SETTING UP THE SANCTUARY EXODUS 40:1-38biblestudyworkshop.com/download/old/exodus/Exodus 40 by Wayne...

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Commentary and Questions by Wayne Harlan

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

SETTING UP THE SANCTUARY

EXODUS 40:1-38




SETTING UP THE SANCTUARY Text: Exodus 40:1-38, 1. Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 2. “On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. 3. You are to place the ark of the testimony in it and shield the ark with the special curtain. 4. You are to bring in the table and set out the things that belong on it; then you are to bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5. You are to put the gold altar for incense in front of the ark of the testimony and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 6. You are to put the altar for the burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. 7. You are to put the large basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. 8. You are to set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the gate of the courtyard. 9. And take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and sanctify it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. 10. Then you are to anoint the altar for the burnt offering with all its utensils; you are to sanctify the altar, and it will be the most holy altar. 11. You must also anoint the large basin and its pedestal, and you are to sanctify it.




12. “You are to bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 13. Then you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments and anoint him and sanctify him so that he may minister as my priest. 14. You are to bring his sons and clothe them with tunics 15. and anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may minister as my priests; their anointing will make them a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.” 16. This is what Moses did, according to all the Lord had commanded him—so he did. 17. So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month, in the second year. 18. When Moses set up the tabernacle and put its bases in place, he set up its frames, attached its bars, and set up its posts. 19. Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 20. He took the testimony and put it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark, and then put the atonement lid on the ark. 21. And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, hung the protecting curtain, and shielded the ark of the testimony from view, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 22. And he put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the curtain. 23. And he set the bread in order on it before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 24. And he put the lampstand in the tent of meeting opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle.




25. Then he set up the lamps before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 26. And he put the gold altar in the tent of meeting in front of the curtain, 27. and he burned fragrant incense on it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 28. Then he put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 29. He also put the altar for the burnt offering by the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 30. Then he put the large basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing. 31. Moses and Aaron and his sons would wash their hands and their feet from it. 32. Whenever they entered the tent of meeting, and whenever they approached the altar, they would wash, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33. And he set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar, and put the curtain at the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work. 34. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36. But when the cloud was lifted up from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on all their journeys; 37. but if the cloud was not lifted up, then they would not journey further until the day it was lifted up.




38. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, but fire would be on it at night, in plain view of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. (NET) Introduction: I. Main points.

A. Setting up the sanctuary. (1-33)

1. The most holy place.

a. The ark of the testimony.

b. The special curtain. 2. The Holy place.

a. The table of showbread.

b. The lampstand.

c. The gold altar of incense. 3. The courtyard.

a. The laver or large basin.

b. The altar for burnt offerings. 4. Sanctification.




a. The tabernacle and its furnishings.

b. The priests.

B. The obedience of Moses. (17-33

C. God dwells among His people. (34-38) Commentary: I. Setting up the sanctuary.

A. The tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the new year. It was completed in time to observe the first Passover anniversary.

1. Leviticus 23:5-6, In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, is a Passover offering to the Lord. Then on the fifteenth day of the same month will be the festival of unleavened bread to the Lord; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. (NET)

2. Exodus 13:3-4, 8-10, Moses said to the people, “Remember this day on which you came out from Egypt, from the place where you were enslaved, for the Lord brought you out of there with a mighty hand—and no bread made with yeast may be eaten. On this day, in the month of Abib, you are going out. You are to tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ It will be a




sign for you on your hand and a memorial on your forehead, so that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth, for with a mighty hand the Lord brought you out of Egypt. So you must keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year. (NET) 3. The naming of the month Abib (March-April) may have BEEN derived from the Canaanites and translated in Hebrew meaning “ear of corn.” This was changed in the post exilic period to Nisan using the Babylonian name.

a. Exodus 13:4, On this day, in the month of Abib, you are going out. (NET)

b. Esther 3:7, In the first month (that is, the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus’ reign, pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman in order to determine a day and a month. It turned out to be the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar). (NET)

4. These ancient calendars were based on agrarian cycles beginning with spring.

a. Exodus 12:1-2, The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month is to be your beginning of months; it will be your first month of the year. (NET)




B. The Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai three (3) months after leaving Egypt.

1. Exodus 19:1-2, In the third month after the Israelites went out from the land of Egypt, on the very day, they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they journeyed from Rephidim, they came to the Desert of Sinai, and they camped in the desert; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. (NET)

C. Moses was with the Lord on Mt. Sinai during two (2) forty (40) day periods and again when he interceded for the Israelites apostasy regarding the golden calf.

D. This would leave about six (6) months to construct the tabernacle for the beginning of the new year.

II. The furnishings of the tabernacle.

A. The ark of the testimony with the stone tablets was placed in the most holy place.

1. Exodus 25:21-22, You are to put the atonement lid on top of the ark, and in the ark you are to put the testimony I am giving you. I will meet with you there, and from above the atonement lid, from between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will command you for the Israelites. (NET)




2. Exodus 40:20, He took the testimony and put it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark, and then put the atonement lid on the ark. (NET)

B. The special curtain of blue, purple and scarlet thread and embroidered with cherubim was hung at the entrance of the most holy place to shield the ark from view and separate it from the holy place.

