Exodus 26:15-30
The three sides of the Tabernacle were made of boards, in other words broad planks, of shittim wood, overlaid with gold and placed upright on sockets of silver. A picture of saved souls, firmly established on redemption of which silver always speaks, and divine justice (the gold) on the surface with the intention of showing forth the divine character which should now be displayed. But in order that the boards should hold together, and withstand the desert wind, it was further necessary to have traversing bars, which make us think of all that unites the children of God: thus, for example, the gentle bonds of brotherly love. What support for a young believer to have a brother or a friend with whom he can speak of his difficulties and get down on his knees with him! Above all "one Spirit" unites all the saved ones of the Lord in such a way that they remain "fitly joined together and compacted", in such a way to resist every "wind of doctrine" and the efforts of the enemy to stumble them (Ephesians 4:2-4; Ephesians 4:14-16; see also 1 Corinthians 10:12). Finally, notice particularly that which characterised the corner boards: they were perfectly "coupled together above the head" (v. 24; see John 17:21 and 1 Corinthians 1:10). A mutual link with the Lord, that is what perfectly cements the bonds of fellowship of Christians among themselves.