“From the information available, it seems reasonable to conclude that the construction of the court included silver rods (fillets) connecting the wooden posts, the question, nevertheless is what their primary purpose was. (The following was taken from an article entitled, “Fillets of the Tabernacle”)

“We will approach this question from two standpoints: the practical purpose in the type; and the lesson for us in the antitype.

The court of the tabernacle was surrounded by a series of posts or pillars from which were suspended a large white curtain some seven and half feet high and just under four hundred feet in length. This linen curtain would have to be of thick linen to withstand the climate and winds of the Sini desert and therefore would be quite heavy—perhaps as much as a thousand pounds.

Note: Some have suggested as has the author of this article that the white linen curtain was of one piece, the Scriptures however appear to indicate that there were five distinctive sets of curtains or “hangings”, two of which were 100 cubits in length for the north and south sides, one 50 cubits in length for the west end, and two on the east end which were 15 cubits in length one on each side of the opening to the courtyard, the “Screen” or “Entrance Curtain” 20 cubits in length, thus in truth six sets of curtains, nevertheless not wishing to be dogmatic upon the issue there is a distinct possibility that it could have been comprised of one piece as this would in no way infringe upon the type, but to the contrary would lend strength to it. Being without seam, it reminds us of the seamless linen robe that Jesus wore (John 19:23). A robe cannot be put on by inches, and when it covers, it covers completely even as the righteous robe of Christ pictured by the white linen curtain completely covers those justified within. Nevertheless, we are incline to believe that it was divided into six separate sets of curtains as suggested as one curtain 400 feet in length would not only be hard to manage due to its immense weight, but likewise much more difficult to erect.

Now if you were to just put the posts upright by themselves there would be little stability. Therefore, there were heavy copper sockets for the posts to fit into. Undoubtedly these sockets would be sunk into the desert sand for even greater steadiness. This gave them vertical strength, but they would still be subject to some heavy desert winds at times.

Therefore a system of guy lines were used to strengthen the wall. A copper pin was placed outside in the desert, and another one inside the court. These were joined by a cord which was connected to the post. Now there was great strength against winds either pushing the wall in or out. These provisions are described in Exodus 27:19. Nevertheless a problem still exists, if we hang our curtain from two of these posts, two things happen: first, the curtain tends to droop in the center (remember these posts were seven and a half feet apart); and, second, there is a tendency for the weight of the curtain to pull the posts together. Multiply that tendency times the number of posts involved and you can readily see the problem.

Here is where our “fillets” or connecting rods come in. If we join these two posts with a rod and attach the hooks to the rod we have—Voila! —a curtain rod. Now the curtain can hang straight across, and at the same time increase the stability of the curtain wall itself.

These, then, are the two practical reasons for these connecting rods, mistranslated fillets.

The Antitype

To look at the lesson in the antitype, we want to begin by quoting three paragraphs from Tabernacle Shadows, Pages 113 and 114:

Most of which has been previously stated,

“The posts which stood in the “Court,” and upheld the white curtains, represented justified believers—the “Court,” as we have already seen, represented the justified condition. The posts were of wood, a corruptible material, thus implying that the class typified are not actually perfect as human beings; for since human perfection was typically represented by copper, those posts should either have been made of copper, or covered with copper, to represent actually perfect human beings. But although made of wood they were set in sockets of copper, which teaches us that though actually imperfect their standing is that of perfect human beings. It would be impossible to more clearly represent justification by faith.

“The white curtain, which, sustained by those posts, formed the “Court,” well illustrated the same justification or purity. Thus, justified ones should continually hold up to the view of the world (the “Camp“) the pure linen, representing Christ’s righteousness as their covering.

“The silver hooks, by which the posts held up the curtain, were symbolic of truth. Silver is a general symbol of truth. The justified believers, represented by the posts in the “Court,” can thus really and truthfully claim that righteousness covers all their imperfections. (Exod 27:11-17) Again, it is only by the aid of the truth that they are able to hold on to their justification.”

The justification spoken of here is what we frequently term “tentative justification,” because he is speaking of the Christian in the “courtyard” condition, before they reach the point of consecration at the “door” of the Tabernacle. (It is at the “door” following a full surrender and consecration of ourselves that we are fully or actually justified.)

This (tentative justification) is the justification spoken of in Rom 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Notice how the next verse distinguishes this condition from “the grace wherein we stand“—the grace of spirit begetal in the consecrated condition, pictured by the holy of the Tabernacle, with the use of the little four letter word also.

