Exodus 40

Review

I tried to give an overview of the instructions for building the tabernacle last week. A place for Him to come down from Heaven and for the people to be brought up from Earth and there we fellowship together. This could only be done in perfect holiness and obedience because any sin or sinner in the presence of God without mediation is immediately put to death. The tabernacle had to be portable because of the wandering that was judgement for the rebellion at Sinai.

God’s Instructions for Setting up the Tabernacle

Ark of the Testimony

Exodus 40:1–3 KJV

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

Wooden chest overlaid with gold and housed in the inner sanctum of the tabernacle in the desert and eventually in the Temple when it was built in Jerusalem. Holding the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments of the Law that would be given to Moses (Ex 25:16); a pot of manna, the miraculous food provided by God (Ex 16:33), and Aaron’s rod that had budded (Nm 17:10; Heb 9:4).

The real significance of the Ark of the Covenant was what took place involving the lid of the box, known as the "Mercy Seat." The term ‘mercy seat’ comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to cover, placate, appease, cleanse, cancel or make atonement for.” It was here that the high priest, only once a year (Leviticus 16), entered the Holy of Holies where the Ark was kept and atoned for his sins and the sins of the Israelites. The priest sprinkled blood of a sacrificed animal onto the Mercy Seat to appease the wrath and anger of God for past sins committed. This was the only place in the world where this atonement could take place.

The Mercy Seat on the Ark was a symbolic foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice for all sin—the blood of Christ shed on the cross for the remission of sins.

The veil separated the Holy of Holies—the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence—from the rest of the temple where men dwelt. This signified that man was separated from God by sin (Isaiah 59:1-2). Only the high priest was permitted to pass beyond this veil once each year (Exodus 30:10; Hebrews 9:7) to enter into God’s presence for all of Israel and make atonement for their sins (Leviticus 16).

The Table of the Presence and The Lamp stand

Exodus 40:4 KJV

4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

Table made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold that held the Bread of Presence or showbread. The Old Testament showbread placed on the table in the tabernacle that is a wonderful picture of Jesus, the Bread of Life. Jesus is holy before God, He provides true sustenance, and He is always present. “Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry’” (John 6:35).

Heb 9:1-2 “1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.”

The lampstand would serve as a symbol then of the 12 tribes of Israel and now of people’s connection with Yahweh and the anticipation of His full light shining upon them. Jesus also calls His church the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), not of their own doing but because Christ is abiding in the church (John 1:4–5). A Christian who is shining with the light of Christ will live a godly life (1 Peter 2:9). Scripture is overflowing with references that compare and contrast light and darkness, believer and unbeliever, right up through the book of Revelation. In Revelation 1:20 Christ says the “seven lampstands are the seven churches.” The churches of Christ are to walk in the light of God (1 John 1:7) and spread the light of the gospel so that all people will glorify God (Matthew 5:16). There is other symbolism in the lampstand: it was made of one piece, as Christ is one with His church (Colossians 1:8); the six branches (6 being the number of man) plus the main shaft equals seven lights (7 being the number of completion)—man is only complete in Christ (John 15:5).

The Altar of Incense

Exodus 40:5–6 KJV

5 And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle. 6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

Altar of Incense

Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight, every day, as a regular offering to the Lord (Exodus 30:7–8). The fire to burn the incense was to be from the Altar of Burnt Offering outside the sanctuary.

The altar of incense, then, can be seen as a symbol of the prayers of God’s people. Our prayers ascend to God as the smoke of the incense ascended in the sanctuary. As the incense was burned with fire from the altar of burnt offering, our prayers must be kindled with heaven’s grace. The fact that the incense was always burning means that we should always pray (Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

The altar of incense can also be seen as a picture of the intercession of Christ. Just as the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard was a type of Christ’s death on our behalf, the altar of incense in the Holy Place was a type of Christ’s mediation on our behalf—Christ’s work on earth and in heaven. The altar of incense was situated before the mercy-seat of the Ark—a picture of our Advocate’s standing in the presence of the Father (Hebrews 7:25; 9:24). The incense was to be burning continually on the altar of incense, which shows the perpetual nature of Christ’s mediation. Christ’s intercession on our behalf is a sweet-smelling savor to God.

The Laver

Exodus 40:7 KJV

7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

It is significant that the bronze laver was the last object to be encountered before entering the tabernacle (Exodus 40:6–7). Before entering God’s presence, one must be cleansed. The Levitical priests had to continually wash to ready themselves for the presence of Holy God, but Jesus Christ fulfilled all the Law (Matthew 5:17). When Christ died, His people were cleansed once for all time by His blood shed on the cross. We no longer need a ritualistic washing with water to come before God, because Christ has “provided purification for sins” (Hebrews 1:3). Now we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16), being sure that we are acceptable to Him because we are spiritually clean.

The Court

Exodus 40:8 KJV

8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

I. This court may be AN EMBLEM OF THAT SACRED ENCLOSURE WHICH ALWAYS SURROUNDS THE CHURCH. "A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse." God Himself, with all His infinite perfections and attributes, is round about His people. Every attribute of God is a pillar in our protecting wall, power, sovereignty, justice, righteousness, truth and faithfulness, appear in perfect harmony with love, benevolence, mercy, tenderness, compassion and goodness. All unite to uphold the separating wall between the Church and the world.

