Exodus 40

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

2 The first month, the first day of the month, thou shalt set up the tabernacle of the testimony,

3 And shalt put the ark in it, and shalt let down the veil before it:

4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set upon it the things that are commanded according to the rite. The candlestick shall stand with its lamps,

5 And the altar of gold, whereon the incense is burnt before the ark of the testimony. Thou shalt put the hanging in the entry of the tabernacle,

6 And before it the altar of holocaust.

7 The laver between the altar and the tabernacle, and thou shalt fill it with water.

8 And thou shalt encompass the court with hangings, and the entry thereof.

9 And thou shalt take the oil of unction and anoint the tabernacle with its vessels, that they may be sanctified:

10 The altar of holocaust and all its vessels:

11 The laver with its foot: thou shalt consecrate all with the oil of unction, that they may be most holy.

12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and having washed them with water,

13 Thou shalt put on them the holy vestments, that they may minister to me,

14 (40-13)

15 (40-13)

16 (40-13) and that the unction of them may prosper to an everlasting priesthood.

17 (40-14) And Moses did all that the Lord had commanded.

18 (40-15) So in the first month of the second year, the first day of the month, the tabernacle was set up.

19 (40-16) And Moses reared it up, and placed the boards and the sockets and the bars, and set up the pillars,

20 (40-17) And spread the roof over the tabernacle, putting over it a cover, as the Lord had commanded.

21 (40-18) And he put the testimony in the ark, thrusting bars underneath, and the oracle above.

22 (40-19) And when he had brought the ark into the tabernacle, he drew the veil before it to fulfil the commandment of the Lord.

23 (40-20) And he set the table in the tabernacle of the testimony, at the north side, without the veil,

24 (40-21) Setting there in order the loaves of proposition, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

25 (40-22) He set the candlestick also in the tabernacle of the testimony, over against the table on the south side,

26 (40-23) Placing the lamps in order, according to the precept of the Lord.

27 (40-24) He set also the altar of gold under the roof of the testimony, over against the veil,

28 (40-25) And burnt upon it the incense of spices, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

29 (40-26) And he put also the hanging in the entry of the tabernacle of the testimony,

30 (40-27) And the altar of holocaust in the entry of the testimony, offering the holocaust, and the sacrifices upon it, as the Lord had commanded.

31 (40-28) And he set the laver between the tabernacle of the testimony and the altar, filling it with water.

32 (40-29) And Moses and Aaron, and his sons, washed their hands and feet,

33 (40-30) When they went into the tabernacle of the covenant, and went to the altar, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

34 (40-31) He set up also the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, drawing the hanging in the entry thereof. After all things were perfected,

35 (40-32) The cloud covered the tabernacle of the testimony, and the glory of the Lord filled it.

36 (40-33) Neither could Moses go into the tabernacle of the covenant, the cloud covering all things, and the majesty of the Lord shining, for the cloud had covered all.

37 (40-34) If at any time the cloud removed from the tabernacle, the children of Israel went forward by their troops:

38 (40-35) If it hung over, they remained in the same place.

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.