The Cherubim embroidered curtains covered the Holy Place and Most Holy Place forming the ceiling and sides.  But, very little of this magnificent tapestry was actually seen, as the Wooden Boards covered much of it from inside the Sanctuary.  The next Tabernacle covering was made out of goat hair and hid from view the brilliant colors of the  Cherubim curtains from the outside.  This weather-resistant material is still used today by many tent makers.

God’s pattern for the Goat Hair covering was very precise, too. Eleven curtains of woven Goat Hair were to be made 45’ long  x 6’ wide each.   Similar to the Cherubim curtains, 2 sets of curtains were joined together; however, one set was made with 5 curtains and the other set was made with 6 curtains.  Fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain of the first set and on the edge of the corresponding curtain of the second set were joined together with 50 bronze clasps.  This made it a complete single tent.  It covered the length of the Tabernacle and the extra curtain on the second set overlapped and folded as an entrance to the front facing the Open Court. (Exodus 26:7-13; 35:23; 36:14,15)

Goats were used by the Israelites in Leviticus 16 for their Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This was an important festival as they came together to be reconciled to God.  Two goats were selected by lottery, one was used for sacrifice and the other was sent out into the wilderness.  The blood of the sacrificed goat would be taken into the Most Holy Place by the High Priest as required by God to forgive the sin of the Israelite children.  “ The Law says that almost everything is made clean by blood. Sins are not forgiven unless blood is given.”  (Hebrew 9:22 NIV)   The High Priest would lay his hands on the head of the second goat and would confess all the sins of the Israelites.  Then it would be sent out into the wilderness, signifying that God would forget all their sins.  This is where you get the term “scapegoat”.

There is a wonderful truth that comes from the “scapegoat”. God wants to forgive us of our sins, but He also wants us to know that He does not remember those forgiven sins.  We are reconciled to God!.

But one goat without blemish must die and be sacrificed. This reminds us of the crucifixion of Jesus. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV )   So, just like it says in the New Covenant: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrew 8:12 NIV)  God can forgive us and no longer remember our sins since Jesus was the sacrifice for us!

The covering of Goats’ Hair signifies that, if we have entered into the Tabernacle, we are clothed with His righteousness!!