1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
5 And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
29 And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.
30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.
33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
In the final chapter of the book of Exodus, the construction of the Tabernacle is completed and the glory of the Lord fills the holy space. This chapter serves as a culmination of the Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to their new identity as God's chosen people. It also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Church as the dwelling place of God's presence on earth.
The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place of God's presence among the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. It was a physical representation of God's holiness and a reminder of His covenant with His people. The construction of the Tabernacle was a meticulous process, with every detail and measurement given by God Himself to Moses on Mount Sinai.
The completion of the Tabernacle was a significant event for the Israelites as it signified the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among them. The Tabernacle was a symbol of God's presence and a constant reminder of His faithfulness and protection. It also served as a place for the Israelites to offer sacrifices and worship God.
In Exodus 40, we see Moses anointing the Tabernacle and all its furnishings with oil, consecrating them as holy to the Lord. This act of anointing symbolized the setting apart of the Tabernacle for God's use and the sanctification of the priests who would serve in it.
The anointing of the priests was also a significant event, as it marked their official consecration and ordination for their duties in the Tabernacle. The anointing oil was a special blend made according to God's instructions, and it represented the Holy Spirit's presence and empowerment for the priests' ministry.
As the final step in the completion of the Tabernacle, the glory of the Lord descended upon it in the form of a cloud. This cloud was a visible manifestation of God's presence and was a sign of His approval and acceptance of the Tabernacle as His dwelling place.
The glory of the Lord filling the Tabernacle was a powerful and awe-inspiring sight for the Israelites. It was a reminder of God's holiness and the need for reverence and obedience in His presence. This event also foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who would be the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people.
For Christians, Exodus 40 holds great significance as it points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people through Jesus Christ. In John 1:14, it says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse echoes the glory of the Lord filling the Tabernacle in Exodus 40, but in a much greater and more permanent way.
Through Jesus' death and resurrection, the veil that separated the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle was torn, symbolizing the access we now have to God's presence through Christ. As believers, we are now the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and our bodies are temples of God's presence (1 Corinthians 6:19). The completion of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40 foreshadows the establishment of the Church as the dwelling place of God's presence on earth.
Furthermore, the anointing of the priests in Exodus 40 foreshadows the anointing of believers as priests in the New Testament. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." As believers, we are called to serve as priests, offering spiritual sacrifices and proclaiming the goodness of God to the world.
Lastly, Exodus 40 serves as a reminder for Christians to approach God's presence with reverence and obedience. Just as the Israelites were instructed to follow God's specific instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, we are called to follow God's commands and live holy lives in His presence.
Hebrews 12:28-29 says, "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." As we reflect on the completion of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40, let us remember to approach God's presence with reverence and awe, knowing that we serve a holy and mighty God.
Exodus 40 is a powerful chapter that marks the completion of the Tabernacle and the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, His holiness, and the call for His people to approach Him with reverence and obedience. As Christians, we can also see the foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Church as the dwelling place of God's presence on earth. Let us be grateful for the privilege of being in God's presence and strive to live holy lives that honor and glorify Him.
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