Exodus 40

Moses Sets Up the Holy Tent

1 Then the LORD said to Moses,

2 "Set up the holy tent, the Tent of Meeting. Set it up on the first day of the first month.

3 "Place in it the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept. Screen the ark with the curtain.

4 Bring in the table for the holy bread. Arrange the loaves of bread on it. Then bring in the lampstand. Set up its lamps.

5 Place the gold altar for burning incense in front of the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept. Put up the curtain at the entrance to the holy tent.

6 "Place the altar for burnt offerings in front of the entrance to the holy tent, the Tent of Meeting.

7 Place the large bowl between the Tent of Meeting and the altar. Put water in the bowl.

8 "Set up the courtyard around the holy tent. Put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.

9 "Get the anointing oil. Anoint the holy tent and everything that is in it. Set apart the holy tent and everything that belongs to it. Then it will be holy.

10 Anoint the altar for burnt offerings and all of its tools. Set the altar apart. Then it will be a very holy place.

11 Anoint the large bowl and its stand. Set them apart.

12 "Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Wash them with water.

13 Dress Aaron in the sacred clothes. Anoint him and set him apart. Then he will be able to serve me as priest.

14 "Bring his sons and dress them in their inner robes.

15 Anoint them just as you anointed their father. Then they will be able to serve me as priests. They will be anointed to do the work of priests. That work will last for all time to come."

16 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.

17 So the holy tent was set up. It was the first day of the first month in the second year.

18 Moses set up the holy tent. He put the bases in place. He put the frames in them. He put in the crossbars. He set up the posts.

19 He spread the holy tent over the frames. Then he put the coverings over the tent. Moses did it as the LORD had commanded him.

20 He got the tablets of the covenant. He placed them in the ark. He put the poles through its rings. And he put the cover on it. The cover was the place where sin is paid for.

21 Moses brought the ark into the holy tent. He hung the curtain to screen the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept. Moses did it as the LORD had commanded him.

22 He placed the table for the holy bread in the Tent of Meeting. It was on the north side of the holy tent outside the curtain.

23 He arranged the loaves of bread on it in the sight of the Lord. Moses did it as the LORD had commanded him.

24 He placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting. It stood across from the table on the south side of the holy tent.

25 He set up the lamps in the sight of the Lord. Moses did it as the LORD had commanded him.

26 He placed the gold altar for burning incense in the Tent of Meeting. He placed it in front of the curtain.

27 He burned sweet-smelling incense on it. Moses did it as the LORD had commanded him.

28 Then he put up the curtain at the entrance to the holy tent.

29 He set the altar for burnt offerings near the entrance to the holy tent, the Tent of Meeting. He sacrificed burnt offerings and grain offerings on it. Moses did it as the LORD had commanded him.

30 He placed the large bowl between the Tent of Meeting and the altar. He put water in the bowl for washing.

31 Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet.

32 They washed when they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar. They did it as the LORD had commanded Moses.

33 Then Moses set up the courtyard around the holy tent and altar. He put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses completed the work.

The Glory of the LORD

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting. The glory of the LORD filled the holy tent.

35 Moses couldn't enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it. The glory of the LORD filled the holy tent.

36 The people of Israel continued their travels. When the cloud lifted from above the holy tent, they started out.

37 But if the cloud didn't lift, they did not start out. They stayed until the day it lifted.

38 So the cloud of the LORD was above the holy tent during the day. Fire was in the cloud at night. The whole community of Israel could see the cloud during all of their travels.

Exodus 40 Commentary

Chapter 40

The tabernacle is to be set up, Aaron and his sons to be sanctified. (1-15) Moses performs all as directed. (16-33) The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle. (34-38)

Verses 1-15 When a new year begins, we should seek to serve God better than the year before. In half a year the tabernacle was completed. When the hearts of numbers are earnest in a good cause, much may be done in a short time; and when the commandments of God are continually attended to, as the rule of working, all will be done well. The high-priesthood was in the family of Aaron till Christ came, and in Him, the substance of all these shadows, it continues for ever.

Verses 16-33 When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off rearing it till they came to Canaan; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp. Those who are unsettled in the world, must not think that this will excuse want of religion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is very needful, even in a wilderness, especially as we may be in another world before we come to fix in this. And we may justly fear lest we should deceive ourselves with a form of godliness. The thought that so few entered Canaan, should warn young persons especially, not to put off the care of their souls.

Verses 34-38 The cloud covered the tabernacle even in the clearest day; it was not a cloud which the sun scatters. This cloud was a token of God's presence to be seen day and night, by all Israel, that they might never again question, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? It guided the camp of Israel through the wilderness. While the cloud rested on the tabernacle, they rested; when it removed, they followed it. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In light and fire the Shechinah made itself visible: God is Light; our God is a consuming Fire. Yet so dazzling was the light, and so dreadful the fire, that Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, till the splendour was abated. But what Moses could not do, our Lord Jesus has done, whom God caused to draw near; and who has invited us to come boldly, even to the mercy-seat. Being taught by the Holy Spirit to follow the example of Christ, as well as to depend upon him, to attend his ordinances, and obey his precepts, we shall be kept from losing our way, and be led in the midst of the paths of judgment, till we come to heaven, the habitation of his holiness. BLESSED BE GOD FOR JESUS CHRIST!

Chapter Summary

\\INTRODUCTION OF EXODUS 40\\

This chapter contains the order for setting up the tabernacle, and
placing the furniture of it where it was the will of God it should be
put, Ex 40:1-8 and for the anointing it, and all its vessels, and
also Aaron and his sons, Ex 40:9-16 all which were accordingly
done, the tabernacle was reared up, and everything was put in its
proper place, Ex 40:16-33 upon which a cloud covered the tent, and
the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, so that Moses could not
enter; which cloud afterwards was a direction in their journeys, by
night and by day, Ex 40:34-38.