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Commentary on Exodus 40 verses 1–15
The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they must be put together. 1. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing, and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet Moses will not erect it till he has express orders for doing so. It is good to see God going before us in every step, Psa 37:23. The time for doing this is fixed to the first day of the first month (Exo 40:2), which wanted but fourteen days of a year since they came out of Egypt; and a good year's work there was done in it. Probably the work was made ready but just at the end of the year, so that the appointing of this day gave no delay, or next to none, to this good work. We must not put off any necessary duty under pretence of waiting for some remarkable day; the present season is the most convenient. But the tabernacle happening to be set up on the first day of the first month intimates that it is good to begin the year with some good work. Let him that is the first have the first; and let the things of his kingdom be first sought. In Hezekiah's time we find they began to sanctify the temple on the first day of the first month, Ch2 29:17. The new moon (which by their computation was the first day of every month) was observed by them with some solemnity; and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made remarkable. Note, When a new year begins, we should think of serving God more and better than we did the year before. Moses is particularly ordered to set up the tabernacle itself first, in which God would dwell and would be served (Exo 40:2), then to put the ark in its place, and draw the veil before it (Exo 40:3), then to fix the table, and the candlestick, and the altar of incense, without the veil (Exo 40:4, Exo 40:5), and to fix the hanging of the door before the door. Then in the court he must place the altar of burnt offering, and the laver (Exo 40:6, Exo 40:7); and, lastly, he must set up the curtains of the court, and a hanging for a court-gate. And all this would be easily done in one day, many hands no doubt being employed in it under the direction of Moses. 2. He directs Moses, when he had set up the tabernacle and all the furniture of it, to consecrate it and them, by anointing them with the oil which was prepared for the purpose, Exo 30:25, etc. It was there ordered that this should be done; here it was ordered that it should be done now, Exo 40:9-11. Observe, Every thing was sanctified when it was put in its proper place, and not till then, for till then it was not fit for the use to which it was to be sanctified. As every thing is beautiful in its season, so is every thing in its place. 3. He directs him to consecrate Aaron and his sons. When the goods were brought into God's house, they were marked first, and then servants were hired to bear the vessels of the Lord; and those must be clean who were put into that office, Exo 40:12-15. The law which was now ordered to be put in execution we had before, ch. 29. Thus in the visible church, which is God's tabernacle among men, it is requisite that there be ministers to keep the charge of the sanctuary, and that they receive the anointing.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 40:10 concludes the Tabernacle's construction by detailing the divine command for Moses to anoint and sanctify the altar of burnt offering, along with all its associated vessels, declaring it "most holy." This pivotal act of consecration signifies the altar's indispensable role as the primary locus for atonement and worship, setting it apart exclusively for God's sacred purposes and establishing it as the foundational point of access for His people to approach a holy God.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 40:10 employs several significant literary devices to emphasize the profound sacredness and importance of the altar. Repetition of the concept of holiness is evident in the commands to "anoint," "sanctify," and the concluding declaration that it shall be "most holy." This reiteration serves to underscore the divine imperative behind its consecration and its supreme importance in the Tabernacle system. Symbolism is paramount, as the altar itself symbolizes the divinely appointed means of atonement and access to God. The anointing oil is a powerful symbol of consecration, divine presence, and enablement, signifying a setting apart for God's exclusive use. The very act of setting apart common objects for sacred use through anointing and sanctification is a form of ritualistic symbolism, where physical actions convey profound spiritual truths about separation, purity, and divine ownership. The phrase "most holy" is a superlative, using a common Hebrew idiom (qôdesh qôdeshîm) to express the highest degree of holiness, elevating the altar to a status akin to the Holy of Holies in terms of its sacred function and importance for the people's interaction with God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 40:10 powerfully conveys the theological principles of divine holiness, the necessity of consecration for approaching God, and the centrality of atonement. God's absolute purity demands that anything used in His worship be set apart and made holy, demonstrating His transcendence and the seriousness of communion with Him. The altar, being "most holy," signifies that the means of approaching God—through sacrifice—must also be supremely sacred. This foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice required for true and lasting atonement, highlighting God's provision for sinful humanity to draw near to Him on His terms, emphasizing that access to God is always on His terms, through a divinely appointed and consecrated means.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The consecration of the altar of burnt offering in Exodus 40:10 serves as a profound spiritual paradigm for believers today. Just as every aspect of the Tabernacle and its furnishings was meticulously set apart for God's exclusive use, so too are believers called to a life of complete dedication and holiness. Our lives, our bodies, our talents, and our resources are to be consecrated to God, transformed from common to sacred, reflecting His ownership and purpose for us. This does not imply a physical anointing with oil, but a spiritual setting apart, a daily commitment to live in purity and obedience, recognizing that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. The "most holy" status of the altar reminds us of the profound reverence and seriousness with which we should approach God, not through ritualistic sacrifice, but through the perfect sacrifice of Christ, which enables us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. Our worship, our service, and our very being should echo the "most holy" dedication seen in the Tabernacle, striving for a life that honors God in every sphere, acknowledging His supreme holiness and our call to reflect it in our consecrated lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the altar of burnt offering considered "most holy" when the Holy of Holies was generally understood as the most sacred place?
Answer: The designation "most holy" (Hebrew: qodesh qadashim) for the altar of burnt offering, while also used for the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:33), highlights its supreme importance in the sacrificial system and its unique role in facilitating atonement. While the Holy of Holies was the dwelling place of God's immediate presence—the very throne room of God on earth—the altar was the primary point of contact for sinful humanity to approach a holy God through blood sacrifice. Without the altar and its consecrated function, access to the Holy Place and ultimately to God's presence would be impossible for the people. Therefore, its "most holy" status signifies its absolute necessity and sacredness as the divinely ordained means of purification and reconciliation, making it functionally as critical as the innermost sanctuary for the people's relationship with God. It was the threshold of atonement, where the life of the sacrifice was offered to cover sin, allowing for fellowship with a holy God.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 40:10, with its emphasis on the anointing and sanctification of the altar of burnt offering as "most holy," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament altar, where countless animal sacrifices were offered for the temporary atonement of sins, was a profound shadow pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. He is not merely the sacrifice, but also the altar itself, the consecrated means by which humanity gains access to God (Hebrews 13:10). Just as the altar was set apart as "most holy" for the offering of blood, so too was Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, uniquely consecrated by the Holy Spirit for His redemptive mission (Luke 4:18-19). His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of consecration, making Him the perfect and eternal High Priest (Hebrews 7:27) who entered the true, heavenly Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:11-12) by His own blood, securing eternal redemption. Through Christ, believers are now able to draw near to God with confidence (Hebrews 10:19-22), no longer needing an earthly altar, but having direct access through the consecrated and "most holy" sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. His finished work on the cross is the true "altar most holy," providing the perfect and everlasting atonement for all who believe.