Under His Wings
Like the curtains of the tabernacle, we can know he’s there even when we don’t see him. Under his wings, we are safe.
In the last episode, we went inside the courtyard to the tabernacle in the wilderness and took a quick peek inside the tent. Today, let’s take a moment to discover what the tent itself looked like.
God had Moses create a framework of wood laminated in gold to support all the fabric he was going to lay over them. The first of these layers was one of linen embroidered with colorful angelic creatures. These are described in Exodus 36:8–10 in meticulous cubit-filled detail.
The numbers make reading the passage a bit dry, but if we take the time to lay everything out and compare curtain sizes with the walls, we find this decorative linen completely envelops the tent framework—over the top, across the back, and side to side—making the angels appear to be flying all across the tabernacle.
He Shall Cover You
Imagining this makes me think of Psalm 91:4. “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.”
Still, if we step inside the tent, the only angels in sight would be those flying directly overhead—only about a fourth of them. The rest are still there. They’re just scattered across the fabric draped outside the gold framework.
And isn’t that like life? We only see in part. We’re aware of some ways God shields us, but it’s nothing compared to the whole of his protection. If God took this kind of care to cover his fabric dwelling place, how much more will he take pains to completely enclose the tabernacle which is our heart?
Here’s how the writer of Psalm 125:2 put it. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.”
Like the curtains of the tabernacle, we can know he’s there even when we don’t see him. My friends, when we dwell with God, this is where we live. Inside the folds of his tent, we don’t need to fear any tumult raging on the outside. Whether we see them or not, his everlasting arms completely surround us and we are truly safe.
Want to learn more about the tabernacle? Check out my devotional, A Place for Me in God’s Tent.
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Terry is a writer and speaker who loves gathering clues about God from His Word and creation. She wants to help God’s people grow in wonder, appreciation and understanding of Him. She loves finding fresh ways to approach Scripture so we all expand our ability to both apply and share what we’ve learned.
Inspiring enriching and informative. Thank you
You’re most welcome, Janet. Thanks for leaving a comment.
This image of being covered by His wings is a favorite of mine. I love the detail you share here. I can picture the protection of the angels over the mercy seat. What a picture of what Christ did for us.
Thanks, Jeanne. That’s what I thought of too when I saw the picture. How true that it shows Christ’s love for us!