The outermost covering was made from either badger or seal skin. No doubt its function was to provide a thick, protective, weatherproof layer over the Tabernacle. From the outside, this covering made the Tabernacle look ordinary and unattractive. This is the same that is true of Christ: "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." (Isaiah 53:3). But once inside the Tabernacle (the church, body of Christ), we marveled at His beauty and glory.

This protective covering reminds us of Jesus' prayer: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (John 17:15).