Exodus 26:13
And the tent curtains will be a cubit longer on either side, and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it.
And the tent curtains will be a cubit longer on either side,

God gave exact dimensions for the tabernacle so that every part would fit according to His design. The additional length of the linen curtains extended beyond the framework, preparing the structure to be fully covered by the outer layers.

Exo 36:8-10 All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen…
Isa 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth;…
Isa 54:2 “Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains…

and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it.

The overhanging material protected the tabernacle’s sides and completed its covering. Nothing in the construction was left exposed or unfinished, reflecting the completeness of God’s provision for the place where He would dwell among Israel.

Exo 36:14-19 He then made curtains of goat hair for the tent…
Exo 40:19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle…
Num 4:25-26 They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the tabernacle from God on Mount Sinai.

2. The Tabernacle
A portable earthly dwelling place for God among the Israelites, designed according to divine specifications.

3. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were instructed to build the tabernacle as a place of worship and meeting with God.

4. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites wandered for 40 years and where the tabernacle was constructed and used.

5. Bezalel and Oholiab
Skilled artisans appointed by God to oversee the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings.
Teaching Points
Attention to Detail in Worship
The specific measurements and instructions for the tabernacle remind us of the importance of reverence and precision in our worship practices.

God's Provision and Protection
The extra cubit of curtain symbolizes God's provision and protection, covering and safeguarding His dwelling place, just as He covers and protects us.

Symbolism of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle serves as a physical representation of God's desire to dwell with His people, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Obedience to God's Instructions
The Israelites' adherence to God's detailed plans for the tabernacle underscores the importance of obedience in our relationship with God.

Community Involvement in God's Work
The construction of the tabernacle involved the entire community, illustrating the collective responsibility and privilege of participating in God's work.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the detailed construction of the tabernacle reflect God's character and His expectations for worship?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship today is both reverent and aligned with God's instructions?

3. How does the concept of God dwelling among His people in the tabernacle connect to the New Testament understanding of Jesus and the Holy Spirit?

4. What are some practical ways we can experience and acknowledge God's protection and provision in our daily lives?

5. How can we, as a community of believers, work together to fulfill God's purposes, similar to the Israelites' collective effort in building the tabernacle?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25-31
These chapters provide the detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following God's precise directions.

Hebrews 9
This chapter in the New Testament discusses the significance of the tabernacle as a foreshadowing of Christ's work and the heavenly sanctuary.

John 1:14
The concept of God dwelling among His people is fulfilled in Jesus, who "tabernacled" among us, highlighting the continuity of God's presence from the tabernacle to Christ.
AnalogiesW. Brown.Exodus 26:1-14
The Beauty of Holiness WithinA. Nevin, D. D.Exodus 26:1-14
The Coverings of the TabernacleG. Rodgers.Exodus 26:1-14
The CurtainsH. W. Soltau.Exodus 26:1-14
The Curtains and the CoveringsR. E. Sears.Exodus 26:1-14
The Curtains of the TabernacleW. L. Watkinson.Exodus 26:1-14
The Goats'-Hair CoveringG. Rodgers.Exodus 26:1-14
The Golden and Brazen TachesH. W. Soltau.Exodus 26:1-14
The Rams' skins Dyed RedG. Rodgers.Exodus 26:1-14
Jehovah's DwellingJ. Orr Exodus 26:1-37
The Tabernacle ItselfD. Young Exodus 26:1-37
People
Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Cover, Cubit, Curtains, Hang, Hanging, Lap, Length, Longer, Remains, Sides, Spread, Superfluity, Tabernacle, Ten, Tent
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 26:1-13

     7344   curtain

Exodus 26:1-37

     5207   architecture
     5578   tents

Library
Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year Over, with Ease, Profit, and Reverence.
But forasmuch, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating on the word of God, are the parent's of prayer, therefore, before thou prayest in the morning, first read a chapter in the word of God; then meditate awhile with thyself, how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it. As--First, what good counsels or exhortations to good works and to holy life. Secondly, what threatenings of judgments against such and such a sin; and what fearful examples of God's punishment or vengeance
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Sunday after Ascension Day
Text: First Peter 4, 7-11.[1] 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves: for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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