The Golden Bars
Exodus 26:26-28
"Joined together and compacted" (Eph. 4:16).

THE North, South and West walls of the Sanctuary were provided with five shittim wood, gold covered bars which traversed the entire length of each wall. Four of the bars were apparently visible being fastened to the pillars forming each wall by golden rings (v.34). The middle bar (v.33) was invisible, being made to transversely "shoot through" the boards forming each wall. Exod. 40:18 describes the assembly of the walls when these bars were "put in".

This assembly arrangement ensured that each wall was securely held together so that the whole structure was strong and stood firmly erect. The bars held each member of the wall in place and prevented any from being in the wrong position or even absent. The center bar particularly kept each in its true alignment with the remainder of the assembly.

Thus the pattern shown to Moses in the mount provides a very clear illustration of our part in the Ecclesia. We are bound together by uniting principles.

Paul reminded the brethren of Colosse that the Truth was designed to unite all members together, linking them with "the Head" from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God" (Col. 2:19). He brought home the lesson of the Tabernacle by teaching that members of an ecclesia are "knit together" by "joints" and "bands" as the Tabernacle was with its golden bars. Also Eph. 4:16.

"Joints" (Gk Haphtie) denotes a ligament for fastening and holding together; while "bands" (Gk Sundesmos) represents a joint tie and, figuratively, an impediment (that is, to individual freedom of actions or inclinations). What a very practical illustration of the effect that the Truth and our association together has upon us as members of the body of Christ! The inclinations and dispositions towards the desires and pleasures of thc natural man are restrained by the principles of righteousness and faith.

There is a close compaction of members of the true Body one with the other. There are none missing from the assembly such as those who concerned Paul when he wrote Heb. 10:25 because they had "forsaken the assembling of themselves together". Rather all are so closely united that he calls them "knit" together (Col. 2:19). The spiritual, unseen, power of the Word of God that was seen in His son, runs through each member, and thus in each assembly, like the hidden bar. Its effect can be seen, however, in the union of member with member and in the strong stability in truth and faith, of each assembly. There are those who, like the Shittim-wood gold-covered bars, help to hold the assembly together in a close, co-operative association, with each member responding to his responsibilities and functions in upholding the character and work of thc covering, the Lord Jesus Christ; and, at the same time, showing the true faith that has been tested under trial and affliction.

One of the effects of such oneness and closeness of association is that outside light is unable to penetrate into the Ecclesial Holy Place. The light necessary in the Ecclesia is that of the Knowledge of Yahweh's Word. Knowledge of the world is in no way necessary or even helpful as far as Ecclesial functioning and illumination is concerned.