Exodus 40

Exodus 40: The Tabernacle is erected, and the Glory of the LORD fills it

Synopsis

Now that the work on the Tabernacle is finished, it’s time to set it up. The LORD comes to Moses, and instructs him on everything he is to set up: the Tent of Meeting, the Ark, the table and lampstand, the Altar of Incense, the Altar of Burnt Offering, the basin, and the basin.

Moses is also to take the anointing oil, and anoint all of these articles. He is to consecrate everything, so that it will be holy.

Aaron and his sons are then to be brought to the entrance, and washed with water. They are to put on the garments that have been created for them, and consecrated to serve the LORD as priests.

Moses did everything the LORD commanded him, to set up the Tabernacle and all of its furnishings and articles. And then the Glory of the LORD arrived:

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels.

(verses 36–38)

Thoughts

This is the last chapter of the book of Exodus. After all of the problems the Israelites have had, it’s nice to end the book on a high note: The Israelites do all they are commanded to do, in building the Tabernacle, and the Glory of the LORD descends to fill it.