Exodus 26:7-14: a reflection

7“You shall make curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains. 8The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains shall have one measure. 9You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shall double over the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tent. 10You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outermost in the coupling, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which is outermost in the second coupling. 11You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. 12The overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent—the half curtain that remains—shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13The cubit on the one side and the cubit on the other side, of that which remains in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it. 14You shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.

In the instructions for the tabernacle, God directs that the coverings be made large enough to hang over and cover the whole structure: the overhanging part that remains shall hang over the back of the tabernacle, and over the sides on this side and that, to cover it. The coverings were not skimpy or partial; they extended over and down every side, covering the whole tabernacle fully, leaving no part exposed. And over all was a further covering of skins for protection. The covering was complete, extending over every side to protect fully.

Notice the completeness of the covering: it extended over every side, leaving nothing exposed. The coverings were made large enough to hang over the back and down the sides, covering the whole structure fully; and over them was another protective covering. Nothing was left uncovered or exposed; the covering was thorough, complete, extending over every part. God did not provide a partial or skimpy covering, but one that fully covered and protected the whole, over every side. The covering was complete and thorough, protecting fully.

That complete covering points to a truth about God's own covering and protection of his people, which is thorough, not partial. We can fear that God's covering and protection are partial, leaving parts of us exposed, some areas uncovered; but the tabernacle's covering extended over every side, complete and thorough. God's covering of his people is not skimpy or partial, leaving them exposed, but complete, extending over every part. Do not fear that God's protection covers only part of you, leaving areas exposed; his covering, like the tabernacle's, is complete, extending over every side. Rest in the complete covering and protection of God, which is thorough, not partial, leaving no part of you exposed, as the tabernacle's coverings extended over every side to cover it fully; for God's covering of his own is complete, protecting fully, over every part, not a skimpy or partial covering that leaves us exposed.

Lord, in the instructions for the tabernacle, you direct that the coverings be made large enough to hang over and cover the whole structure: the overhanging part that remains shall hang over the back of the tabernacle, and over the sides, to cover it. The coverings were not skimpy or partial; they extended over and down every side, covering the whole tabernacle fully, leaving no part exposed. And over all was a further covering for protection. The covering was complete, extending over every side to protect fully. Show me the completeness of the covering: it extended over every side, leaving nothing exposed. The coverings were made large enough to hang over the back and down the sides, covering the whole fully; and over them was another protective covering. Nothing was left uncovered. You did not provide a partial or skimpy covering, but one that fully covered and protected the whole. Let that complete covering point me to a truth about your own covering and protection of your people, which is thorough, not partial. I can fear that your covering and protection are partial, leaving parts of me exposed; but the tabernacle's covering extended over every side. Your covering of your people is not skimpy or partial, but complete, extending over every part. Keep me from fearing that your protection covers only part of me, leaving areas exposed; your covering is complete, Lord. Help me rest in the complete covering and protection of you, which is thorough, not partial, leaving no part of me exposed.