EXODUS – Chapter 40 – Chapter 467
THE TABERNACLE SET UP: YAHWEH'S GLORY TAKES POSSESSION
All being ready, a particular time is appointed for the setting up of the tabernacle and the initial worship thereat. This is by specific God-given orders to Moses. The various parts of the tabernacle are anointed; the different items of furniture are put in their places. And Moses and Aaron commence to minister thereat on behalf of the people. As they do so, the glory of Yahweh descends and fills the sanctuary. So powerful is the theophany that the priests are not able to minister therein. The cloud covers the tabernacle, and the glory takes up its position in the most holy. Thence afterwards, the movements of the children of Israel are governed by Yahweh as manifested in the cloud. While it remains stationary over the tabernacle, Israel remain encamped; when it moves, they follow.
The Command To Set Up The Tabernacle — vv. 1-8.
Though all parts of the tabernacle are completed, Moses does not presume to set it up but awaits the command of Yahweh to do so. There is a set time appointed for this, as there is a set time for the consummation of the divine purpose in the earth (Psa. 102:13). At last, Moses receives specific directions to assemble the tabernacle, and is instructed as to the order in which the various parts are to be set up.
VERSE 1
"And Yahweh spake unto Moses saying" — How much time elapsed between the completion of the work (Exo. 39:42-43) and the command to set up the tabernacle is not stated.
VERSE 2
"On the first day of the first month" — See Exo. 12:2. The tabernacle was set up 11½ months after leaving Egypt. It must have thrilled the people, and filled them with awe, to see the results of their gifts and labours taking shape in the beautiful and typically arranged sanctuary before them. They had responded liberally in their freewill offerings of goods and services. Skilled workmen had fashioned the materials into quality furniture and other crafted items of outstanding art and beauty. Moses had inspected and accepted the finished products, and, following the instructions of Yahweh, placed them in proper order for the erection of God's dwelling place in Israel.
"Shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the congregation" — The tabernacle was first set up, and then the tent (the coverngs of goats' hair, rams' skins reddened, and badgers' skins) was placed over it (see vv. 18-19). "Congregation" is mowade in the Hebrew, signifying "meeting at a set time." See previous notes.
VERSE 3
"And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony" — The first piece of furniture put in its place is the ark. It is described as the Ark of the Testimony, for the ten commandments, comprising the testimony, formed the basis of the covenant Yahweh made with Israel (see Exo. 34:27-28; Deu. 4:11-14). In fulfilment of this, the antitypical ark and mercy-seat, the Lord Jesus Christ, was first perfected and the covenant of grace established, before the completion of the entire antitypical tabernacle: Christ and the redeemed.
"And cover the ark with the vail" — With awe and appropriate ceremony the ark would have been put in its place, and the veil hiding it from the common view, and separating the most holy from the holy, hung in place.
VERSE 4
"And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it" — The table of shewbread (Exo. 25:23-30) is next placed in the holy. Upon it were arranged the loaves of bread, the frankincense and the various vessels as prescribed (see Lev. 24:5-7).
It was appropriate that the table of shewbread should precede the lampstand, for the latter was designed to illustrate the former.
In fulfilment of the type, the Hope of Israel was first proclaimed before the completed revelation of God (the whole of the Bible) was given unto man.
"And thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof” — The lamps having been lit, the table of shewbread would be clearly illuminated (Exo. 37:17-24; see notes, ch. 25:31-39).
VERSE 5
"And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony" - See Exo. 30:1-10; 37:25-28. The altar of gold was in the holy place, stationed just before the veil that hid the most holy (Exo. 30:6).
"And put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle" — The reference is to the heavy curtain door that closed the eastern end of the tabernacle. See Exo. 26:36; 36:37.
VERSE 6
"And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation " — See ch. 38:1-7; and notes, ch. 27:1-8.
VERSE 7
"And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein" - See notes, Exo. 30:18; 38:8. The water was required for the ablutions of the priests (Exo. 30:19-21; 40:12,31; Lev. 8:6) and for washing the sacrifices (Lev. 8:21).
VERSE 8
"And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate"— See notes, Exo. 27:9-18; 38:9-20. The "hanging" was the door to the enclosure (Exo. 27:16; 38:18).
The Tabernacle Anointed - vv. 9-11.
