The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Glory” it comes from the Hebrew Word “kabod” which means “glory, weightiness, splendor.”
The tabernacle finally goes up, and God’s presence moves in immediately. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Exodus 40.
God instructs Moses to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, exactly one year after Israel left Egypt. Moses is to place the ark inside, hang the veil, position the table and lampstand, set up the altar of incense, and place the altar of burnt offering before the entrance, along with the laver filled with water for washing. Aaron and his sons are to be washed, clothed in their priestly garments, and anointed, consecrating them to minister as priests throughout their generations.
Moses does everything exactly as the Lord had commanded him, methodically setting up each piece of furniture in its proper place, hanging the coverings, and anointing the tabernacle and everything in it, along with Aaron and his sons, to sanctify them for service. The repeated phrase throughout this closing chapter, “as the LORD commanded Moses,” appears again and again, emphasizing complete, careful obedience to every last detail God had given.
When the work is finally finished, “then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” The glory is so overwhelming that Moses himself is unable to enter. From then on, whenever the cloud lifts from the tabernacle, Israel journeys onward, and whenever it remains, they stay in place, for “the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.”
Exodus began with Israel enslaved, crying out under Egyptian oppression, and ends with God’s own glory dwelling visibly in their midst. The entire book traces one long journey from bondage to God’s manifest presence. That same movement, from captivity toward God’s dwelling with His people, remains the central story of the whole Bible.
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