Exodus 40:1-38

Very full details are given concerning the preparation of the holy garments of the priests, all of which were made strictly according to the pattern.

We then come to the definite statement, "Thus was finished all the work of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting: and the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses; so did they."

The work thus completed was brought by the workmen to Moses for final inspection, and in rapid survey the whole is again mentioned, the story closing with the words, "And Moses saw all the work, and, behold, they had done it; as Jehovah had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them."

This almost monotonous repetition of the fact that the work was carried out according to the pattern is full of significance. Everything was intended to teach the people that the one simple basis of relationship between them and God must ever be implicit obedience to the minutest detail of divine instructions. In the economy of God no apparently trivial matter is really trivial or unimportant. Man cannot approach God in any way of his own contriving, and no people have any right to expect God's guidance save as they are devoted to Him and His methods in His worship and His work.

In this final movement in the Book of Exodus we find the same constant repetition of the necessity of obeying the divine plan. In the first fifteen verses of the chapter we have an account of the specific command of God concerned with setting up the Tabernacle, anointing it in order, and sanctifying the priests and clothing them in their robes.

In this setting up, everything proceeds from the center outward. First, the Tabernacle was reared, the Ark placed, and the veil hung. Then the table of shewbread was set in its place and the lamps were lighted. That being done, the golden altar was brought in and the door of the Holy Place erected.

In the court the brazen altar was set, then the laver, while around the whole were hung the curtains of the court, and finally the outer gate was erected.

Then all were anointed with the holy oil. The priest was arrayed and anointed and his sons likewise. Everything was ready. Once more it is declared in general terms, "Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he." That statement is emphasized by the repetition of the words, "as the Lord commanded Moses" no less than seven times.

All being completed, the final declaration fills the soul with awe. The great verity, of which everything was but symbolic, was made real in the consciousness of the people as the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. So great was that glory that Moses was not able to enter the Tent of meeting.

Thus in the march of history the nation is seen organized around the presence and power of Jehovah. The record closes with the simple statement that they went onward with their journeys, guided ever by the presence of God manifested thus at the center of their life and worship.