F.E. Marsh :: 463. Typical Colours

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Exodus 25:3-7

THE different things brought by the children of Israel represent the glory of the person and work of Christ.

As the children of Israel brought the different things to the Lord for the tabernacle, so we may bring spiritual sacrifices to Him, praising Him for all that He has revealed Himself to be in the Person and work of His Son, for having revealed Christ in us, and praying Him to reveal the moral beauties of the Person of Christ through us in our life, that glory may be brought to Him thereby.

Gold represents the divine glory of the Lord Jesus as the Son of God, and also the Lord Jesus as the Righteousness of God (Canticles 5:11).

Silver represents Christ in the value of His person atoning for sin, and the result of it to us, viz., redemption (1 Peter 1:18; Exodus 30:11-16).

Bronze or brass represents Him enduring the fire of God’s judgment against sin (Revelation 1:15; John 3:14).

Blue is the heavenly colour, and represents Him as the Heavenly One in the beauty of His person, dispensing heavenly blessings (Exodus 24:10; Ezekiel 1:26).

Purple is the royal colour, and represents Him as the Lord and King (Judges 8:26; John 19:2, 5).

Scarlet represents Jesus as the suffering One; and as the glorified One—“ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to have entered into His glory?” (Heb. 9:19; Matt. 27:28).

Fine linen or silk (margin) represents Him as the spotless Son of Man in His person and ways (Rev. 15:6; 19:8; 1 Pet. 1:19).

Goats’ Hair. This seems to have a double meaning: first, it is the memorial of Jesus as the Sin Bearer, from the fact that the goats’ hair covering of the tabernacle was bigger than the other coverings, the extra piece being doubled and hung down in front of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:7, 9; 2 Cor. 5:21); for it was a goat that was slain on the day of atonement as a sin offering (Lev. 16:15), thus the goats’ hair covering would remind the children of Israel of the slain goat. Second, the hair has reference to separation, from the fact that the Nazarite was to let his hair grow long, and it would thus represent Jesus as separate from all outward evil and sin (Hebrews 7:26).

Rams’ Skins Dyed Red, which represents Christ’s obedience unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8).

Badger Skins, which represents the outward appearance of Christ to the world. They could not appreciate the beauty of His Person and His perfect holiness. He was to them as a Root out of a dry ground, without form or comeliness (Isaiah 53:2).

Shittim Wood, which represents Christ’s holy humanity (Luke 1:35).

Oil for the Light, which represents Christ in the power of the Spirit testifying to the glory of God (Acts 10:38).

Spices for the Anointing Oil, which represent Christ acting in the power of the Spirit in His life, death, and resurrection, and the fragrance that went up to the Father as He did so (John 8:29).

Sweet Incense. Christ’s intercession for us now (Rom. 8:34).

Onyx Stones. Job speaks of the precious onyx stone (Job 28:16), therefore this represents Christ as the precious One—“Unto you, therefore, which believe He is precious” (1 Peter 2:7).

Stones for the Ephod and Breastplate. The moral glories and beauty of the Person of Christ (Canticles 5:10-16).