Exodus 40:1-38
Q.1. When were they to erect the Tabernacle? How was it to be furnished? How were the Tabernacle and the priests to be anointed? How was it to be completed? – (Exo.40:1-17)
The erection of the Tabernacle was a momentous event. It was erected on the first day of the first month of the second year (Exo.40:2, 17). The order of setting up the Tabernacle was important. After the Tabernacle was constructed, the Ark of the Testimony was placed in the Holy of Holies. (Exo.40:3). The altar of incense was placed in the Holy Place before the Ark. The table for the shew bread and the lamps was also placed in the Holy Place. Both this table, and the Altar of Incense, were separated from the Holy of Holies by the veil that hung over the doorway (Exo.40:4-5). The altar was in front of the doorway of the courtyard, and the laver placed between the altar and the entrance into the Holy Place (Exo.40:6-8). The Lord told Moses to – take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it shall be holy (Exo.40:9). After washing Aaron and his sons – 13 you shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister as a priest to Me. 14 You shall bring his sons and put tunics on them; 15 and you shall anoint them … that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing oil will qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations (Exo.40:13-15). Moses did all that God commanded him (Exo.40:16).
Q.2. What furnishings were placed in the Tabernacle precinct? How did the Tabernacle and its contents impact the senses? What is the recurring theme of the record? – (Exo.40:17-33)
Moses gave oversight to the assembling of the first Tabernacle and then – took the testimony and put it into the ark, and attached the poles to the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark (Exo.40:20 c.f. Heb.8:4-5). Everything was put in its proper place and done exactly – just as the Lord commanded Moses (Exo.40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32). Then the Tabernacle sprung into life, with freshly baked bread on the table before the Lord, with the lamps lighting up the Holy Place, and with fragrant incense filling the sanctuary (Exo.40:23-27).
Q.3. Did God approve of His Tabernacle? What stopped Moses from entering the Tabernacle? How long did Israel stay in a place? On what basis did Israel make their journeys? – (Exo.40:34-38)
Was it pleasing to God and how would they know? – 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle (Exo.40:34-35). Even Moses, who had experienced a special closeness to God, was unable to enter into the Shekinah glory. God was in their midst, and He led them – 36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel (Exo.40:36-38). God knew the right time for them to move from each place, thus keeping them healthy and safe. After the construction of the temple and its consecration by Solomon in the Promised Land, God showed His approval of that by a similar visitation (1 Kings 8:10-11). After Judah returned from exile in Babylon, though they consecrated the House of God, there is no evidence that God’s glory returned to it (Ezra 6:16-18).