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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 40:9 marks the climactic moment of the Tabernacle's consecration, transforming it and its contents from ordinary materials into sacred objects exclusively dedicated to God's service. Moses is commanded to apply the specially prepared anointing oil to every part of the sanctuary and its vessels, an act that formally sets them apart as holy. This crucial ceremony was indispensable for the Tabernacle to become the divinely appointed earthly dwelling place where the Lord's glorious presence would reside among His people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 40:9 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its theological weight. Repetition of the concept of "holy" (through "hallow it" and "it shall be holy") powerfully emphasizes the paramount importance of consecration and the absolute necessity of a set-apart space for God's dwelling. This repetition underscores the divine nature of the transformation from common to sacred. Symbolism is central, with the "anointing oil" serving as a potent symbol of divine presence, purification, and the impartation of sacredness. The oil visually and tangibly represents the act of setting apart, making the invisible spiritual reality manifest. The entire Tabernacle itself functions as a grand symbol of God's desire to dwell among His people, and its anointing symbolizes the necessary purification and dedication required for such a holy presence. The verse also functions as a Divine Command, expressed through direct, imperative instructions to Moses ("thou shalt take," "anoint," "hallow"), highlighting God's sovereign authority and the imperative of human obedience in establishing His worship according to His terms.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 40:9 encapsulates profound theological truths concerning God's inherent holiness, His gracious desire for communion with humanity, and the divinely ordained means by which such communion can occur. The meticulous consecration of the Tabernacle underscores that God is utterly transcendent and separate from creation, dwelling in unapproachable light, yet He graciously chooses to dwell among His people. However, His presence demands holiness, thus the precise anointing and hallowing were indispensable acts to prepare a space fitting for His pure and unblemished character. This act of setting apart, transforming the common into the sacred, reveals God's initiative in establishing a covenant relationship and providing a pathway for worship and atonement. It teaches that access to God is not casual but requires divine appointment, purification, and adherence to His holy standards.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The anointing of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:9 serves as a timeless reminder of the sacredness required in approaching God and the importance of consecration in our lives as believers. Just as every part of the Tabernacle was meticulously set apart for God's exclusive use, so too are we, as New Covenant believers, called to live lives of holiness and dedication. Our bodies are now the "temple of the Holy Spirit," implying that every facet of our being—our thoughts, words, actions, relationships, and even our possessions—should be consecrated to God's purposes. This does not imply a monastic retreat from the world, but rather living in the world with a distinct, set-apart character that reflects God's holiness. It challenges us to examine what we dedicate our time, talents, and resources to. Are we treating our lives as common or as holy vessels for God's glory? The call to be holy is a call to intentional living, to active purification from sin, and to a life empowered by the Spirit for service and worship that truly honors the One who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of anointing oil in the Bible, and why was it used on the Tabernacle?
Answer: In the Bible, anointing oil held profound symbolic and practical significance, primarily representing divine appointment, consecration, and the impartation of holiness. For the Tabernacle, the use of a specially prepared "holy anointing oil" (as detailed in Exodus 30:22-33) was crucial. Its application transformed the physical structure and its furnishings from common materials into sacred objects, set apart exclusively for God's presence and service. This act was not merely ceremonial; it was a divine command that ritually purified and dedicated the Tabernacle, making it a fit dwelling place for the Lord and a consecrated space where worship and atonement could occur according to God's holy standards.
Why was the Tabernacle so important to ancient Israel?
Answer: The Tabernacle was of paramount importance to ancient Israel because it served as the tangible dwelling place of God among His people. It was the physical manifestation of God's covenant presence, fulfilling His promise to "dwell among them" (Exodus 29:45). As a portable sanctuary, it accompanied the Israelites through their wilderness wanderings, symbolizing God's continuous guidance and protection. It was the central place of worship, where sacrifices were offered, sins were atoned for, and God's will was revealed. The Tabernacle's intricate design and meticulous construction, culminating in its anointing and filling with God's glory (Exodus 40:34), underscored the holiness of God and the sacredness required to approach Him.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 40:9, with its profound emphasis on the anointing and hallowing of the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle was a temporary, earthly dwelling place for God's presence, a shadow of the reality to come. Jesus, however, is the eternal, divine presence of God incarnate, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, literally "tabernacled" (Greek: eskēnōsen) among humanity. Just as the Tabernacle was anointed to be holy and set apart, Jesus is the "Anointed One" (Messiah/Christ) par excellence, set apart by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit for His redemptive mission (Luke 4:18). He declared His own body to be the true temple (John 2:19-21), a temple not made with human hands, through which ultimate and permanent access to God is granted. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, Jesus not only fulfilled the Tabernacle's purpose of mediating God's presence and providing atonement but also inaugurated a new, living temple—His body, the Church. In Christ, believers become living stones, built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Him. Thus, the Tabernacle's anointing foreshadowed the perfect and eternal consecration achieved in Christ, the ultimate dwelling place of God's glory, in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9).