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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》