Exodus Chapter 26

Exodus 26 — “The Veil and the Dwelling of the Holy God”

“You shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains…” (Ex 26:1)

Exodus 25 revealed what God desires:
to dwell among His redeemed people.

Exodus 26 now reveals how that dwelling is structured.

God is near —
but not casual.

He dwells with His people, yet remains holy.

This chapter teaches a truth the modern world has forgotten:

God is intimate without being ordinary.

1. The Tabernacle Is God’s House

“You shall make the tabernacle…” (v. 1)

This is not a shelter for Israel.
It is a dwelling for God.

The Hebrew word mishkan means: place of abiding

God does not merely visit.
He takes up residence.

St Gregory of Nyssa writes:

“God does not pass through His people; He dwells in them, shaping them into His sanctuary.”
(Life of Moses)

2. Beauty Belongs to God

“Fine twined linen, and blue and purple and scarlet…” (v. 1)

God commands beauty.

The sanctuary must reflect:

  • heaven
  • glory
  • reverence

This is why the Church has always insisted:

Sacred space must be beautiful.

Beauty is not luxury.
It is truth made visible.

3. The Cherubim in the Curtains

“With cherubim skilfully worked.” (v. 1)

Heaven is woven into the walls.

The tabernacle is not separate from heaven —
it is a meeting place between heaven and earth.

Just as angels fill God’s throne in heaven,
they surround Him in worship on earth.

4. God Dwells Behind a Veil

“You shall make a veil…” (v. 31)

The veil is the most important fabric in Israel.

It marks the boundary between:

the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies

This teaches:

God is present — but not possessed.
God is near — but not trivial.

St Augustine explains:

“The veil protects us from treating God as common while He prepares us for divine intimacy.”
(Sermons)

5. The Holy of Holies

“The veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.” (v. 33)

Inside the veil stands the Ark — God’s throne.

No priest enters here casually.
No Israelite enters at all.

This is the dwelling of pure holiness.

Yet God chooses to live there for His people.

Grace does not remove holiness.
It invites us into it.

6. The Tabernacle Has Structure

“You shall make frames for the tabernacle…” (v. 15)

God does not build chaos.

Every measurement is deliberate.
Every support is placed by design.

This is why the Church values:

  • order
  • hierarchy
  • structure

God is not disorderly.

7. God Dwells in Strength

“You shall overlay the frames with gold…” (v. 29)

Wood gives form.
Gold gives glory.

Humanity becomes divine dwelling when grace covers nature.

The Fathers saw here a mystery:

Human weakness clothed in divine splendour.

8. The Coverings of the Tabernacle

“You shall make a covering…” (vv. 7–14)

The tabernacle has layers:

  • linen
  • goats’ hair
  • skins

God’s dwelling is protected.

Holiness is never exposed carelessly.

The Church has always known:

What is sacred must be guarded.

9. God Dwells in a Tent

God chooses fabric, not stone.

This teaches something profound:

God travels with His people.

The tabernacle moves.
God moves with them.

He is not locked to geography.
He is faithful in pilgrimage.

10. The Tabernacle Points to Christ

The Fathers saw Exodus 26 fulfilled in Christ:

TabernacleChrist
God dwelling in tentWord dwelling in flesh
VeilChrist’s human body
Holy of HoliesDivine nature
EntranceIncarnation
Tearing of the veilCrucifixion

When Christ dies, the veil is torn.

The separation ends.

St John Chrysostom writes:

“The veil fell when Christ’s flesh was pierced, for God was no longer hidden.”
(Homilies on Matthew)

Key Catholic Themes in Exodus 26

ThemeMeaning
VeilGod’s holiness
BeautyReverence
StructureOrder in worship
CoveringsProtection of the sacred
DwellingGod with His people
Tearing of veilRedemption

Spiritual Application

  • Do not make God ordinary.
  • Let reverence guard intimacy.
  • Make your soul a dwelling for God.
  • Guard your heart as a sanctuary.
  • Approach Him with awe and love.

Closing Prayer

Holy God,
You chose to dwell among Your people behind the veil of mystery.
Through Jesus Christ You have torn the veil and brought us near.
Teach us to love Your closeness without losing reverence,
to seek Your presence without forgetting Your holiness,
and to become living tabernacles of Your grace,
until we enter Your true dwelling in heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.