Why was the outer covering of the tabernacle plain and unattractive?
The outer covering was plain because it pictured Christ as He appears to the unsaved: Scripture says there is no beauty that we should behold Him, and to the unbeliever He has nothing that appeals. Its unattractive seal skin represented that same outward lack of appeal.
Les explains that the tabernacle’s coverings are pictures of Christ in His attributes. The goat’s hair points to the scapegoat, and the ram’s skin dyed red also pictures Him. The outer seal skin, the part visible if someone looked over the fence, was very plain and had nothing beautiful about it. That matches Scripture’s statement about Jesus to the unsaved: there is no beauty that we should behold Him; to the unbeliever He has nothing appealing. Inside, by contrast, were beautiful linen curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet, fine twine linen, gold or silver hooks, and woven cherubim.