Ex. 39:1 And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Now we get back into a restatement of the instructions regarding the garments for the high priest and priests.
Ex. 39:2 And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Ex. 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.
Ex. 39:4 They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.
Ex. 39:5 And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.
These verses correlate with Exodus 28:6-8. The extra information given here is how the gold is to be woven into the fabric. It is to be beaten into thin plates and cut into wires that are then woven into the fabric.
Ex. 39:6 And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
Ex. 39:7 And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
This cross-references the information in Exodus 28:9-14.
Ex. 39:8 And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Ex. 39:9 It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.
Ex. 39:10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.
Ex. 39:11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Ex. 39:12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Ex. 39:13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
Ex. 39:14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.
See Exodus 28:15-21.
Ex. 39:15 And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.
Ex. 39:16 And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.
Ex. 39:17 And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
Ex. 39:18 And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.
Ex. 39:19 And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.
Ex. 39:20 And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
Ex. 39:21 And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
See Exodus 28:22-28.
Ex. 39:22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
Ex. 39:23 And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.
Ex. 39:24 And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.
Ex. 39:25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;
Ex. 39:26 A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.
See Exodus 28:31-35.
Ex. 39:27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
Ex. 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,
Ex. 39:29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
See Exodus 28:39-42.
Ex. 39:30 And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Ex. 39:31 And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.
See Exodus 28:36-37.
Ex. 39:32 Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
Again, that important statement that the people obeyed ALL the instructions God gave them regarding the making of the tabernacle and all the things associated with its function.
Ex. 39:33 And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets,
Ex. 39:34 And the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers’ skins, and the vail of the covering,
Ex. 39:35 The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,
Ex. 39:36 The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,
Ex. 39:37 The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
Ex. 39:38 And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
Ex. 39:39 The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
Ex. 39:40 The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
Ex. 39:41 The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister in the priest’s office.
Ex. 39:42 According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.
These verses basically give a listing of all the completed items that would comprise the tabernacle and its furnishings and the garments for the priests.
Again, we are told that the children made everything “according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses.”
Ex. 39:43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
This is the tenth time in this chapter alone that reference is being made to the fact that all the work being done was “as the LORD had commanded.” This time the people have brought the completed work to Moses, God’s representative before them, so that he could verify the fact that they had been obedient to every detail “as the LORD had commanded.”
“and Moses blessed them” - When I looked at the Hebrew, there was no word for them. The entry in Strong’s regarding the Hebrew for blessed indicates that it involved kneeling in an act of adoration before the LORD. I don’t think it is wrong to infer that God would respond with kindness to the people for their obedience to Him.
Obviously, there has been a lot of duplication in the last few chapters, but God inspired Moses to do so. Why? As a clue to the significance of each part of the tabernacle? As a clue to the truth that there are spiritual insights to be gleaned? As a testimony to the ongoing plan of God that would find fulfillment in Christ?
Ex. 40:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Ex. 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
The LORD now instructs Moses when to set up the tabernacle—on the first day of the first month. I believe this is a reference to Exodus 12:2 regarding the establishment of the Passover. This would seem to indicate that the beginning of year two of their wandering in the wilderness is approaching.
Ex. 40:3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
Ex. 40:4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
Ex. 40:5 And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
Ex. 40:6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Ex. 40:7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
Ex. 40:8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
Ex. 40:9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
These verses provide a listing of how the tabernacle is to be set up. First Moses is told what to put inside the tabernacle:
the ark of the testimony covered by the veil
the table that holds the shewbread
the candlestick and its lamps
the golden altar for incense that goes in front of the veil that hides the ark
Next comes the hanging door of the tabernacle. The laver filled with water is positioned in front of the door; in front of it will be placed the altar for the burnt offering. Next would come the outside hangings that form the outer court.
Then the tabernacle and all that is in it is to be anointed with the special anointing oil to declare it clean and holy before God.
