Exodus 26:1
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
This direction belongs to God's specifications for building the tabernacle. The tabernacle was portable so it could be taken apart and carried with the Israelites on all their journeyings, yet it was a structure of extraordinary magnificence with walls of upright boards heavily plated with purest gold.
The verse describes the innermost roof curtain made of fine-twined linen in blue and purple and scarlet with skillfully worked cherubim. This curtain formed the ceiling beneath three other protective coverings and was the innermost part of the covering above the gold-plated boards. The colors were a variety most beautifully arranged and richly embroidered, with shining cherubim wrought into the fabric with threads of gold and silver.
The building had two apartments separated by a rich and beautiful curtain or veil, with a similar veil closing the entrance of the first apartment, and those veils shared the same coloring and cherubim work as the curtain that formed the ceiling. The cherubim represent the angelic host who are connected with the work of the heavenly sanctuary and who minister to the saints on earth. The sacred apartments had no windows, and the candlestick of purest gold burning night and day gave light to both apartments.
Its lamps shone on the gold-plated side boards and the sacred furniture and on the curtains, so that the gold reflected the colors of the curtains like the different colors of a rainbow. This gave a beauty and loveliness and sacred glory beyond description that no language can describe. The curtains in this way displayed the magnificence and glory of the sanctuary.
The skill, wisdom, and genius used to carry out these specifications were given by God and were to be used for His glory. Paul repeated these directions while making tents, teaching his fellow workers about God and showing that skilled labor could serve the gospel.