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Exodus Chapter
Forty
Exodus 40
Chapter Contents
The tabernacle is to be set up, Aaron and his sons to be
sanctified. (1-15) Moses performs all as directed. (16-33) The glory of the
Lord fills the tabernacle. (34-38)
Commentary on Exodus 40:1-15
(Read Exodus 40:1-15)
When a new year begins, we should seek to serve God
better than the year before. In half a year the tabernacle was completed. When
the hearts of numbers are earnest in a good cause, much may be done in a short
time; and when the commandments of God are continually attended to, as the rule
of working, all will be done well. The high-priesthood was in the family of
Aaron till Christ came, and in Him, the substance of all these shadows, it
continues for ever.
Commentary on Exodus 40:16-33
(Read Exodus 40:16-33)
When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were
prepared, they did not put off rearing it till they came to Canaan; but, in
obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp. Those
who are unsettled in the world, must not think that this will excuse want of
religion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be
settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is very needful, even in a
wilderness, especially as we may be in another world before we come to fix in
this. And we may justly fear lest we should deceive ourselves with a form of
godliness. The thought that so few entered Canaan, should warn young persons
especially, not to put off the care of their souls.
Commentary on Exodus 40:34-38
(Read Exodus 40:34-38)
The cloud covered the tabernacle even in the clearest
day; it was not a cloud which the sun scatters. This cloud was a token of God's
presence to be seen day and night, by all Israel, that they might never again
question, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? It guided the camp of Israel
through the wilderness. While the cloud rested on the tabernacle, they rested;
when it removed, they followed it. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
In light and fire the Shechinah made itself visible: God is Light; our God is a
consuming Fire. Yet so dazzling was the light, and so dreadful the fire, that
Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, till the splendour
was abated. But what Moses could not do, our Lord Jesus has done, whom God
caused to draw near; and who has invited us to come boldly, even to the
mercy-seat. Being taught by the Holy Spirit to follow the example of Christ, as
well as to depend upon him, to attend his ordinances, and obey his precepts, we
shall be kept from losing our way, and be led in the midst of the paths of
judgment, till we come to heaven, the habitation of his holiness. BLESSED BE
GOD FOR JESUS CHRIST!
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Exodus》
Exodus 40
Verse 2
[2] On
the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent
of the congregation.
The time for doing this is, On the first day
of the first month - This wanted but fourteen days of a year since they came
out of Egypt. Probably the work was made ready just at the end of the year, so
that the appointing this day gave no delay. In Hezekiah's time they began to
sanctify the temple on the first day of the first month, 2 Chronicles 29:17. The new moon (which by their
computation was the first day of every month) was observed by them with some
solemnity; and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made
remarkable.
Verse 15
[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.
Their anointing shall be an everlasting
priesthood — A seal that their priesthood shall
continue as long as the Jewish polity lasts. He signifies that this unction
should be sufficient for all succeeding priests. None were afterwards anointed
but the high-priests.
Verse 34
[34] Then
a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled
the tabernacle.
As when God had finished this earth, which he
designed for man's habitation, he made man, and put him in possession of it; so
when Moses had finished the tabernacle, which was designed for God's
dwelling-place among men, God came and took possession of it. By these visible
tokens of his coming among them, he testified both the return of his favour,
which they had forfeited by the golden calf, and his gracious acceptance of
their care and pains about the tabernacle. Thus God shewed himself well-pleased
with what they had done, and abundantly rewarded them.
A cloud covered the tent — The same cloud which, as the chariot or pavilion of the Shechinah, had
come up before them out of Egypt, now settled upon the tabernacle, and hovered
over it, even in the hottest and clearest day; for it was none of those clouds
which the sun scatters. This cloud was intended to be a token of God's
presence, constantly visible day and night to all Israel. A protection of the
tabernacle: they had sheltered it with one covering upon another, but after
all, the cloud that covered it was its best guard: And a guide to the camp of
Israel in their march through the wilderness. While the cloud continued on the
tabernacle, they rested; when it removed, they removed and followed it, as
being purely under a divine conduct.
