Setting Up the Tabernacle

INTRO

We’ve studied the book of Genesis, and now we’re finishing up the book of Exodus. Yesterday we covered Exodus 39, where the Israelites were told to make the priestly garments. Now it’s time to finally put all of this together so God’s presence can dwell in the tabernacle.

TEACHING

Exodus 40:1–4: This was almost one year after the exodus. God told Moses to set up the tabernacle, bring in the ark, and bring in the table with the lamps. What you’re going to hear in Exodus 40 is God’s instructions for how to build the tabernacle itself.

Exodus 40:5–8: Moses had an impeccable memory. They put everything in place. He said, “Don’t do it yet, but get ready.” Moses was so in tune with the Lord that he knew how this thing fit together. Did it have to be special water for the basin? It’s not like they had a hose to fill it. They were in the wilderness, so they had to haul the water in. There was a whole lot of detail that required Moses to walk by faith as he was told to build the tabernacle.

This was hard work. They didn’t have all of the tools we have. They were building what the Lord told them to build, and they were doing it by faith. Now Moses was assembling everything together. He got it all completed and assembled, and then in verse 9, God told him what to do.

Exodus 40:9-13: Moses was to anoint everything and consecrate it so it will be holy. Aaron and his sons were to wash themselves with water. They were preparing to serve as the Levitical priesthood. Moses was to clothe, anoint, and consecrate Aaron. Moses functioned as prophet, and his brother functioned as priest.

Exodus 40:14-15: Moses was to clothe and anoint Aaron’s sons as well. Their anointing inaugurates a permanent priesthood. When you believe in Jesus Christ, you are given the indwelling Holy Spirit. Because of the Holy Spirit inside you, you automatically have that anointing (1 John 2:20, 27). The anointing remains in you. Remain in Him. Walk in confidence and authority, grace, and humility.

In the Old Testament, Aaron and the priests anointed everything so it would be set apart. But now, we are the anointed; we have been set apart from the world. When you realize the Spirit of God has anointed you, you don’t have to convince people.

Exodus 40:15–18: Moses was anointing them to do the work God had asked them to do. Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded. Seven times you’ll hear this language, “Just as the Lord had commanded him.” The tabernacle was now being built! It was assembled and anointed, and everything was coming together. Moses set up the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:19–30: Moses spread the tent over the tabernacle and brought in the ark (which contained the testimony), the mercy seat, the table, the bread, and the lampstand. Everything God told him to do at Mount Sinai was happening. Everything was so detailed, what to make and where to put it. God knew exactly where He wanted everything to be—this was His house. They brought in the gold altar, the fragrant incense, the screen, the altar, and the basin with the water. Moses had incredible help!

Exodus 40:31–34: Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and feet. Moses finished the work (v. 33). Moses served as a deliverer in the book of Exodus, and so does Jesus in the book of John (John 19:28–30).

In Genesis, God finished the work of creation (Genesis 2:2). In Exodus, Moses finished the work of the tabernacle so the Israelites could experience God’s presence. In John, Jesus finished the work so you and I can come into the Father’s presence. The veil has been torn, and it’s done. The cloud covered the tent, and the glory filled the tabernacle. Nelson wrote, “The glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle demonstrated His presence with the Israelites, His significance to them, and His awe-inspiring wonder.”1

Exodus 40:35–38: His presence was so thick Moses couldn’t go inside. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle––all because of one man’s faith and obedience to listen on the Mount of Sinai and to listen in the wilderness. We have to be careful because our sins will drive away the glory of God. Whenever the cloud lifted, the Israelites set out. Their journey was just beginning. The cloud lifted and the Israelites followed (Exodus 13:21-22; Numbers 9:15-23). The cloud was visible to all the house of Israel. They all saw the presence of the Lord.

CLOSING

This is the end of Exodus. Your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit. When you walk, you are carrying the presence of God wherever you go.

Philip Ryken presents ten things that describe the role of Jesus in Exodus2:

1. Jesus is the Moses of our salvation—He is the mediator who goes before us.
2. Jesus is the lamb of our Passover—He is the sacrifice for our sins.
3. Jesus is our way out of Egypt—He delivers us and baptizes us in the sea of grace.
4. Jesus is our bread in the wilderness—He gives us what we need daily.
5. Jesus is our voice from the mountain—He declares the law for our lives.
6. Jesus is the altar of our burning—we offer praise up to Him.
7. Jesus is the light on our lampstand—He is the Source of our life and light.
8. Jesus is the basin of our cleansing—He is the Sanctifier of our souls.
9. Jesus is our Great High Priest—He prays for us at the altar of incense.
10. Jesus is the blood on the mercy seat—He is the atonement that reconciles us to God.

Jesus is the one who saved the people out of Egypt and He’s the One who saves us.