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The function of the posts, picturing the justified believers, is to hold up to public view their faith in Christ, represented by the linen curtain. This, brethren, is our purpose for being. This is why we are here. To show forth the mercy and goodness of Christ’s redemptive work, as Paul says, “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.”

Stability in our Belief

But, standing in our own ability, we often find that our faith is weak and we fail in this God-given task of showing forth our belief in Christ’s justifying work. The four things which gave the court posts their stability are lessons to us in those helps we have to maintain our own steadfastness in faith.

First, the sockets, being made of copper, show our standing in justification—being reckoned as perfect human beings despite the actual fact of our personal imperfections. It is for this reason that we are judged as to faithfulness on our intentions rather than on our actions.

“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man has, and not according to what he has not.” 2 Cor 8:12

Now, with rejoicing we can say with the Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

Sockets in the Sand

To give greater rigidity to the posts, these sockets were sunken in the sand. A quick side trip to the Great Pyramid may help us appreciate this lesson.

What would you say was the most important room in that imposing structure?

We probably would all answer, “The King’s Chamber,” but that really is not true. There is another room around which the entire pyramid was constructed. This room was immovable because it already existed before the pyramid was built. Therefore, the architect—the divine architect—had to plan around this natural phenomenon.

I am speaking of the “Grotto,” that small uncarved chamber that sits right at ground level and is intersected by the well shaft. This “grotto” is shown on the Chart of the Ages by figure “f,” where we see a second cross in a shaded area. That shows the death of Jesus as an Israelite, having earned the reward of keeping the law—everlasting life—surrendering that perfect life as a ransom for all, and providing a release for the Jew from “the curse of the cross.”

It is in the recognition of the total humanity in Christ that we see the full measure of equality for father Adam. It is thus that our faith becomes “rooted,” and the philosophy of the ransom begins to appear. It is of this which Paul speaks in Col 2:7—

“Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

Now if the questioner had asked, what would you say was the most important aspect to the Great Pyramid, something which set it apart from every other known pyramid we would have probably said it was its “sunken feet”. It is these “sunken feet”, unique only to the Great Pyramid, positioned at its four corners, “cut into the living rock” (a “sure foundation”) beneath the pyramid which supports and sustains this great structure. That being true, we likewise have been established upon a “sure foundation”, the Word of God as it has been given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:11)

Our Guy Lines

But there is more to the philosophy of the ransom that prevents our faith from becoming weak and unstable. This is shown in the system of guy lines which upheld the wall of the court. These were suspended from copper pegs—tent pegs. One of these was installed inside the court and the other on the outside. Being copper, as opposed to wood covered with copper, they showed actual human perfection.

As we scan the pages of history, we see just two—and no more—perfect men: Adam and Jesus. We see the one who lost his standing in the court, Adam, as the peg driven outside the fence. The other, grounded firmly in the court, pictures Jesus. These two have one connection—the ransom—pictured by this cord even as it was by Rahab’s scarlet thread. It is this simple philosophy of the ransom—a perfect human life for a perfect human life—that gives stability to our faith. How beautiful! How simple! Substitutionary atonement is the central doctrine of the Bible.

“It is just these two perfect men -Adam and Jesus-whose lives are inexorably linked by the ransom.”

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.“—1 Cor 15:21, 22

“For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”—Rom 5:15

“Is not the great stabilizing factor in our faith the utter simplicity of the ransom concept – a perfect human life for a perfect human life?

Indeed it is the very simplicity of this concept that speaks to its authenticity, Too good to be true?

Too good not to be true!

And yet our faith is sometimes weak. We need further support.

Connecting Rods

This is where the connecting rods come in. These connecting curtain rods join post to post making the wall extremely rigid and solid. Dear brethren, each of you is a post in the court. I am a post in the court. United we have a job to do—to show Christ to the world.

Are you at times weak in your faith?

Lean on me! When I am weak, I will lean on you! We are not independent Christians, but dependent, even as one part of the human body is on every other part.

Using that illustration, the Apostle Paul says in Eph 4:16—“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies (in strength, encouragement and etc.), according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

Now note that these binding rods are made of silver, as distinct from the posts and their copper sockets. Silver, in the tabernacle, is a picture of truth. It is truth that binds us one to another. It is truth that brings us together to study the Lord’s word. It is truth that was the magnet which drew us to this convention. And it is truth which must join us one to the other in this joyful task of holding up the image of Christ—his grace and his mercy—to those around us.

We will continue with our next post.