1. Exodus 26:33, You are to hang this curtain under the clasps and bring the ark of the testimony in there behind the curtain. The curtain will make a division for you between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. (NET)

C. The gold altar for incense was placed in the holy place in front of the special curtain of the most holy place.

1. Exodus 30:6-7, “You are to put it in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the testimony (before the atonement lid that is over the testimony), where I will meet you. Aaron is to burn sweet incense on it morning by morning; when he attends to the lamps he is to burn incense. (NET)

2. Psalm 141:2, May you accept my prayer like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering! (NET)




3. Luke 1:10, Now the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering. (NET)

D. The table of showbread was placed along the north wall of the holy place.

1. Exodus 25:30, You are to set the Bread of the Presence on the table before me continually. (NET)

E. The gold lampstand occupied the south wall.

1. Exodus 40:24, And he put the lampstand in the tent of meeting opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. (NET)

III. The courtyard.

A. The large bronze basin was located in the courtyard at the entrance of the tabernacle.

1. Exodus 30:18-20, “You are also to make a large bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. You are to put it between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it, and Aaron and his sons must wash their hands and their feet from it. When they enter the tent of meeting, they must wash with water so that they do not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by burning incense as an offering made by fire to the Lord, (NET)




B. The altar for the burnt offering was between the entrance to the courtyard and the bronze basin.

1. Exodus 40:6-7, You are to put the altar for the burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. You are to put the large basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. (NET)

IV. Sanctification (9-16)

A. Moses sanctified the tabernacle and all that was in it with the anointing oil.

1. Exodus 30:26-30, “With it you are to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar for the burnt offering and all its utensils, and the laver and its base. So you are to sanctify them, and they will be most holy; anything that touches them will be holy. “You are to anoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them, so that they may minister as my priests. (NET)

B. The sanctification had to be performed on Aaron and his sons. To act as priests for the Lord they were required to be made holy.




1. Just as the tabernacle and all that was in it had to be sanctified, so did those who would carry out the priestly duties.

a. Exodus 28:41, “You are to clothe them—your brother Aaron and his sons with him—and anoint them and ordain them and set them apart as holy, so that they may minister as my priests. (NET)

b. Leviticus 8:30, Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar and sprinkled it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons’ garments with him. So he consecrated Aaron, his garments, and his sons and his sons’ garments with him. (NET)

2. It is not recorded in this chapter but Moses was also required to consecrate Aaron and his sons. This was a seven (7) day long ceremony.

a. Exodus 29:35, “Thus you are to do for Aaron and for his sons, according to all that I have commanded you; you are to consecrate them for seven days. (NET)

b. Leviticus 8:33, And you must not go out from the entrance of the Meeting Tent for seven days, until the day when your days of ordination are completed, because you must be ordained over a seven-day period. (NET)




V. The obedience of Moses. (17-33)

A. Verses 17 through 33 are a repeat of the preceding verses stating that Moses did everything exactly as God had commanded.

B. The important thing to note in every verse from 19 through 32 describing the placement of the tabernacle and all of the fixtures is the phrase, “. . . just as the Lord commanded Moses.” Everything down to the smallest detail was done “just as the Lord commanded Moses.”

V. God dwells among his people. (34-38)

A. God showed His approval of the work that Moses and the Israelites had done by filling the tabernacle with His glory.

B. No one could enter the tabernacle while the cloud of God was on it.

1. The sinful nature of mankind prevented them from approaching the presence of God.

2. Even though Moses had found favor with God he was not able to enter the tabernacle.

3. This foretold the time that Jesus Christ would descend from the Father to dwell among us and bring the gift of the glory of God to all who would believe in Him.




a. John 1:14, Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. (NET)

C. The cloud of God directed the Israelites on their wilderness journey.

1. When the cloud ascended from the tabernacle they would follow it.

a. Exodus 40:36, But when the cloud was lifted up from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on all their journeys; (NET)

2. When the cloud rested they would rest.

a. Exodus 40:37, but if the cloud was not lifted up, then they would not journey further until the day it was lifted up. (NET)

D. During the day the Lord appeared as a cloud and by night a pillar of fire, just as He had earlier in their journey.

E. The visible presence of God was with the Israelites day and night guiding them to the land He had promised.

1. Exodus 13:21-22, Now the Lord was going before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them in the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel day or




night. He did not remove the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. (NET)

