The Arrangement of the Bars

Verses 26-28. Five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.) There are five bars for each side of the tabernacle, and there are four sides, one north, one south, and two sides westward.
God’s arrangements and provisions for ministry are simple, perfect, and uniform, and adapted to the need of the Church of God throughout the whole world.
The gifts of the Spirit are for the edifying of the whole body; and wherever believers are gathered in. the name of the Lord Jesus, there these gifts have their place and service.
All believers everywhere have need of all the gifts of the Spirit for their compacting and edifying; and according to God’s arrangements, whatever gifts there may be, are available for all.
The apportioning a certain number of souls for one man’s care, or one man to a certain number, is entirely contrary to God’s order. The gifts are for the body, and God sets them in the Church for the benefit of all.
The leading of the Spirit, or the providence of God, may indeed place some in certain localities; but all believers have a title to their service, and they are debtors according to their ability and opportunity to all. Every human arrangement which interferes with this is a thwarting of God’s gracious, benevolent plan.
There are two bars lying side by side near the bottom of the boards of the tabernacle (not one above the other), one in the center, and two side by side near the top; thus, the two under bars may be taken to represent the gifts of the apostles and prophets. These, as to doctrine and practice, according to the ability given them of God, have laid the foundation. And the Church is said to be built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
This they did by their labors, example, and teaching in their lifetime, and in the inspired Scriptures of the New Testament which they have left, the Church has still the benefit of their gifts.
The foundations have been laid; the word of God filled up and perfected. Since then there have been. no new revelations of doctrine, and no new directions for practice, the doctrines, precepts, and principles of Scripture being fully adequate to meet all emergencies. Therein the roan of God is thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Hence, apostles and: prophets; in the strict sense of the words, are no longer to be found among living men; but we have them, as have said, in the inspired word, for every necessary purpose.
The middle bar in the center of the boards was entire, extending the whole length of the tabernacle from end to end; whereas, the other bars met in the middle, extending only half way each way.
The middle bar is beautifully suggestive of the wide extended sphere of the labors of the evangelist; whose commission is; “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature,” and in whose experience the ‘prompting of the Spirit is ever “to the regions beyond”— “the regions beyond.”
The two bars near the top represent the ministry of the pastors and teachers; the pastor watching over the souls of the converted, feeding the flock of God. And the teacher leading them onward and upward into further and higher acquaintance with the truth of God, and of the love, person, and ways of Jesus. Thus,
Pastor and Teacher.
Evangelists
Apostles and Prophets.