The instructions for anointing are given at this place, but it is doubtful whether they were carried out immediately. Most likely the ceremony was delayed until the special induction of the priests was carried out as described in Lev. 8.
VERSE 9
"And thou shalt take the anointing oil" — See notes, Exo. 30: 22-33.
"And anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof, and it shall be holy" — By this anointing Yahweh claimed the tabernacle as His. It anticipated the anointing of the Lord and "his fellows" with the Holy Spirit and a change of nature (Mat. 3:16-17; John 3:34; Heb. 1:9; Rom. 1:4). See Lev. 8:10.
VERSE 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" — In Exo. 30:29 the whole tabernacle and its contents are described as "most holy," but as the altar opened the way to entrance thereat, it is here given a special status as "most holy." It was then anointed, sanctified, and cleansed so as to receive the offerings of Israelites. In this it foreshadowed the Lord Jesus as our altar (John 17:19; Heb. 9:11-12,23; 13:10, 20). By these ceremonies Israelites were taught to treat these objects of worship with the highest respect. Undue familiarity towards such can breed carelessness, and this was discouraged by drawing attention to the holiness of the way of approach to Yahweh. See the marginal references for things described as "most holy."
VERSE 11
"And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it" — See notes, Exo. 30:28.
The Priests Are Sanctified — vv. 12-16.
The inanimate objects associated with the worship having thus been prepared, the active participants are now inducted into their high office: Aaron and his sons are dressed and anointed.
VERSE 12
"And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water" — Aaron and his sons were conducted by Moses to the site of the laver and washed in full view of the people. This was designed to impress Israelites with the cleansing power of the Word as represented by the laver. The ceremony appears to have been conducted at some time subsequent of the erection of the tabernacle. See Lev. 8:1-13.
VERSE 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" — It was appropriate that the inanimate objects be first anointed, and then the priests; for it is normal for Yahweh to first arrange spheres of activity for His servants before calling them to work therein. In ministering unto Yahweh in the priest's office, Aaron represented God to the people and the people to God. See notes, Exo. 30:30-32.
VERSE 14
“And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats" — First Aaron then his sons; first Christ then his sons (Heb. 2:13).
VERSE 15
"And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office" — The sons of Aaron were all anointed by Moses, but not in the same way. Aaron was first anointed by oil being poured upon his head (Psa. 133:2), and later by being sprinkled therewith; his sons were merely sprinkled with oil (Lev. 8:12,30). The latter was a lesser form of anointing, illustrating the higher status of the high priest who thus was sometimes named "the anointed priest" (Lev. 4:5; 6:22, etc.).
As high priest, Christ was anointed above his brethren, and has a higher name than that to which they can attain (Heb. 1:9; Phil. 2:9)
"For their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations" — As such it was representative of the work to be accomplished by the "firstborn of Yahweh," so that in the Lord Jesus Christ, this instruction is fulfilled.
VERSE 16
"Thus did Moses: according to all that Yahweh commanded him, so did he" — Moses meticulously carried out to the letter all instructions delivered him. The phrase "Thus did... so did he" is repeated to emphasize the careful attention to detail required of Moses.
The Tabernacle Is Set Up — vv. 17-19.
In strict obedience to the commands he receives, Moses sets up the tabernacle.
VERSE 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" — See note, v. 2. As a prefabricated building (see Eph. 2:21), the tabernacle could be set up in one day.
VERSE 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" — The word "fastened" is better given as "placed." The sockets were heavy pieces of metal that were placed on the ground; so that there was no need for actual "fastening."
As each piece of the tabernacle was put into place, the watching Israelites would see the building slowly take shape. Each individual family would thrill to the fact that it had personally contributed to the beautiful, wondrous structure before them.
VERSE 19
"And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above it; as Yahweh commanded Moses" — The three parts of the tabernacle are here clearly defined. The tabernacle (mishkan) or separate place comprised the tabernacle proper with its tapestry ceiling of cherubim; the tent (ohel) was the goats' hair covering that was spread above it; the final "covering" were reddened rams' skins and badgers' skins. See notes, Exo. 26:14.
The Most Holy Set In Order -vv.20-21.
The furniture of the most holy is next placed into position.
VERSE 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" — See notes, Exo. 25:10-22.
