NEWS & THOUGHTS ARCHIVE

The Curtains of Righteousness

Evangelist Bob Sanders
October 1, 2007

> PRINT FRIENDLY VERSION

Exodus 27:9-13 “And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side: And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.” 

The entire host of Israel is encamped all the way around the Tabernacle, three tribes to the north, south, east, and west. Each one of the twelve tribes occupying it’s divinely appointed place. Stepping to their tent door they looked toward the center of the camp at the residency and abode of Jehovah God. There hovering above the Tabernacle is a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. It is a symbol or sign of Jehovah’s presence. There is a strange drawing in their heart. They find themselves with a longing and a desire that only “this God” could fill. They have considered making an approach in days gone by but the urge is even stronger today. Each individual feels as if He is calling them to draw near and come into His presence. I can remember those days, when as a thirteen year old boy, that God began to make Himself known to me. I had not known all the wicked ways of the world, but there was a longing within my heart for a peace that I knew only God could give. Today would be the day that I drew near, Easter morning in 1963. 

The Hangings
Stepping from his tent door, the Israelite began making his way through the tents toward the Tabernacle. It was not long until the courtyard that surrounded the Tabernacle proper began to define its boundaries. One hundred cubits in length and fifty cubits in width, the linen curtains hanging on the pillars formed an obstacle to their approach. “The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.” Exodus 27:18 The hangings were five cubits in height or approximately seven and one half feet tall. The closer the Israelite got the taller the obstacle appeared. Having arrived at the boundaries of the courtyard the hangings formed an obstacle that he could not go over or under. There appeared to be nothing but a wall of white which is a picture of righteousness, purity, and holiness. I can remember my approach into the presence of God. The first thing that confronted me was His righteousness which magnified my sinfulness. This righteous, sinless, and Holy God could not permit me to enter in my present state. Having listened to Jesus preach unto the multitude on the seashore, Simon Peter was confronted with the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. His immediate response was, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). All that desire to make an approach into the presence of God are met by the obstacle of His righteousness that magnifies their depravity. At first glance the situation appears hopeless! 

The Hope
The Israelite walked down the south side of the Tabernacle, around the west end and up the north side. At this point, there appears to be no way to get beyond the linen obstruction. It was upon turning the corner on the east end that hope began to rise in their heart. There on the east side was a large linen gate that permits the entrance of all that desire to draw near to God. “And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.” Exodus 27:16 The linen had not been removed, but there had been a way prepared through. This gate was not an afterthought with God, but was built into the design of the Tabernacle. Being on the east side of the tabernacle, the gate was revealed by the light of the rising sun. As soon as the light began to pierce the darkness the way in was revealed. But there was one imperative, about this gate; it is the only way in! I can remember the day when it appeared that all hope was gone and the light began to beat back the darkness in my soul. The first thing that the light began to reveal was the Lord Jesus Christ, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The light of the Word of God revealed Jesus Christ as the only way to the Father! “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 Jesus said, “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 10:9). While righteousness had held me out, His righteousness would get me in! What a tremendous truth! 

The Haven
Once the Israelite was through the gate and it fell closed behind him the hangings became a haven. On the outside, they could not get in; on the inside, they could not get out. The linen that once kept them out now kept them in! Thank God for the day that I came to God by the approved and appointed way. Paul said it this way, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9). The righteousness that once held me away from God now holds me in God. My “life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). I was given a promise, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Once I acted on the promise, I no longer keep the promise, but the promise keeps me. The same God that once held me out is how the very God that holds me in. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6  

Things sure do look a lot different from the inside! Thank God for the curtains of righteousness!

> PRINT FRIENDLY VERSION