Ver. 1. Thou shalt make the tabernacle.] A type, (1.) Of Christ who “dwelt among us, full of grace and truth”; (John 1:14) (2.) Of the Church built by Christ; (1 Corinthians 3:9) (3.) Of every true Christian. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Ver. 2. Of the curtains.] Not, Of the tabernacles, as the vulgar interpreter hath it.
Ver. 3. Shall be coupled together.] These curtains were coupled with loops; so should Christians by love. “My dove is but one: the daughters saw her and blessed her.” (Song of Solomon 6:9) See Ephesians 2:21,22 4:16.
Ver. 4. Upon the edge of the one curtain.] The coupling of these two great curtains together, to make one tabernacle, might signify that the saints both in heaven and earth do make but one Church. (Ephesians 1:10 3:15)
Ver. 6. With the taches.] So is “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) Shall be one tabernacle.] See those many ones in Ephesians 4:3-5, [See Trapp on “Eph 4:3”] [See Trapp on “Eph 4:4”] [See Trapp on “Eph 4:5”]
Ver. 7. Of goats’ hair.] The tabernacle was goats’ hair without, and gold within. God hid his Son under the carpenter’s son. “The king’s daughter is all glorious within.” (Psalms 45:13) And all her sons are princes in all lands. (Psalms 45:16) Howbeit, they must be content to pass to heaven as Christ their Head did, as concealed men. “Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew not him.” (John 1:10) “Our life is hid with Christ,” (Colossians 3:4) as the life of flowers in winter is hid in the root.
Ver. 14. A covering for the tent.] Shadowing out God’s protecting his people, (Isaiah 4:6 25:4 Psalms 27:5) as these rams’ skins covered the ark from the violence of wind and weather.
Ver. 15. Standing up.] As pillars. “Him that overcometh will Christ make a pillar in God’s temple.” (Revelation 3:12)
Ver. 28. And the middle bar in the midst of the boards.] The fastening together of these boards thus with bars signified, saith an interpreter, the uniting of all the members together by one and the same Spirit in Christ: “from whom the whole body fitly joined together, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)
Ver. 31. With cherubims.] To note the special presence and attendance of the holy angels in the assemblies of the saints. (Luke 1:11 John 1:51)
Ver. 36. A hanging for the door.] This shadowed him that said of himself, “I am the door.” (John 10:9) The ceremonial law was the Jews’ gospel, for it was Christ in figure; and to him it led them.
Ver. 37. Of shittim wood.] This, say some, they might bring with them out of Egypt, for necessary uses. Others note that great store of it grew in the desert of Arabia.