Chapters 26-27
Exodus 26:11 - There are some interesting linguistic parallels in this verse to Genesis 2:24. The original Hebrew of the last part of vs. 11 reads, (literally) "And it will be one." That is, when the workers join the two sections together with the loops and clasps, the two will be one. Now, if we look over at the first marital bond, which the Lord made between Adam and Eve, similar words are used, but the grammar is different. In the context of both of these passages, there are two separate and distinct things being joined together to make one "unit" (vs. 11, NASB). With the temple, the language seems to imply that once the workers join the two, they are one. In the Genesis passage with Adam and Eve, there is a particle on the front of flesh that grammatically means "become." So that passage reads, "And they shall become one flesh." When the Lord put them together, as a skilled worker, they did not immediately become one flesh like the curtains became one unit. Marital oneness is a process. They must "become", that is, over time and with great effort. The potential is there. There Lord has proclaimed it so. But it is not a reality until it is worked out in real life.
Exodus 26:15ff - It is a subtle observation that there are no boards placed on the east side of the tabernacle. Over that area, the veil should be hung (vs. 31-37). Why are there no boards over the east side? It is true that they need an entrance, but why the east? Because the Lord Jesus, on His return, will come from the east and enter the temple from that direction (Zechariah 14:4, Matthew 24:27). In nature, the Lord has given us a daily reminder of His return. Notice that the sun rises in the east. A new day comes when the Lord will rise upon the earth of His creation. There will be no need for the sun in those days because of the glory of the Lord will shine so brightly.
Exodus 27:20 - The Lord did not require the Israelites to give anything in the construction of the temple. It was all supposed to be a free-will offering, so it would not be build upon compulsion (25:2). However, with the oil for the lamps, He did require it of the people. Why? Perhaps because it is everyone's responsibility to keep the lamp of God burning. Some people have been given certain gifts by the Lord to use. Not everyone can do the same things. But everyone must contribute to keep the flame alive before the Lord. In the same way, everyone must work to keep the flames of revival alive and well in their own hearts first, and then in the hearts of others as well.
A couple of points about this olive oil (according to Jewish sources): The oil was to be "clean" (NASB) or "pure" (lit.). That is, without sediment. It should be strained to take out any pulp. This oil was most often used for cooking rather than lighting. Then the less pure oil would be used for lighting. The problem with the less pure oil was that it would produce smoke. This smoke would eventually discolor the fabrics of the chamber, which is undesirable. With regard to the fact that the oil is beaten, Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov (1745 - 1807, a Hassidic Rabbi, was a student of Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz, Dov Baer the Maggid of Mezhirech, and Elimelekh of Lyzhansk. He was known for his love of all Jews, and for his great acts of charity.) wrote, "'Beaten for light' When a person crushes his evil inclination he becomes a fitting receptacle for light; He holds within himself the pure light of the divine presence."