VERSE 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 Yahweh commanded Moses" - See notes, Exo. 25:10; 26:31 -32.
The Table of Shewbread Set In Order -vv. 22-23.
The table of shewbread is placed in position, and the bread set in order upon it.
VERSE 22
"And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail" -The table was on the right-hand side of the priest as he entered the tabernacle.
VERSE 23
"And he set the bread in order upon it before Yahweh; as Yahweh had commanded Moses" — See note, v. 4; Lev. 24:6-8. The term "shewbread" signifies Bread of His Presence.
The Lamps Are Lit — vv. 24-25.
With the installing and lighting of the lamps the dark interior of the tabernacle is illuminated.
VERSE 24
"And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward" — The word "candlestick" (Heb. menowrah from manowr, a yoke; a frame), signifies a lampstand.
See note, v. 4.
VERSE 25
"And he lighted the lamps before Yahweh; as Yahweh commanded Moses" — In these arrangements, Moses anticipated the work of the priests, and acted typically as the greater prophet-priest who was to come (Deu. 18:15-19; Heb. 7:12-14).
The Altar of Incense Put In Place -vv. 26-27.
With the placing of the altar of incense in the holy place, its furniture is complete.
VERSE 26
"And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the veil" — As the place of prayer, the golden altar of incense provided the means of access to the most holy during the ministry of saints in mortality. It, therefore, was placed immediately before the veil.
VERSE 27
"And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as Yahweh commanded Moses" — For the component parts of the incense and what they represented, see the notes on Exo. 30:34-38.
The Hangings And Altar Of Burnt Offerings - vv. 28-29.
The tabernacle completed, Moses now turns his attention to the outer court.
VERSE 28
"And he set up the hangings at the door of the tabernacle" — Moses first arranged for the outside curtain door of the tabernacle to be suspended from its five pillars of grace. See notes, Exo. 36:37.
VERSE 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 Yahweh commanded Moses" — Moses offered the first evening sacrifice in the priestly character he assumed at this time, by the appointment of Yahweh. Christ did likewise by divine appointment when his earthly ministry was completed, and he ascended to the Right Hand of Power. Paul states that Christ was appointed high priest "after the order of Melchizedek," even though "our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood" (Heb. 7:12-17). Therefore, to do what he did, Moses went beyond the restrictions of the Law. He did so at the appointment of Yahweh, who has selected faith and grace as the means of His favour. See Exo. 29:38-42 for a description of the meat (meal) offering.
The Laver And Court Set Up - vv. 30-33.
The final portions of the place of worship are now completed.
VERSE 30
"And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal" — Moses set up the laver as directed. See v. 7; Exo. 30:18.
VERSE 31
"And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat" — The action described in this verse was not necessarily done at this time, but most likely when the tabernacle had been set up, and the formal worship commenced thereat. As noted above, in all these particulars, Moses acted as a God-appointed priest, after the order of Melchizedek.
VERSE 32
"When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as Yahweh commanded Moses" — For the importance attached to these ablutions see notes, Exo. 30:20-21.
VERSE 33
"And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate" — As directed in v. 8.
"So Moses finished the work" — There must have been a sense of satisfaction to Moses in viewing the completed work, particularly after the delay occasioned by the Israelites in worshipping the golden calf. One can imagine him standing back and viewing the completed sanctuary with the utmost pleasure, rejoicing in its beauty of construction, and its glory of precious metals, colours, and, above all, its symbology.
The words, "Moses finished the work" are similar to those which the Lord uttered from the cross at the completion of his earthly ministry. As death drew near, he declared: "It is finished" (John 19:30). His ministry on earth was completed, the initial work was over — a guarantee that the final glory would be brought to completion. According to The Companion Bible the last words of Psalm 22, which is descriptive of all the labours of the Lord, can be rendered likewise. His sacrifice was an essential element in bringing the spiritual tabernacle to completion (see Heb. 8:2; 9:8).
The Cloud Covers The Tabernacle - vv. 34-35.
With the work complete, and doubtless as Moses and the people observing it with satisfaction, the cloud of glory, emblematic of the divine presence gracefully and impressively moves down to overshadow the tabernacle, entering it so as to fill it. Thus Yahweh takes possession of it, filling it with His glory, so that, for a time, Moses is not able to enter thereat.