Chapter 40

1 The tabernacle is commanded to be reared, 9 and anointed. 13 Aaron and his sons to be sanctified. 16 Moses performeth all things accordingly. 34 A cloud covereth the tabernacle.

2. On the first day. That is, the first of the month Abib, or Nisan, which would be toward the end of March or the first of April. To what better task could the people have set their hands on the first day of the new year than the erection of this place of worship?

3. Put therein the ark. The ark of the covenant was the most important article of all the appointments of the tabernacle, the very heart of the sanctuary, the basis of the covenant (Deut. 4:12, 13), the place of God’s presence among His people (see Ex. 25:8, 21, 22). It was therefore brought into the tabernacle first. The two tables of stone were already within it (vs. 20, 21).

5. Before the ark. Not in the most holy place, but “before the vail,” opposite the ark yet in the holy place (v. 26).

The hanging. That is, the curtain at the front, or eastern, end of the tabernacle (ch. 26:36, 37).

10. An altar most holy. Not because it was holier than other articles of the tabernacle, all of which are said to be “most holy” (ch. 30:29). It was so designated to impress constantly upon the people its sacred nature, inasmuch as they came more in contact with it than with the sanctuary and its contents.

15. Anoint them. There appears to be a difference between the anointing of the high priest and the anointing of the ordinary priests. The oil was first poured upon the head of Aaron, and afterward sprinkled upon his person and garments, but it seems to have been only sprinkled upon the common priests and not poured on their heads (Lev. 8:12, 30; Ps. 133:2). Because of this special anointing, the high priest is often referred to as “the priest that is anointed” (Lev. 4:5, 16; 6:22; 16:32).

17. Second year. The second counted inclusively, reckoning as the first the year in which they left Egypt. The 1st anniversary of the Exodus came two weeks later, on the 15th of the 1st month (see p. 187).

On the first day. Verses 17 to 33 record the actual rearing of the tabernacle. Owing to its portable nature this could easily be done in one day.

18. Fastened his sockets. Inasmuch as the “sockets,” or bases, were laid flat on the ground, the word “fastened” should be rendered “set” or “placed.” The “pillars” supported the inner “vail” and also the hangings at the east end, or entrance, of the sanctuary (ch. 26:31, 32, 36, 37).

19. The tent over the tabernacle. Here the distinction between the “tent,” the “tabernacle,” and the “covering” is clarified. The “tent” was the goats’ hair covering and the wooden framework that supported it. Over this was the “covering” of rams’ and seals’ skins (ch. 26:14).

25. He lighted the lamps. Moses, as a type of the great High Priest, Christ (Heb. 4:15; 8:1, 2) himself inaugurated the service of the sanctuary. Not only did he light the “lamps” and burn “sweet incense,” but he offered upon the altar of burnt offering the first evening sacrifice, “the burnt offering and the meat offering” (Ex. 29:38–41; 40:29).

30. He set the laver. Verses 31 and 32 are thrown in parenthetically to explain the purpose of the laver concerning which no explanation had yet been given.

33. Moses finished. The fabrication of the tabernacle was completed prior to its erection. After the gospel has been preached to the whole world, then the “elect” will be gathered (Matt. 24:14, 31). Then every “living stone” (1 Kings 6:7; 1 Peter 2:4, 5) that has been shaped and finished after the divine similitude will take its place in the temple of God (Rev. 3:12). We are now building the characters that are one day to become part of that eternal dwelling place (Matt. 6:19–21; 7:24–29). When once the preparatory labors in connection with the kingdom of God have been finished, in accordance with the plan, no time will be lost in setting it up in its full glory. Christ will then appear and His people will appear with Him (Col. 3:4).

Just as the rearing of the tabernacle prepared it to be the abiding place of the Lord, so the glorification of the church will open the way for “the tabernacle of God” to be “with men” (Rev. 21:3). As the people participated with Moses in the construction of the earthly sanctuary, so Christ invites us to be fellow workers with Him in the building of His church (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:19–21; 6:1). When the tabernacle was reared, nothing was lacking to make it perfect. Thus will it be when the church is finally glorified (Eph. 5:27).

34. A cloud. Literally, “the cloud.” This cloud had led Israel from Succoth onward (chs. 13:20–22; 14:19, 20, 24; 19:9; 24:15–18). For a time it also attended the temporary “tent of meeting” (ch. 33:7–10) but now “covered” the tabernacle as “the glory of the Lord filled” it.

The glory of the Lord. How eagerly the people must have crowded around to gaze upon the sacred structure. And while they watched with reverent satisfaction, the pillar of cloud floated majestically over the sanctuary, descended, and enveloped it. Thus God demonstrated His approval of all that had been done. The Lord accepted the house that had been prepared for Him, and entered it. With deep emotion the people beheld the token that the work of their hands was accepted (PP 349, 350). They now realized that God would Himself dwell among them and journey with them (Num. 9:15–23).

The book of Exodus appropriately closes with a sublime manifestation of the glory and power of God. It ends as the history of this world will end, with the descent of the glory of the Lord to dwell among men (Rev. 21:3; 22:5).

Ellen G. White comments

12-16PP 359

17   PP 374

20   PP 349

21   CW 172

30   2T 611

34   PP 349, 359; 6T 468

34, 35  MH 437; SR 156

36, 37  PP 376

36-38SR 156