The Goats’ Hair Curtains

And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. The ten curtains of fine twined linen formed the tabernacle; these eleven curtains of goats’ hair compose the tent.
Looking on the tent as typical of the Lord Jesus when on earth, it presents him as taking upon him the form of a servant, and made in the likeness of men. (Phil. 3:7.) Yea more, oh marvelous stoop of condescending love, as Made in the likeness of sinful flesh. (Romans 8:3.) For the goat in Scripture was especially selected for the sin offering, as typical of Christ; though it was only on the cross that he was “made sin for us.” And the parable in Matthew 25:31, to the end, shows the marked distinction in figure between the sheep and the goat. We know that he personally “knew no sin;” yet, in outward form and appearance, he was found in fashion as a man at the same time, like the tabernacle enclosed by the tent, he was the habitation of God, the glory of the godhead dwelt within.
In the second place, looking at the tent as typical of the Church of God on earth, it presents us the Church as composed of individuals living in the world: not as the Church inwardly in Spirit, but the Church outwardly in the flesh.
It is called the tent of the congregation, as representing those who are associated, or gathered together, to the confession of the name of Jesus—the assembly, or assemblies, of the saints.
And the tent of witness, as representing them as the witnessing company for Christ in the earth.
“I am black, but comely,” says the bride (Song of Solomon 1:5), “as the tents of Kedar;” such is the Church’s outward appearance in the flesh, “as the curtains of Solomon;” such she is within, as the workmanship of the Divine and Eternal Spirit.