Exodus 40 brings the book to a triumphant conclusion. After chapters of instruction, preparation, and construction, the moment has finally arrived: the Tabernacle is set up. The glory of God, which had been a terrifying fire on the mountain, now moves down to dwell in the midst of the camp. The chapter details the precise arrangement of the furniture, the anointing of the priests, and culminates in the cloud of God’s presence filling the Tabernacle—signifying that God has accepted the work and has taken up residence with His people.
1. The Divine Setup Instructions (Exodus 40:1–15 NLT)
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Set up the Tabernacle on the first day of the new year. 3 Place the Ark of the Covenant inside, and hang the inner curtain to shield the Ark from view. 4 Then bring in the table, and arrange the utensils on it. And bring in the lampstand, and set up the lamps. 5 Place the gold incense altar in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Then hang the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 6 Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the Tabernacle entrance. 7 Set the washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water. 8 Then set up the courtyard around the outside of the tent, and hang the curtain for the courtyard entrance. 9 Take the anointing oil and anoint the Tabernacle and everything in it. Consecrate it and all its furnishings, and they will be holy. 10 Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and its utensils to consecrate them. Then the altar will become most holy. 11 Next anoint the washbasin and its stand to consecrate them. 12 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water. 13 Clothe Aaron with the sacred garments and anoint him, setting him apart to serve me as a priest. 14 Then bring his sons and dress them in their tunics. 15 Anoint them as you did their father, so they may also serve me as priests. With their anointing, their priesthood will continue from generation to generation.”
Commentary:
- New Year’s Day (v. 2): The Tabernacle was set up on the “first day of the first month” of the second year. This marks a new beginning for Israel—a transition from a redeemed people to a worshipping nation.
- Order of Operations (v. 3–8): God instructs Moses to work from the inside out: Ark first (Presence), then Table/Lampstand/Incense (Holy Place), then Altar/Basin (Courtyard). The focus is always on the centrality of God.
- Anointing (v. 9–11): To “anoint” means to smear with oil. This act set the object apart from common use. The altar became “most holy”—anything touching it was considered holy (Exodus 29:37).
- Priesthood Permanence (v. 15): The anointing of Aaron and his sons established a perpetual priesthood. This foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 7:24).
Insight: God is a God of order. He didn’t say, “Just throw it all in the tent.” The specific arrangement teaches us that approaching God requires reverence and following His prescribed path.
2. Moses Executes the Plan (Exodus 40:16–33 NLT)
16 Moses proceeded to do everything just as the Lord had commanded him. 17 So the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year. 18 Moses erected the Tabernacle by setting down its bases, inserting the frames, attaching the crossbars, and setting up the posts. 19 Then he spread the coverings over the Tabernacle framework and put on the protective layers, just as the Lord had commanded him. 20 He took the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant and placed them inside the Ark. Then he attached the carrying poles to the Ark, and he set the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of it. 21 Then he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tabernacle and hung the inner curtain to shield it from view, just as the Lord had commanded him. 22 Next he placed the table in the Tabernacle, on the north side of the room, outside the inner curtain. 23 He arranged the Bread of the Presence on the table before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him. 24 He set the lampstand in the Tabernacle across the room from the table, on the south side. 25 Then he lit the lamps in the Lord’s presence, just as the Lord had commanded him. 26 He placed the gold incense altar in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain. 27 Then he burned the fragrant incense on it, just as the Lord had commanded him. 28 He hung the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle, 29 and he placed the altar of burnt offering near the Tabernacle entrance. He offered a burnt offering and a grain offering on it, just as the Lord had commanded him. 30 Next he placed the washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar. He filled it with water so the priests could wash themselves. 31 Moses and Aaron and his sons used water from it to wash their hands and feet. 32 Whenever they approached the altar and entered the Tabernacle, they washed themselves, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work.
Commentary:
- “Just as the Lord commanded” (v. 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32): This phrase acts as a refrain, hammering home the point of total obedience. Moses didn’t improvise; he followed the blueprint.
- The Bread and the Light (v. 23, 25): Notice that the table (sustenance) and the lampstand (light) are placed opposite each other. Word and Spirit, Bread and Light, always go together in the believer’s life.
- Finished the Work (v. 33): This echoes Genesis 2:2. The creation of the cosmos and the creation of the sanctuary are parallel events. God creates a space for humanity; now humanity (through obedience) creates a space for God.
Insight: True success is defined by obedience. Moses “finished the work” not when it looked good, but when it matched what God said.
3. The Glory Descends (Exodus 40:34–38 NLT)
34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38 The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.
Commentary:
- The Glory Fills (v. 34): This is the climax of the entire book. The Hebrew word for glory is kabod (weight/heaviness). The sheer weight of God’s presence was so intense that it physically displaced humanity.
- Moses Locked Out (v. 35): Ironically, Moses—who had spoken with God face-to-face on the mountain—cannot enter the tent now. The holiness of God is so overwhelming that even the mediator must stand back. This sets the stage for the book of Leviticus, which answers the question: “How can a sinful man enter this holy tent?”
- The Cloud as Guide (v. 36-38): The cloud was not just a symbol; it was their GPS. God determined the pace. If the cloud stayed, they stayed. If it moved, they moved.
- Visible Presence (v. 38): For 40 years, every Israelite could look at the center of the camp and see the evidence of God. They were never alone.
Insight: The book ends not with laws or judgments, but with presence. The goal of redemption (Exodus 1-18) and covenant (Exodus 19-24) was always habitation (Exodus 25-40). God saved them to be with them.
Theological Significance of Exodus 40
- God with Us (Immanuel): The Tabernacle is the theological precursor to the Incarnation (John 1:14 says the Word “tabernacled” among us) and the Indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
- The Necessity of Holiness: The fact that Moses couldn’t enter shows that fellowship with God is not casual. It requires mediation and sacrifice (which Leviticus will provide).
- Sovereign Leadership: The cloud dictates the journey. The people had to learn to watch God more than the map.
- Obedience Brings Glory: The glory didn’t fall until the work was “finished” according to the command. We can’t expect God’s glory on our own inventions.
Practical Applications
- Start Your “New Year” Right: Use milestones in your life to set things in order. Is your “inner tabernacle” arranged correctly, with God at the center?
- Wait for the Cloud: Don’t move until God moves. Impatience leads to wandering; waiting leads to guidance.
- Look for the Fire: In your darkest nights, remember that the “fire inside the cloud” is still there. God’s presence often glows brightest when our circumstances are darkest.
- Finish the Work: Whatever God has called you to do, finish it. Don’t leave your obedience half-done.
Possible Sermon Titles from the Chapter
- When the Glory Comes Down.
- Locked Out of Church: The Weight of Holiness.
- The GPS of God: Following the Cloud.
- Finished Work, Filled Tent.
- New Year, New Dwelling.
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