Exodus 38:9-15 - Then he constructed the courtyard.
The south wall was 150 feet long. It consisted of curtains made
of fine linen. There were twenty posts, each with its own bronze base, and
there were silver hooks and rods to hold upthe curtains. The
north wall was also 150 feet long, with twenty bronze posts and bases and with
silver hooks and rods. The west end was 75 feet wide. The walls were
made from curtains supported by ten posts and bases and with silver hooks and
rods. The east end was also 75 feet wide. The courtyard
entrance was on the east side, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the
right side was 22 1/2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three
bases. The curtain on the left side was also 22 1/2 feet long and was
supported by three posts set into three bases. All the curtains used
in the courtyard walls were made of fine linen.
The courtyard of the temple…physically it was the mere space
of the camp just outside the holy of holies and the holy place…surrounded by a
mere fence made of linen material…probably white. The altar of sacrifice burned continually to
accept any sacrifice they might bring. The space itself was relatively small…I envision
a space a little larger than a basketball court…the measurements for a NBA
court being 50 feet wide by 94 feet long. Add some 17 foot bleachers on either
side…..and some 26 foot bleachers behind
the goals…and you have a very small gym.
Come to think of it…about the same size as the sanctuary of my church.
But symbolically…this expanse of sand…enclosed by the
beautifully embroidered curtains…it represented the place where they could all
meet and bring their sacrifices and prayers of need to God…to the priests he
had anointed to represent him. The walls
of the courtyard were just linen curtains…just high enough that a man could not peer over. They had to make a conscious decision to
enter the worship space...through the one gate God had directed them to build.
They would have come to pray…or offer a sacrifice..or seek advice from one of
the priests.
I read one thought that stuck in my head. The tabernacle tent
had many places…the most holy places … that were made with the royal colors of
purple…and scarlet…and gold. But the
curtains of the courtyard were a simple white. The color of purity...of righteousness
…the color we see when God has washed all the dirt out of our lives. But white
is also the color we see when all the colors of the spectrum are blended
together….a neutral color when our human eyes behold it. But God releases the
hidden treasure that is contained within…in his love for all …in his mercy for
each one who seeks him…and even gave us the beautiful rainbow to prove his
promise to never separate himself from us again. The rainbow is there all the
time…just like the courtyard….but we only see it when the sky holds small
droplets of water…that the sun can shine through…and reveal the beauty that God
blends together in the white…pure light of his love for us all the time.
Father….I admit that I need to enter your courtyard more
often…I am way too satisfied to just gaze at the white curtains that surround
your glory …and think by mere osmosis that your love will seep into my
life. Give me a new passion this morning
to enter through the gate of your courtyard…and really spend some time in
prayer…to bring you my sacrifices and offerings …to burn them in your altar…so
you will be honored and glorified. Forgive me for not allowing you to refract
your white light of love through my life each day. Place in my path more opportunities to share
the goodness and blessings you have given me with others….so more people will
come to know your vast love. Amen.
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