2. Numbers 9:15-17, 23, On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle—the tent of the testimony—and from evening until morning there was a fiery appearance over the tabernacle. This is the way it used to be continually: The cloud would cover it by day, and there was a fiery appearance by night. Whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the Israelites would begin their journey; and in whatever place the cloud settled, there the Israelites would make camp. At the commandment of the Lord they camped, and at the commandment of the Lord they traveled on; they kept the instructions of the Lord according to the commandment of the Lord, by the authority of Moses. (NET)

F. God protects and guides His people!

1. Psalm 9:10, Your loyal followers trust in you, for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help. (NET)

2. Psalm 33:12-13, How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen to be his special possession. The Lord watches from heaven; he sees all people. (NET)




3. Psalm 34:7, The Lord’s angel camps around the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them. (NET)

4. Psalm 43:3, Reveal your light and your faithfulness! They will lead me, they will escort me back to your holy hill, and to the place where you live. (NET)

Conclusion: I. God’s plan for establishing a nation for His chosen people continues to unfold.

A. The tabernacle is completed. God now has a place to dwell among His people.

B. This is the first earthly structure dedicated to worshiping the Lord God.

C. The tabernacle was designed to be transportable, yet it was elegant.

1. Gold and silver were used lavishly in the tabernacle and its furnishings.

D. The priest’s garments reflected the significance of their duties before the altar of God.

1. Exodus 28:3-4, You are to speak to all who are specially skilled, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, so that they may make Aaron’s




garments to set him apart to minister as my priest. Now these are the garments that they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a fitted tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make holy garments for your brother Aaron and for his sons, that they may minister as my priests. (NET)

2. Psalm 29:2, Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation! Worship the Lord in holy attire! (NET)

3. NET, page 197, SN 2 “. . . these clothes were to exalt the office of the high priest as well as beautify the worship of God.”

II. The presence of the Lord was always with the Israelites.

A. When the time was right He made His presence and His plan known to Moses.

1. Exodus 3:1-2, 7, Now Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to the mountain of God, to Horeb. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. He looked—and the bush was ablaze with fire, but it was not being consumed! The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt. I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. (NET)




B. He was their shield as the ten (10) plagues afflicted the Egyptians.

1. Exodus 12:12-13, I will pass through the land of Egypt in the same night, and I will attack all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of humans and of animals, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, so that when I see the blood I will pass over you, and this plague will not fall on you to destroy you when I attack the land of Egypt. (NET)

C. He was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

1. Exodus 13:21, Now the Lord was going before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them in the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel day or night. (NET)

D. When they were without food and water in the desert he provided manna and water for them.

1. Exodus 16:12-15, “I have heard the murmurings of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘During the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be satisfied with bread, so that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’” In




the evening the quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning a layer of dew was all around the camp. When the layer of dew had evaporated, there on the surface of the desert was a thin flaky substance, thin like frost on the earth. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” because they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you for food. (NET)

2. Exodus 17:5-6, The Lord said to Moses, “Go over before the people; take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile and go. I will be standing before you there on the rock in Horeb, and you will strike the rock, and water will come out of it so that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in plain view of the elders of Israel. (NET)

E. He continued to manifest Himself to Moses and the Israelites in a cloud.

1. Exodus 19:11, 18, and be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Now Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire, and its smoke went up like the smoke of a great furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. (NET)




2. Exodus 24:16, The glory of the Lord resided on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day he called to Moses from within the cloud. (NET)

3. Exodus 33:9-10, And whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. When all the people would see the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people, each one at the entrance of his own tent, would rise and worship. (NET)

4. Exodus 33:14, And the Lord said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (NET)

F. How fitting that the book of Exodus ends with the cloud of God descending to dwell with the Israelites; the visible symbol of His presence and protection to His chosen people during their journey.

1. Exodus 40:34, 38, Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, but fire would be on it at night, in plain view of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. (NET)




2. Psalm 99:7, He spoke to them from a pillar of cloud; they obeyed his regulations and the ordinance he gave them. (NET)

3. Isaiah 4:5, Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over its convocations a cloud and smoke by day and a bright flame of fire by night; indeed a canopy will accompany the Lord’s glorious presence. (NET)

III. The cloud symbolizes the second coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

A. Daniel 7:13-14, I was watching in the night visions, “And with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man was approaching. He went up to the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty. All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving him. His authority is eternal and will not pass away. His kingdom will not be destroyed. (NET)

B. Luke 21:27, Then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory. (NET)

C. Acts 1:9-11, After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into




heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.” (NET)




Questions

on

Exodus 40:1-38

1. The tabernacle was completed on the first day of the first month of the year. Explain why this date is significant. ________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. The ________________ separated the most holy place from the holy place. 3. In the holy place the ________________ ________________ was placed in front of the special curtain. 4. Moses placed _____________________ in the Most Holy Place. Was there anything placed inside? _________________________ 5. The curtain of the most holy place was embroidered with _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________. 6. Describe what the repetition of the phrase “. . . just as the Lord commanded Moses.” tells us. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. The book of Exodus ends with the cloud of the Lord descending on the tabernacle. Explain the significance of this. __ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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