Ex. 40: Let's Set It Up

Exodus draws to a close. A couple things happen here: firstly, the tabernacle is assembled. Secondly, God's presence comes down and fills it.

It was to be set up on the first day of the first month.

The ark was the first to be placed in it, and then shielded with the curtain.

The table was second, and everything was brought out that was supposed to be on it.

Then the lampstand and its lamps.

The gold altar of incense was to be set up in front of the ark, and then the entrance curtain to the tabernacle.

The altar of burnt offering was set up in front of the entrance to the tabernacle. The basin was to be set up between the altar and the entrance. Then the courtyard was to be set up around it, and then the curtain to the entrance of the courtyard was to be put in place. It was set up from the inside out, kind of like putting all your furniture in place on your property, and then putting a house around it.

The anointing oil was next, and it was used to consecrate all the furnishings in the tabernacle, to make them holy.

Then Aaron was brought in, and washed up. He was dress in the garments, and then anointed, as were his sons.

The Bible says Moses set it all up, but I bet he probably had some help. After all, some were made to be carried by four people, with the acacia poles and all that. Every single thing here was done as God commanded him. In fact, that phrase, "as the LORD commanded him" is repeated several times, after just about every action.

In verse 33, it says that Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and put up the curtain. And Moses finished the work. It was complete.

God's presence physically manifested itself by a cloud. It filled the tent of Meeting, so Moses could not enter it. This was how the Israelites knew when to stay put and when to move on. When the cloud does not lift off the Tent of Meeting, it was time to stay. When the cloud lifted off, it was time to go. By day, a cloud. By night, fire in the cloud. And every Israelite saw it. I always thought that it was a cloud of fire (which my Sunday School teacher said), not that there was fire in the cloud, which the Bible seems to indicate.

So, Exodus is done. I am looking forward to more great poetry and stories in Leviticus!