Exodus 40

Exodus 40 marks the culmination of the instructions given for the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place for God’s presence among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. This chapter details the assembly and consecration of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as the descent of God's glory into it. It symbolizes God’s abiding presence and the fulfillment of His promise to dwell among His people.

Exodus 40:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.
3 You shall put in it the ark of the Testimony, and partition off the ark with the veil.

This section opens with God instructing Moses to erect the Tabernacle on a specific date, underscoring the importance of timing in divine worship. The ark of the Testimony, containing the tablets of the Law, is to be placed inside, separated by a veil. This arrangement signifies God's holy and unapproachable nature, yet His desire to dwell amidst His people.

Exodus 40:4-5 (NKJV)
4 You shall bring in the table and arrange the things that are to be set in order on it; and you shall bring in the lampstand and light its lamps.
5 You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the Testimony, and put up the screen for the door of the tabernacle.

The table for the Bread of the Presence and the lampstand, which were to be regularly attended to, emphasize the ongoing relationship between God and Israel, marked by provision and enlightenment. The golden altar for incense, placed before the ark, symbolizes the prayers of the people ascending before God, facilitated by the priests.

Exodus 40:6-8 (NKJV)
6 Then you shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.
7 And you shall set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.
8 You shall set up the court all around, and hang up the screen at the court gate.

These verses detail the placement of the altar of burnt offering and the laver. The altar, situated at the entrance, signifies that sacrifice is the means of approaching God. The laver, used for ceremonial washing, stresses the need for purification. The surrounding court defines the sacred space, separating it from the common.

Exodus 40:9-11 (NKJV)
9 And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it; and you shall hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy.
10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar. The altar shall be most holy. 11 And you shall anoint the laver and its base, and consecrate it.

The anointing of the Tabernacle and its components with oil symbolizes the setting apart of this space and these objects for God’s purposes. Anointing confers a status of holiness, indicating that the ordinary is transformed into the sacred through divine designation. This process marks the completion of the physical and spiritual preparation of the sanctuary.

Exodus 40:12-15 (NKJV)
12 Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and wash them with water.
13 Then you shall put the holy garments on Aaron, and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.
14 You shall bring his sons and clothe them with tunics.
15 You shall anoint them as you anointed their father, that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”

Aaron and his sons are washed and clothed in sacred garments, signifying their purification and readiness to serve as God’s priests. The anointing sets them apart as mediators between God and the people, a role that is hereditary and integral to Israel’s spiritual governance. Their consecration establishes a priesthood that bridges the divine and the human.

Exodus 40:16-19 (NKJV)
16 Thus Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did.
17 And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was raised up.
18 Moses raised up the tabernacle, fastened its sockets, set up its boards, put in its bars, and raised up its pillars.
19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

These verses emphasize Moses' obedience in assembling the Tabernacle exactly as instructed. The detailed description of the construction process highlights the care and precision involved in creating a dwelling place for the divine. The setting up of the Tabernacle also marks a significant moment—the tangible manifestation of God’s presence and promise.

Exodus 40:20-22 (NKJV)
20 He took the Testimony and put it into the ark, inserted the poles through the rings of the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark.
21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, hung up the veil of the covering, and partitioned off the Ark of the Testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
22 He put the table in the tabernacle of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil;

The placement of the Testimony (the tablets of the Law) within the ark underlines its foundational role in Israelite covenant and worship. The mercy seat atop the ark represents God’s throne, from which He would meet with Moses and speak the commandments for the people. The positioning of the table and the specific directions for the furnishings ensure that the set order reflects divine order, indicating that worship is not arbitrary but divinely structured.

Exodus 40:23-26 (NKJV)
23 and he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
24 He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle;
25 and he lit the lamps before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
26 He put the gold altar in the tabernacle of meeting in front of the veil;

These actions of setting the bread and lighting the lamps daily symbolize continual sustenance and illumination provided by God to His people. The golden altar, positioned for offering incense, represents the prayers of the people perpetually rising before God, a spiritual offering alongside the physical.

Exodus 40:27-29 (NKJV)
27 and he burned sweet incense on it, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
28 He hung up the screen at the door of the tabernacle.
29 And he put the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offerings and the grain offerings, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

The burning of incense is a high point in the daily ritual, symbolizing the pleasing aroma of prayer reaching God. The screen and the placement of the altar of burnt offering stress the sanctity of the space; only prescribed offerings can enter this holy domain, reinforcing the theme of separation and holiness.

Exodus 40:30-33 (NKJV)
30 He placed the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water there for washing;
31 and Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet from it.
32 When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near the altar, they washed, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
33 And he raised up the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the screen of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

The laver served as a continual reminder of the need for purification before entering God’s presence or performing sacred duties. This final act of setting up the court around the Tabernacle signifies the completion of the sanctuary, readying it for divine habitation. Moses’ adherence to God’s commands throughout the construction and consecration process underscores the faithfulness required in stewardship of holy duties.

Exodus 40:34-38 (NKJV)
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys;
37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up.
38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

The descent of the cloud and the filling of the Tabernacle with God’s glory are the climactic signs of His presence and approval. Moses’ inability to enter the Tabernacle due to the overwhelming presence of God emphasizes the transcendent holiness of the divine. The cloud and fire not only signify God’s presence but also guide the Israelites on their journey, underscoring His leadership and protection. This divine phenomenon affirmed God’s commitment to His people, a constant, visible reminder of His guidance and care.