Exodus 26:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

On the eastern side of the Tabernacle, the Lord instructed that a doorway be constructed, allowing the sun to rise and pay homage to the Tabernacle by casting its initial light upon it. However, the priests entrusted with serving the one true God, when facing the Tabernacle, would have the sun at their backs, directing their worship not towards the sun itself, but to its Creator.

The western side of the Tabernacle is said to face the sea, which holds true as the righteous reign alongside the Lord while the wicked face eternal judgment (Psalm 1:6; Matthew 25:46). This reference pertains to the Red Sea, where Pharaoh and his army met their demise, whereas Israel, guided by the Lord, ascended to Mount Sinai, the site of the tabernacle's construction. Thus, the westward orientation of the Tabernacle symbolizes the Holy Church, which, after fulfilling its good deeds, receives a crown in Christ, allowing it to observe the sins and penalties of the unrighteous with clarity.

The sockets of the boards elevated the wood above the ground, protecting it from decay. Together, these sockets established a unified foundation, embodying the intricate beauty of the Tabernacle as described in the translation of the Seventy. Each bar was secured with two spikes at its base, and a unique footstool was created for every spike. At the corners of the Tabernacle, the boards were linked by rings, serving as the sole connection between the back and side walls. As we will explore further, the walls were collectively held together using poles that passed through all the boards. While the precise method of how the rings at the corner beams were affixed remains unclear, it is conceivable that they were either bolted, or joined by chains or cords.