Where should we begin? This was my question for the past few weeks. Finally, I have the answer after much prayer and discussion with my CEO (Yahweh Elohim). He wants us to begin with the curtained fence around the courtyard of the Tabernacle. Abba’s purpose for the Tabernacle would be a place to meet and live with His Bride. 

Linen is the first item we will investigate. There is a wealth of treasure in this age-old fabric. Let’s begin with the instructions.

“You shall also make the court of the tabernacle. For the south side, there shall be hangings (curtains) for the court made of FINE WOVEN LINEN, one hundred cubits long for one side.  Exodus 27:9

For this post, we will focus on the linen and save the other instructions for later. 

Linen is Strong’s Concordance #8336 and it looks like this: שֵׁשׁ

1It is fine white linen of exceptional quality, imported from Egypt. While there are several words translated as linen, it is this linen chosen for the curtains, the priest’s, and the high priest’s clothes. One purpose of wearing linen was to avoid making the priests sweat in their heavy labor near the heat of the altar. 

In Ezekiel, He gives instructions for the sons of Zadok priests who minister to Him in the Holy Place. They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat. Ezekiel 44:18

[Sweat, in the Bible, is a sign of striving in your flesh. Abba wants everything done in His home to be Spirit led and initiated.]

Okay, let’s look at this unusual double use of Shin – שׁ

Shin 300 = Victory of good over evil, Holy Spirit. Means: Teeth, Fire, God Almighty, the Fire of God to consume all His enemies, God Devour, Destroy, Something Sharp.

This one letter is repeated as if to emphasize who is acting and what kind of action is taking place. With that in mind, here is a summary of what Linen means. 

Linen symbolizes the Fiery zeal of God that consumed or destroyed all His enemies – those who kept us from being one with Him. God was victorious over evil and the Holy Spirit is bringing transformation in our lives. 

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:13-15

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

You see, Linen in the Bible is a symbol of Righteousness, the righteousness given to us by Jesus. He purchased righteousness for us with His blood and life at the cross. 

Do you see now why God chose to use Shin Shin to spell Linen? Written right into the word is the fact that we can’t take any credit for our righteousness. It was God’s fiery zeal out of His love for us that made righteousness possible. 

Isaiah 64:6a says, ‘But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;” All our striving and sweat to be right and do right amounts to nothing but a pile of dirty rags in comparison to Jesus’ sin-free life and His loving sacrifice. 

It is also interesting that this #8336 linen is the same word used in Proverbs 31, which describes the qualities of a virtuous wife. 

She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Proverbs 31:22

Let’s hop over to Ephesians 5:25-27 and take a look at another scripture.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Here is the definition we uncovered for Sanctuary. The word Sanctify comes from the same Strong’s word.

A Sanctuary is a place where the flowing water of God’s word cleanses us and brings us life. It is a Holy place to worship God. It is a place where change takes place– where God’s fiery zeal consumes and destroys His enemies—those sent to keep us from Him. 

Do you see the connections? God’s word from Genesis to Revelation carries the same meaning and principles.  

Jesus is looking for a Bride without spot or wrinkle.

The word ‘Wrinkle’ in Hebrew is Strong’s #4506 and it looks like this: קָמַט These are the letters from right to left Tet, Mem, Qof

Qof 100 = Election of God’s chosen ones, set apart as holy. Means: Holiness, Consecrated, Divide, sun on horizon, Back of the Head, Make a Complete Circle, End of a Cycle, Final, Behind, Dome

Mem 40= Trial, Testing, Tribulation. Means Womb, Water from the womb, Cleansing water, flowing water that brings life, Mighty, Massive Chaos, Humility, taking the low place, hidden relationship with God, Cleansing water, flowing water that brings life. 

Tet 9 = Judgment. Means: Choice, Basket, Snake, Surround or Twist, entwine, ensnare, entrap, spin, roll together

Wrinkle describes (Qof) those set apart as holy by God. They go through (Mem) trials, testing, and chaos and make (Tet) choices that twist against God’s will.

In Hosea, God prophesies of a future day of betrothal:

“And it shall be, in that day,” Says the Lord, “That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’

“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord. Hosea 2:16, 19-20

Here is a picture of that day and the last appearance of linen in the Bible:

Revelation 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 

Remember, the Tabernacle is a place where the flowing water of God’s word cleanses us and brings us life. Where God’s fiery zeal consumes and destroys His enemies. And a place where we bend down in surrender as Holy Spirit restores us to Kingdom life and action by doing the works of Jesus. 

The use of fine white linen for the fence is an open invitation to those on the outside to “Come and See. Bring your sins and sorrows. Let Me wash them with a fresh revelation of who I am and who I’ve created you to be. This is your home and all that you need is here in ready supply In Me.” 

Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) Come and find the Way the Truth and the Life in My house. 

And linen will be a reminder for those on the inside. You are My righteous Bride. I’ve given you all that you need to do My will. Together we will see many lives transformed who enter here. Stay in joy, stay in love. I am in you, and I am with you, there is nothing to fear. 

The linen fence announces to us the character and power of our Husband, the new identity we have as His Bride, and the promise of a forever life with Him, surrounded in righteousness. 

Shalom ♥