Matthew Henry Commentary Exodus 26:31-37

"And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shall it be made. And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold; their hooks [shall be] of gold, upon four sockets of silver. And thou shalt hang up the veil under the clasps, and shalt bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall separate unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy-seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. And thou shalt set the table without the veil, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side. And thou shalt make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer. And thou shalt make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold: their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them." — Exodus 26:31-37 (ASV)

A veil, or curtain, separated the holy place from the most holy place. It was hung on pillars. This veil served as a partition between the holy place and the most holy, forbidding anyone from looking into the holiest of all. The apostle explains the meaning of this veil in Hebrews 9:8: that the ceremonial law could not make those who approached it perfect, nor could its observance bring people to heaven. Indeed, the way into the holiest of all was not made manifest, while the first tabernacle was standing.

Life and immortality lay hidden until they were brought to light by the gospel; this was signified by the tearing of this veil at the death of Christ (Matthew 27:51). We now have boldness to enter into the holiest in all acts of worship by the blood of Jesus, yet this boldness also obliges us to holy reverence.

Another veil was for the outer door of the tabernacle. This veil was all the defense the tabernacle had.

God takes care of His church on earth. A curtain can be, if God pleases to make it so, as strong a defense to His house as gates of brass and bars of iron.

With this typical description of Christ and His church before us, what is our judgment of these matters? Do we see any glory in the person of Christ? Any excellence in His character? Anything precious in His salvation? Or any wisdom in the doctrine of the cross?

Will our religion bear examination? And are we more careful to ensure our hearts are approved by God than our characters are by men?