What I Noticed Today (Exodus 40)
Exodus 40
Note: It’s been 50 weeks since the Israelites escaped from Egypt, and they have been camped out at Mt. Sinai for nine months!
Note: All the materials for the construction of the tabernacle have been completed and inspected, and are ready to go, but Moses waits for instructions from God as to what to do next.
In verses 1-16, God gives Moses instructions for assembling all the elements of the tabernacle courtyard and the tent of meeting.
- On their New Year’s Day, God tells Moses exactly how He wants the tabernacle to be assembled, and where all of the furnishings are to be placed.
- God also gives Moses instructions for anointing and consecrating all the elements of the tabernacle.
- Then Moses was to bring Aaron, and his sons have them washed. Cloth Aaron in his holy garments and have him anointed and consecrated so he can serve God as His priest.
- Have Aaron’s sons come forward and have them clothed in their tunics and anoint them so they may also serve Me as priests.
- Moses did everything God commanded exactly as God told him.
In verses 17-33, Moses finishes setting up the tabernacle:
- On the first day of the first month of their second year, Moses set up the bases of the tabernacle and spread out the tent over it just as the Lord commanded.
- Moses placed the testimony and the ark with the Mercy Seat inside the Holy of Holies behind the veil, just as the Lord commanded.
- Moses placed the table with the showbread in the tent along with the lamp and the lampstand just as the Lord commanded.
- Moses placed the gold altar in front of the veil inside the tent of meeting and burned incense on it just as the Lord commanded.
- He placed the curtain at the front of the tent of meeting and placed the altar for burnt offerings at the entrance, just as the Lord commanded him.
- Moses placed the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and feet in it whenever they approached the tent of meeting just as the Lord commanded.
- Finally, Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle.
In verses 34-38, the Lord’s glory descended upon the tent of meeting:
- When that work was done the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
- Moses was unable to enter the tent because the glory of the Lord filled the tent.
- The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tent of meeting.
- The cloud filled the tabernacle during the day, and fire filled the cloud at night.
- It was visible to all the Israelites throughout their journey.
What an amazing day this must have been!
Some additional thoughts for consideration:
- I have a tendency to get involved in a project and rush ahead. Sometimes I know it is a project God has for me, but I keep going without waiting for God’s instructions. Moses displayed great wisdom as a leader here. He did exactly what God commanded, and as each phase of the project was completed, he waited until God told him what to do next.
- I need to learn to be more patient and willing to wait upon the Lord!
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
