Bible Commentaries

Here we have the account of the court surrounding the Tabernacle and the Tent and here again the description begins from the inside. First, the brazen altar is described. It symbolized devotion on the basis of sacrifice. Once more the acacia wood spoke of the necessity for continuous devotion while the brass symbolized the strength of that devotion. As will be seen later on, the sin sacrifice was offered outside the camp. Here its ashes, mingled with offerings, formed the groundwork of acceptance.

The whole court was to be enclosed by curtains of finely twined linen. There was no intermixture of gold or blue, or scarlet, save at the gates of entrance. These exterior curtains were to be upheld by pillars set in sockets of brass and capped by crowns of silver, the whole suggestive of purity based on the strength of government and crowned by the fact of redemption.

The screen to be hung at the entrance was similar to that before the Holy Place. Thus the worshiper, standing outside each entrance, was reminded by the screen of the court, the screen of the Holy Place and the veil of the Most Holy, that there could be no approach to God save on the basis of perfection. No man might pass within the court to reach the altar of devotion save through the symbol of mediation. None might enter the Holy Place for fellowship and testimony but in the same way. None might reach the inner Presence chamber of the manifested Glory except through perfection.