul teaches that our bodies are now the temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Just as the Tabernacle was set apart for God’s use, we are now called to honor God with our lives, making our hearts a dwelling place for His Spirit.
3. Revelation 21:3 – God Dwelling with His People
In Revelation 21:3, we read, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.” This passage looks forward to the ultimate fulfillment of what the Tabernacle represented: God dwelling with His people forever.
Modern-Day Relevance of Exodus 36:27
The construction of the Tabernacle, as described in Exodus 36:27, may seem distant from our modern lives, but its relevance is profound. The Tabernacle points forward to the perfect and permanent dwelling of God’s presence with us in Christ.
1. God’s Presence in Our Lives Today
Exodus 36:27 reminds us that God’s desire to dwell with His people is still relevant today. Though we no longer build physical Tabernacles, the principle remains the same: God desires to be present in our lives. We are called to prepare our hearts as dwelling places for His Spirit, ensuring that we are living in obedience to His will.
2. Living in the Light of Christ
Just as the Tabernacle was a temporary and imperfect structure that pointed to a more permanent solution, our lives should point to the eternal presence of God made possible through Jesus Christ. The imperfections in our lives are covered by Christ’s perfection, and through Him, we gain access to the presence of God now and forever.
Conclusion
Exodus 36:27 is more than a description of a building detail—it is a theological statement about God’s presence and His desire to dwell among His people. The six boards represent imperfection, but they also point to Christ, who is the perfect Tabernacle that makes God’s presence accessible to all. As we apply the lessons from this verse to our lives, we are reminded that we are called to live lives that make space for God’s presence, preparing our hearts to be temples of the Holy Spirit and reflecting God’s glory to the world.
Exodus 36:27 Commentary
Exodus 36:27 highlights the construction of the westward side of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of precision and obedience to God’s design. This was no ordinary structure—it was a sacred place for God’s presence. The number six is symbolic of human imperfection, but it also points forward to Christ, who would ultimately fulfill the role of the Tabernacle and make a way for God to dwell with His people.
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