And the glory of the Lord filled the
tabernacle — The Shechinah now made an awful entry into
the tabernacle, passing through the outer part of it into the most holy place,
and there seating itself between the cherubim. It was in light and fire, and,
for ought we know, no other-wise, that the Shechinah made itself visible. With
these the tabernacle was now filled; yet as before the bush, so now the
curtains were not consumed, for, to those that have received the anointing, the
majesty of God is not destroying. Yet now so dazzling was the light, and so
dreadful was the fire, that Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the
congregation, at the door of which he attended, till the splendor was a little
abated, and the glory of the Lord retired within the veil. But what Moses could
not do, our Lord Jesus has done, whom God caused to draw near and approach, and
as the fore-runner he is for us entered, and has invited us to come boldly even
to the mercy-seat. He was able to enter into the holy place not made with
hands; he is himself the true tabernacle, filled with the glory of God, even
with that divine grace and truth which were figured by this fire and light. In
him the Shechinah took up its rest for ever, for in him dwells all the fulness
of the Godhead bodily.
──
John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Exodus》
40 Chapter 40
Verses 1-38
Set up the Tabernacle.
The primary and universal obligation to the worship of Jehovah;
the proper means to its right performance, with their evidences and fruits
I. What is implied
in the injunction in the text?
1. The worship of Jehovah, at whose command the Tabernacle was
erected.
2. The setting up of the Tabernacle, at God’s command, implied that
He required a specific worship; and the doing this at the seasons expressed in
the text, that He called for especial homage at particular times, and in an
express manner; and a compliance with the direction was an evidence of
obedience to the will of Jehovah.
3. But further, this setting up of the Tabernacle at God’s command
implied His sovereign rule and authority among the Jews.
4. Again, as the setting up of the Tabernacle at God’s command
implied His sovereignty, so a compliance with the injunction or direction
implied a disposition to serve Him.
II. How it may be
carried into effect by us.
1. It may be done by our punctual and devout attendance on Divine
worship.
2. If we would carry the injunction in the text into effect suitably,
we must duly observe and keep all the ordinances of God’s house.
3. I observe that the spirit of the commandment before us will be
carried into effect in a more especial manner by us if we make Christ the Alpha
and Omega--the beginning and the ending of all our religious worship--the great
object of faith and adoration in all our ceremonial observances.
4. Lastly, that your services may be suitable, acceptable, and
efficient, seek the teaching and direction of the Holy Spirit.
III. The evidences
which will prove that it has been done.
1. In the first place, if you have set up your Tabernacle; if you are
resolved that, whatever others do, as for you and your household ye will serve
the Lord; and if you are enabled to approach Him in a suitable disposition, and
by a right faith; then you will enjoy in your own souls all the blessings of
His house, and the blessedness of those whom He causes to come near unto Him.
2. If you have set up your Tabernacle, and are led by the Spirit to
serve God with your spirit, then you will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit
(Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 4:11).
3. If we have set up our Tabernacle, and serve God in His Son, are
led by His Spirit, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, then we shall be
prepared for the rewards of the righteous, and to stand before the Son of man
“at His appearing and His kingdom.”
Lessons:
1. As the command for the erection of the Tabernacle is given us by
God, and every direction respecting it comes from Him, what presumption is it
in any man to go about the formation of a different Tabernacle after his own
fancy!
2. As the setting up of the Tabernacle was to be done forthwith at
God’s commandment, and for the whole congregation, what madness for any to
think of postponing the duty to a more convenient season!
3. As the Tabernacle is erected for God’s service, was to be resorted
to at stated times, and attendance upon it is designed for our greatest
good--as a Bethel, a house of mercy, a Bethesda, from which we may derive
healing, how should we prize seasons, and means, and opportunities, of
attending it! (J. Allport.)
The setting up of the Tabernacle on New Year’s Day
Out of materials specially provided by Him who holds in His hands
the springs of action in men, and by artizans inspired by an extraordinary
skill, and according to the pattern given to Moses, the Tabernacle was
prepared, every part made ready and stored up for the day of erection. But God
named that day Himself, and Moses waited for it.
I. And now I would
have you notice the special day which God selected. It was the first day of the
first month--that is, New Year’s Day; and the reason of this choice is of
course to be looked for in a benevolent regard to the religious good of the
Jewish people. It would fix a suitable season for a commemorative festival of
the great blessing vouchsafed to Israel by a Tabernacle for the Divine presence
among them--a festival, be it remarked, that was not forgotten by them in after
times, for we read that, in the revival of religion under Hezekiah, it was on
the first day of the first month that the House of God was sanctified for the
pious and pure worship of the Lord. Moreover, this selection would, I suppose,
make New Year’s Day, in the Jewish calendar, a day of religious observance.
