Humanly speaking, for such a massive wilderness camp, one might think there would be multiple ways for the people to access the place to worship – for crowd control, if for no other reason. Just to be sure we have the picture in our heads, look at how this camp was organized around the white fine-twined-linen fence of the tabernacle courtyard.
Numbers 1:44 provides an interesting population statistic. In the huge camp, there were 603,550 males 20 years and older, excluding the Levites. Think about what the possible number could have been – including women and children. If you read Numbers Chapter 2, you will see that the Lord gave Moses and his brother Aaron very specific instructions about the organization of the mobile tent city. You might ask: “why did it matter how the camp was organized?” That question won’t be answered here.
The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side. Numbers 2:1-2 ESV
For the convenience of all the would-be worshipers, wouldn’t it make sense if they could all come to the entrance nearest them? For example, the camping tribes on the north side of the tabernacle (tent of meeting) could have a northern gate and so on. It just makes sense, and it would certainly alleviate congestion.
When it comes to our approach to God and our acceptance – out with human common sense! Think of some examples today of people thinking ‘their way’ should be okay. God has always had only one way to Himself.
Read these verses carefully about the one entrance – the one gate – the one way – the one door.
Exodus 27:13-16 NASB “The width of the court on the east side shall be fifty cubits (75 ft). (14) “The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits (22 1/2 ft) with their three pillars and their three sockets. (15) “And for the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits (22 1/2 ft) with their three pillars and their three sockets. (16) “For the gate of the court there shall be a screen of twenty cubits (30 ft wide), of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver, with their four pillars and their four sockets.
You can search through Exodus yourself if you think you may find another entrance – but there’s a 100% chance you will not find another legitimate and acceptable way in. To climb up over the 7½ ft. high white linen fence on the north, south or west sides would be a dumb move and a grave violation on anyone’s part.
The white linen fence barred everyone, but the 30-foot wide door welcomed everyone. We all fall short of God’s righteous and holy standard – the white linen fence. Praise God for the one and only acceptable way in – Jesus said: “I am the door (gate); if anyone enters through me, he will be saved …” John 10:9
Yes, God limited the approach by establishing one and only one entrance; but think about the size of that gate. It sure wasn’t skimpy! The total width of the white linen fence on the east side was 75 feet wide. Included in that width was a 30-foot entrance. Do the math. Imagine a home with a door that took up 40% of the front of the house! Residents with such a focus on their front door may well be signalling their desire to welcome all visitors into their home with a very warm embrace. What does it tell you about God’s heart?
Here’s a nugget someone uncovered in their careful study of these chapters: the bronze (brazen) altar, just inside the gate, was 7½ ft square – so its perimeter was 30 feet – which is exactly the width of the gate. The width of the gate corresponded to the perimeter of the altar of sacrifice. The welcome of the gate equalled the availability of the altar. God has made Christ available and accessible to all. No sinner who comes will be rejected at the gate due to an inadequate provision made by Christ at the cross. The gate and the altar are of the ‘same dimensions.’ So great and so sufficient is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ – that all are welcome. The altar is big enough for everyone.
The gate is wide. The welcome is sure but would all be able to find it? There was no mistaking its singular beauty. Anyone sensing their need to get to the altar would easily see its beauty and prominence. Look at the brilliant blue and rich purple, and deep scarlet design embroidered into the white linen background. So strikingly beautiful to see – no camouflage and no blending.
Blue: Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come…” The Man from Heaven came down to the Cross to redeem.
Purple: Jesus came as a King to Israel, and in John Chapter 10, He is the Shepherd – reflecting Israel’s view of their kings as shepherds. He was the rejected Royal.
Scarlet: Jesus said in John 10:11 He came down from Heaven to “give His life.” To become the gate, it wasn’t enough that He came down from Heaven, nor enough that He presented His credentials as the Shepherd-King. He must shed His blood. He must become a worm that He might add the scarlet thread, and by doing so – He is the gate available to all.
It is time to end this lesson, but perhaps you might want to do some thinking about why the gate was on the east side. Is there anything significant about the east?
Source:
Dr. A. J. Higgins’ Monday Meditations
One door and only one and yet it’s sides are two.
Inside and outside on which side are you?
Thankful to be on the inside!
As directionally-challenged as I am, I find myself thanking God that there was just one door that was distinctively marked to enable us to locate it. If we really want to find it, we will walk the entire perimeter, if need be, to locate it. Once we have seen that beautiful door with its blue and scarlet threads, it becomes our focus. We don’t waste our time sitting at the west end, insisting that there should be a different way into the Tabernacle; we no longer have just a casual interest. Reaching that door . . . entering that door becomes our consuming passion. Thank God that this Door is fully adequate to accommodate any number who enter through His precious blood!