The Tabernacle Setup & Arrangement
December 19, 2020
Commentary
Moses’ obedience to God’s command is a key theme in this chapter. The people provided the resources and labor, but only the LORD’s servant Moses was authorized to erect the tabernacle and prepare it for His presence. This chapter reaches a climax as the tabernacle is completed and the LORD’s dwelling among His people becomes visible.
This final chapter can be divided into three parts. 1. Divine instructions are given to Moses about the arrangement of the tabernacle and its furnishings, along with the anointing of the holy things (vv. 1–16). 2. A record follows of how Moses carefully obeyed the LORD’s commands in setting up and sanctifying the tabernacle (vv. 17–33). 3. The glory of the LORD descends on the tabernacle in a cloud, filling it and showing that He had come to dwell among His people (vv. 34–38).
The first sixteen verses emphasize two themes—order and holiness. 1. The proper arrangement of the furnishings of the tabernacle (vv. 1–8). The LORD commanded that it be set up one year after the Exodus and about eight and a half months after Israel’s arrival at Mount Sinai. Each item was placed exactly as the LORD directed, showing that everything in His dwelling had a purpose. The construction took less than six months, and every detail was completed with care. 2. Instructions for anointing the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests (vv. 9–16). The words “anoint” and “consecrate” emphasize that all these things were set apart for the LORD’s service. The oil symbolized the Spirit’s sanctifying work, making both the objects and the priests holy for sacred use. Aaron and his sons were anointed to serve before the LORD as mediators for Israel.
Application
When I see how carefully Moses followed the LORD’s commands, I’m re-minded that obedience invites God’s presence. Do I pay attention to His instructions in my daily life, or rush ahead with my own plans? The LORD values order, holiness, and faithfulness. How can I prepare my heart today to be a home where He dwells?
Exodus 40:1–16 (NET)
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. 3 You are to place the ark of the testimony in it and shield the ark with the special curtain. 4 You are to bring in the table and set out the things that belong on it; then you are to bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5 You are to put the gold altar for incense in front of the ark of the testimony and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 6 You are to put the altar for the burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. 7 You are to put the large basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. 8 You are to set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the gate of the courtyard. 9 And take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and sanctify it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. 10 Then you are to anoint the altar for the burnt offering with all its utensils; you are to sanctify the altar, and it will be the most holy altar. 11 You must also anoint the large basin and its pedestal, and you are to sanctify it.
12 “You are to bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 13 Then you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments and anoint him and sanctify him so that he may minister as my priest. 14 You are to bring his sons and clothe them with tunics 15 and anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may minister as my priests; their anointing will make them a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.” 16 This is what Moses did, according to all the Lord had commanded him—so he did.
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