Consider, first, that the Christian’s body and the Christian’s spirit are
together the Tabernacle of God. He is “an habitation of God through the
Spirit.” “Know ye not,” saith the apostle to the Corinthian Christians, “that
ye are the temples of the Holy Ghost?” “He that dwelleth in love,” writes John,
“dwelleth in God, and God in him.” And wherever this indwelling of God is,
there and there only is there a Christian man or a Christian woman; wherever
there is this indwelling of God, there and there only is the true antitype of
the beautiful Tabernacle which was set up on the first day of the first month
in the Jewish calendar. This is the true Tabernacle, too, in which God rests
for ever, because He delights therein. Now mark: such a wonderful Tabernacle
like that which was put up by Moses on the first day of the first month can
only be made of materials which God has selected, and which God has gathered
together for that work; for the light and the elements and the features and
graces of the Christian character are His gift, such as holy trust, humble
desire, love, meekness, gratefulness, praise, prayer, and joy in Christ. And
again, those materials must be wrought up and combined according to the pattern
which has been shown to us in the mount. Marvellous pattern! the living model
of the character of Jesus, the true Tabernacle of the Father.
II. Israel’s
obedience is exemplary to those who are already Christian men. There is some
new work now for God to be done, or some old work for God to be done in a new
spirit. For instance, responsibility of time to be more felt, and its
management and use arranged with an increased Christian conscientiousness. The
dedication of self to the Saviour has to be renewed, and everywhere and always
remembered. Does not our work for Him who died for us want to be done secretly
in the heart, openly in the family, and in the church, and in the world, with a
new love, a new spirit, a new resoluteness, and a new will? Ah! a new year
summons a Christian in a new manner of spirit unto obedience to his Divine
Master. Let us, on such an occasion, listen to our Father’s voice, and on the
first day of the first month set up our Tabernacle; and then be assured that
through all the journeyings of the year, as upon the Tabernacle of Israel,
shall the tokens of the Divine presence rest upon us.
III. For notice, in
the next place, that on the first day of the first month, immediately the
Tabernacle was set, the cloud of the Lord was upon it by day, and the fire of
the Lord was upon it by night, and both continued to rest there through the
journeyings of the people. Oh! it must have been a marvellous phenomenon, that
under which the Almighty God thus certified His protection and guidance to the
people. And it was a necessary phenomenon, too, under their novel
circumstances. The desert was pathless, and they had no guide, and so by this
they were conducted in their journeyings. It was adapted, too, to meet their
wants: it was “the pillar of cloud by day” to screen them from the fierce sun,
and it was “the pillar of fire by night“ to light up the encampment and warm
the chill air. And is not Christian life a pilgrimage? Are we not strangers
upon earth, seeking a better, a heavenly Temple? Could we reach it without a
Divine Guide? And though we have not the same sensible proofs of God’s presence
which were granted to Israel, is it not most assuredly with us just as it was
with them? (C. P. Eyre, M. A.)
Tabernacle foreshadowings
The Tabernacle, as a whole, is a finger-post directing me to that
mystic Person in whom “God in very deed dwelt with man upon the earth.” Its
white-robed priest is the shadow of Him who was “holy, harmless, undefiled,”
and whom I recognize as my true High Priest. Its bleeding lamb laid upon the
altar is the likeness of that Lamb of God by whose precious blood I have been
redeemed from all iniquity; its innermost sanctuary is the type of that heaven
into which He has entered to make atonement for my sin; and its outer apartment
is the analogue of the present world, in which we are to serve Him with the
incense of our devotions, the light of our characters, and the fruit of our
lives. The incarnation in the person of Christ, the mediation and expiation of
His priestly work, and the consequent obligation under which His redeemed
people lie to honour Him with unceasing service and shining holiness--or,
putting it all into four words, incarnation, mediation, expiation,
consecration--these are the things of which the Tabernacle, with its furniture,
services, and attendants, were the special types; and as thus we condense its
teachings into their essence, we come to a larger and more comprehensive view
of the doctrines of the gospel itself, and discover that we have been studying
the same truths, only under a different form. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》