Exodus 40:1-11, 34-38
“And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation” (v. 1, 2). The tabernacle of the tent of the congregation which Moses was instructed to set up is a tent which consisted of two sections. The two sections, the holy place and the most holy, were to be separated by a curtain (see Ex. 26:33).
Prior to the assembly of this tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, there was a different tent which Moses called the Tabernacle of the congregation (Ex. 33:7). It was within the confines of this tent that Moses was placed in the cleft of the rock and shielded by the hand of the Lord when His glory passed by (Ex. 33:22). The tabernacle of the tent of the congregation was designed by God such that His glory might reside in the midst of the camp of Israel.
God’s instruction for the tabernacle’s assembly begins with the placement of the ark of the testimony within the tent and the installation of the covering curtain which separated the holy place from the most holy (v. 3). The ark of the testimony was the only piece of furniture in the most holy and is a physical picture of the spiritual. The cover of the ark is the mercy seat [a picture of God’s sitting place](Ex. 25:17).The physical contents of the ark testify of God’s perfection (the tablets of stone upon which the Ten Commandments were inscribed) and God’s provision (the bowl of manna). Aaron’s rod which budded [a picture of New Testament revelation that the high priest who makes intercession with God is Christ who sprang forth from the dead] would later be placed in the ark (Num. 17:10-11).
In verse 4, God instructed Moses to bring in the table and to set the things upon it in the order He had designated. The table was brought into the holy place and set on the northward side. The shewbread was placed upon the table. The candlestick was brought in and placed upon the south side of the holy place (v. 24). Both the positioning of the candlestick and the arrangement of the loaves of shewbread were specified by God (see v. 22 and Lev. 24:5-6).
The altar of gold was then brought into the holy place which had been partitioned off from the most holy by the curtain (v. 5). All things within the holy place pertained to priestly service. The candlestick speaks of the spiritual light which the priests were to provide and the shew bread of the spiritual food which was to be delivered to the twelve tribes of Israel. Sweet incense was burned upon the altar of gold, which fragrance represents prayer lifted up by Aaron and his sons.
God then instructed Moses to set the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation (v. 6) and to place laver filled with water between the altar and the tent (v. 7). Aaron and his sons were to wash their feet and hands at the laver before entering into the holy place to perform priestly duties (Ex. 30:20). Burnt offerings were to be offered up morning and evening each and every day for a sweet savor unto the Lord (Ex. 29:38-41).
In verse 8, the Lord instructed Moses to set up the court that would surround the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. All had been assembled as the Lord had said but the tabernacle was not yet ready to receive the glory of the Lord. The glory of the Lord waited until Moses anointed the tabernacle and its contents with anointing oil (v. 9). All had been made according to God’s instruction but was not certified to be holy until the anointing oil had been applied according to God’s instruction (see Ex. 30:23-25). The anointing oil serves as reassurance from God that all was done according to His instruction. All was holy as He is holy.
Moses applied the oil and God certified the holiness of the tabernacle by manifesting His presence as a covering cloud above the tent of the congregation which filled the tabernacle His glory (v. 34). Moses had administered the anointing oil but was not able to enter into the presence of the glory of the Lord.
New Testament believers view this scene and marvel. All believers marvel because all believers are born of the Spirit. Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:5). Believers know the Spirit of truth because the Spirit dwells in us (Jn. 14:17). We have been certified by the Comforter who teaches us and brings all things which Jesus has said into our remembrance (Jn. 14:26).
Moses had been obedient to do all that which the Lord had said. His obedience, however, was not enough that he could enter into God’s dwelling place. Because the Spirit of truth is in us, we know that we have been saved by God’s grace and not of works (Eph. 2:8-9). It is by grace through faith that men enter into God’s dwelling place. Our works fail but God’s gift of grace triumphs in all who believe.
The closing picture before us (and in the book of Exodus) is that of God’s continuing presence with Israel. The cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was upon it by night. Israel responded to the Lord’s leading. They journeyed when the cloud was taken up and journeyed not when the cloud was lifted (v. 36-37). God’s presence was with them as they journeyed to the promised land.
New Testament believers look upon this scene and remember the Lord’s promise: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). Let us so gather that men may see the light which dwells within us.
