The Completion and Dedication of the Tabernacle

Exodus 40 marks the culmination of the construction of the Tabernacle, as Moses follows God’s instructions to assemble and consecrate the structure and its furnishings. This chapter emphasizes the significance of God’s presence among His people and the completion of His divine instructions.

Setting Up the Tabernacle

• Assembly Instructions: On the first day of the first month, Moses is commanded to set up the Tabernacle. He is to place the Ark of the Testimony within it, set up the screen at the entrance, and arrange the furniture: the table, the lampstand, and the altar of incense (Exodus 40:1-8).
• The Courtyard and Altar: Moses sets up the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar, hanging the curtains at the courtyard entrance. This act formalizes the sacred space, differentiating it from the surrounding environment (Exodus 40:9-33).

Anointing and Consecration

• Consecration of the Tabernacle: Moses anoints and consecrates the Tabernacle and all its furnishings with the anointing oil, sanctifying them. He also anoints and consecrates the altar of burnt offering and its utensils, establishing them for holy use (Exodus 40:9-11).

The Glory of the Lord

• Divine Presence: Once the Tabernacle is fully assembled and consecrated, the cloud covers the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle. This physical manifestation of God’s presence signifies His approval and His commitment to dwell among His people (Exodus 40:34-38).
• Guidance by the Cloud: The cloud above the Tabernacle and the appearance of fire within it by night becomes the signal for the Israelites’ movements throughout their journeys. When the cloud lifts, they set out; when it remains, they stay encamped, demonstrating God’s direct guidance in their travels (Exodus 40:36-38).

Theological Significance and Connection to Jesus Christ

Christological Echoes

• Tabernacle as a Type of Christ: The Tabernacle serves as a type of Christ, who in the New Testament is described as ‘tabernacling’ among us (John 1:14). Christ embodies the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity, providing a permanent presence that the Tabernacle only symbolized.
• The Glory of God in Christ: Just as the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, Christ manifests God’s glory in a fuller and more profound way (Hebrews 1:3). He is the brightness of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.

Divine Love and Its Implications

• Provision of a Dwelling Place: God’s instructions for the Tabernacle illustrate His desire to create a space where He could dwell among His people, demonstrating His ongoing commitment and love for them.
• Accessibility and Holiness: The completion of the Tabernacle and God’s presence filling it signify that God has made a way for His holy presence to be accessible to His people, underlining the importance of holiness in their lives.

Contemporary Relevance

Why Exodus 40 Still Matters Today

• God’s Presence in Daily Life: The Tabernacle’s role as God’s dwelling place among His people reminds modern believers of the importance of recognizing and honoring God’s presence in their daily lives.
• Guidance and Dependence on God: The Israelites’ dependence on the cloud for movement teaches the value of seeking and following God’s guidance in all decisions and acknowledging His timing.
• Sanctity of Worship Spaces: The careful preparation and consecration of the Tabernacle encourage believers today to treat their places of worship with reverence and to prepare themselves spiritually for encountering God.

Exodus 40 not only concludes the book with the successful establishment of a sacred space for worship but also provides enduring lessons on God’s intimacy with His people, the sanctity of worship, and the importance of divine guidance, themes that resonate deeply in the life of the church today.