II. THE ADOPTION OF ISRAEL 15:22-40:38The second major section of Exodus records the events associated with God’s adoption of Israel as His chosen people. Having redeemed Israel out of slavery in Egypt He now made the nation His privileged son. Redemption is the end of one journey but the beginning of another. read more
The Tabernacle Erected1-16. Moses is commanded to uprear the Tabernacle and consecrate it, together with its furniture, and the priests by anointing them.2. On the first day of the first month] i.e. of the month Abib (see on Exodus 12:2, Exodus 12:41) in the second year after the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 40:17). They left Egypt on the fifteenth day of Abib, and arrived at Sinai in the third month: see Exodus 19:1.4. The things to be set upon it] i.e. the shewbread (see Exodus 40:23 and on... read more
An Account of the Construction of the Tabernacle and its FurnitureThis section is an almost verbal repetition of Exodus 25-31, describing the carrying out of the commands in those chapters by Moses and the people.4-29. Moses invites the people to contribute the materials required, which they do with great liberality: cp. Exodus 36:5-7. See on Exodus 25:1-9.22. Tablets] RV ’armlets,’ or ’necklaces’: cp. Numbers 31:50. 23. Red skins of rams] i.e. leather of rams’ skins dyed red, as in Exodus... read more
(36-38) The cloud was henceforth, in a peculiar way, attached to the Tabernacle. As a cloud it rested upon it by day; as a pillar of fire by night. Only in one case was it removed, viz., when it was the Divine will that Israel should march. (See Numbers 9:15-22.) read more
Exodus 40:2 What makes worship impressive is just its publicity, its external manifestation, its sound, its splendour, its observance universally and visibly, holding its sway through all the details both of our outward and of our inward life. Joubert. All the charm of ritual and ceremonial in worship has for Pater an indefinable and constant attraction. He is for ever recurring to it, because it seems to him to interpret and express an emotion, a need of the human spirit, whose concern is to... read more
7. The Tabernacle Set Up, the Finished Work and the Glory CHAPTER 40 1. Jehovah gives the directions (Exodus 40:1-15 ) 2. Moses’ obedience (Exodus 40:16 ) 3. The tabernacle set up (Exodus 40:17-19 ) 4. The ark brought in (Exodus 40:20-21 ) 5. The furniture placed and the offerings brought (Exodus 40:22-29 ) 6. The laver and the court (Exodus 40:30-33 ) 7. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38 ) While the people had offered and the chosen workmen labored in... read more
THE TABERNACLE ERECTED AND ARRANGED (vs.1-33) About one year had elapsed after the Passover in Egypt. Now the Lord instructs Moses to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month. The first article of furniture then mentioned is the ark (v.3), to be placed inside the tabernacle, for this speaks of Christ as the Sustainer of the throne of God. Therefore it had a place of real separation, for it had to be separate even from the table, the lampstand and the incense altar, for these... read more
THE TABERNACLE ERECTED The closing chapters detail the execution of the plan of the Tabernacle previously revealed. In the first we are told of the offerings the people made for the work, in the next four the progress of the building is recorded, and the last we have the completion and acceptance of the whole on God’s part. NOTE (1) that an important principle in the gifts was the willingness of those who gave (Exodus 35:5 ); (2) the women contributed as well as the men (Exodus 35:22 ); (3)... read more
Numbers 9:15-23 . Precious tokens these of the divine presence, and of the divine favour. Isaiah 4:5-6 . But how much more precious, since the Lord Jesus came and tabernacled among his people, in the likeness of our flesh? John 1:14 ; Galatians 4:14 . The pillar of cloud moving before them was a delightful testimony of what the people were to do, and a sure guide for them to follow. But how much greater our privileges, who are under the leadings and teachings of the Holy Ghost. Romans 8:14 .... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Exodus 40:36
36. when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle—In journeying through the sandy, trackless deserts of the East, the use of torches, exhibiting a cloud of smoke by day and of fire by night, has been resorted to from time immemorial. The armies of Darius and Alexander were conducted on their marches in this manner [FABER]. The Arab caravans in the present day observe the same custom; and materials for these torches are stored up among other necessary preparations for a journey. Live... read more