II. We may look upon this court as emblematical of THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF CHRIST. Only the true Christian can enter into Christ, but a sinner may read His life. As the court led to the Tabernacle, so the reading of the life of Christ has often been the means of the soul believing in Jesus. In the life of Christ we have a perfect model for the Christian's imitation. Christ has left us an example that we should follow His steps.

III. We may view the court of the Tabernacle as AN EMBLEM OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. We cannot come to God without entering the court of revelation. He that loves the Bible has entered the outer court of the Tabernacle. Reverence for the Word of God is a good sign.

IV. The court of the Tabernacle was A PLACE OF WORSHIP. Here the Israelites came with their various sacrifices; and here God accepted them. If we would be accepted by God, we must observe God's order, and come to the place He has appointed. We must also come in a right spirit.

V. In the court of the Tabernacle we have A FIGURE OF THE PROFESSING CHURCH.

1. Not all who entered the court entered the Tabernacle. Not all who make a profession of religion possess it. The heart, as well as the lip, must be right. The court was the way to the Tabernacle. There is no evidence that a man possesses grace while he neglects the means of grace. If a man has no love to God's house, he can have no love to God. If we have no desire to be numbered with God's people, there cannot be much desire after God Himself.

(R. E. Sears.)

The Anointing Oil and Anointing of the Tabernacle

Exodus 40:9–11 KJV

9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. 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. 11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

Oil is often used as a symbol for the Holy Spirit in the Bible as in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Christians have the Spirit who leads us into all truth and “anoints” us continually with His grace and comfort. “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth” (1 John 2:20).

Oil had sanctifying (cleansing) properties. Whenever someone poured oil on someone or something, they had set apart that object as a blessed object of the Lord.

The Anointing and Dressing of Aaron and his sons

Exodus 40:12–16 KJV

12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. 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. 14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: 15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. 16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.

The Tabernacle is Set Up

Exodus 40:17–33 KJV

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. 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. 19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses. 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: 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 the LORD commanded Moses. 22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail. 23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses. 24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. 25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. 26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail: 27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses. 28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle. 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 the LORD commanded Moses. 30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal. 31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: 32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses. 33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

7 Times “as the Lord commanded Moses

The Glory of Yahweh

Exodus 40:34–38 KJV

34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

God moves in and is present with His people. His glory and holiness is so present at this moment, not even Moses was able to go in. Moses and the people of Israel had obeyed precisely all the commands of God in building the sanctuary that God would dwell in

God had given them the instructions and grace to build the “portable” Mount Sinai where God would meet with and guide them on the journey to Canaan. If Sinai was God’s “home” on earth, the Tabernacle would be God’s “home” with his people as they traveled

This passage explains how that would happen. When God moves, the people move. When God stay’s put, so do they. It’s not ours but God’s plan and purpose fulfilled in Israel and the church making it to Canaan. We will get to the Promised Land ONLY by God’s guidance and direction, by His will and in His time!

Conclusion

So we come to the end of the Book of Exodus

Hebrews 3:1-4:13 is an explicit and pretty extensive “commentary” on the Exodus. The basic analogy the writer of Hebrews draws is that Israel’s desert wanderings correspond to the daily life of the church on it’s way to the promised land.

Let’s think of the book of Exodus for a minute, like a big Hollywood movie. It opened up giving us some background of the main characters. Throughout the movie we’ve had moments of tension and drama. We’ve seen failure and falling leading to mercy and forgiveness and restoration. Exodus is a great and beautiful story because it’s true. I have been so blessed to study this Book in part because, like a really great movie, it resonates so much with me. I can see so much of myself in the failure of Israel. I feel the weight of gods around me and the life I was called out of holding me captive. I can think of the times on I have been on top of the mountain as well as the times I was at the foot of the mountain worshiping false gods. This is just since I’ve been saved, not to mention the hell I was headed for before then. If you’re honest with yourself, this is you too.

Ephesians 2:1–3 KJV

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But in the Exodus movie the forgiveness and mercy also resonate with us. If you’re still dead in your sins, and that fact has just begun to dawn on you, you may start to feel panic at your need of a savior because you can’t do it yourself. If you have been saved, we relate to the fear of what the future may hold and the journey through life’s ups and downs and being tossed against the rocks at times of loss and hurt and anger. We can feel in our very soul our need for the all powerful, wise, loving, and holy God of the Bible to carry us at times and lead us always.

Ephesians 2:4–10 KJV

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This last chapter of Exodus is the end of the movie. The camera begins to pan out but rather than the family at the picnic table, all laughing and fixing their plates in just such a way that we know there’s a “happily ever after”. Instead, picture a western. As the credits begin to roll as the camera pans out, we begin to see the trail in front of the wagon we know is heading west to the coast, and fertile soil, and a future full of blessings for generations to come. Yet as the camera pans more, we see desert, and danger, and mountains, and death.

The last chapter of Exodus is not the end of the story but rather introducing the next part. It’s one more step in the progression from creation through consummation, from beginning to grand finale. One more chapter in the book that shows God getting ALL the glory as He rescues creation from the fall and redeems a chosen people to a heavenly eternity more perfect than any of us can imagine.