Exodus 27:18 The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits high, and with bronze bases.
I am struck today with the contrast between the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, God was unapproachable in His holiness. Worshippers could come into the courtyard and no further. The temple, with its gold, bronze, and fine linens, was off limits.
Exodus 27:19 All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those for the courtyard, are to be of bronze.
Conversely, Jesus defended the sinful woman who bathed his feet in expensive nard and wiped them dry with her hair. There was no courtyard to contain her. There was no holding back of the finery for the inner sanctum. Though the disciples’ indignation was evident, Jesus defends the woman for “the beautiful thing she has done…” (Matt 26:10).
Exodus 27:20 “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.
Precious Savior, Thank You both for Your holiness and Your approachability. Thank You that I don’t have to dress up my hurt, my wounds, my confusion, my anger, that You love me and welcome me into Your presence always. Help me never to forget “the beautiful thing” You have done for me. Help me to treat others with that extravagant grace. Amen.
Exodus 27:21 In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.
Have a blessed day.