Ex. 40:10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
Ex. 40:11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
To emphasize the importance of the anointing process, the LORD details again that the altar for burnt offering, the vessels used in association with this altar, the laver, and its pedestal are all to be anointed.
Ex. 40:12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
Ex. 40:13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Ex. 40:14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
Ex. 40:15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Aaron and his sons are to be washed with water and clothed appropriately before ministering before the LORD in the tabernacle. The priests and their clothing were to be anointed before assuming their duties as priests. This anointing would establish this family as an everlasting priesthood for coming generations. (Our anointing with the Holy Spirit establishes us as part of an everlasting priesthood as well.)
My daughter-in-law made a good observation. The priests were ministering to God—not the people. That should be our mindset as well. How can I serve God as a wife, mom, employee, employer, etc.?
Ex. 40:16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
Everything that the LORD told Moses to do—he did.
Ex. 40:17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
Ex. 40:18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
Ex. 40:19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Now it is confirmed that it is the first month of the second year (of being delivered from Egypt) on the first day of the month that the tabernacle was put up. All the hangings, boards, sockets, bars and pillars were set. Then the other layers of goat hair, ram skins and badger skins were layered over the whole as protection—“as the LORD commanded Moses.”
As is often the case in scripture, we are now given a more detailed account of the above summary of actions taken in putting the tabernacle into position.
Ex. 40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
Ex. 40:21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
After the shell of the tabernacle proper had been established, the furnishings were placed in position. The tablets of testimony were placed in the ark. The staves were put in position on the ark and the mercy seat was placed on the top of the ark—“as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Ex. 40:22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
Ex. 40:23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
The veil that separated the Holy of Holies containing the ark was in place. On the north side of the area outside this veil was placed the table of shewbread—“as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Ex. 40:24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Ex. 40:25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Against = opposite, in front of
The candlestick was placed on the south side of the area outside the veil opposite the table of shewbread, and the lamps were lit—“as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Ex. 40:26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
Ex. 40:27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
In front of the veil was placed the golden altar for incense, and sweet incense was burned on it—“as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Ex. 40:28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
Ex. 40:29 And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.
The hangings for the entry to the tabernacle were put in place. The altar for burnt offerings was placed by the door to the tabernacle, and the burnt offerings and meat offerings were offered—“as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Ex. 40:30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
Ex. 40:31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
Ex. 40:32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.
The laver was filled with water and placed between the tabernacle and the altar. Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons washed their hands and feet at the laver when they went into the tabernacle and when they came to serve at the altar—“as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Ex. 40:33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
The courtyard perimeter was established surrounding the tabernacle and the altar to complete the structure.
Ex. 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Ex. 40:35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
All the work had been completed “as the LORD commanded.” The LORD then acknowledged His acceptance of their work by descending in a cloud of glory to fill the tabernacle. No one, not even Moses, could enter the tabernacle when the cloud was in position and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Even Moses didn’t have the freedom to go in and out of the LORD’s presence at will. He was a man with a sin nature just like us. He was given special times of fellowship with God as His chosen representative before the people, but always at God’s invitation. We, on the other hand, have an open invitation to approach the throne of grace.
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Ex. 40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
Ex. 40:37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
Ex. 40:38 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.
God directed the children of Israel through the positioning of the cloud. When the cloud lifted from the tabernacle, the Israelites prepared to travel. When the cloud became stationary, they made camp. The glory of the LORD appeared as a cloud by day and as fire by night. It was an unmistakable sign to the Israelites of God’s presence in their midst and His direction throughout all their journeys.
Summary thoughts:
There is only one entry to the tabernacle just as Jesus is the only way to salvation and entering God’s presence today. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The altar for burnt offerings was the first thing you came to when approaching the entry to the tabernacle. Sacrifice of innocent blood is necessary before sinful man can approach God. Hebrews 10:19-22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
The laver of water is the next place you come to when approaching the entry to the tabernacle. Cleansing is necessary before sinful man can approach God. Psalms 24:3-4 “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart….”
The priests represented the people before God. They could not enter the tabernacle without stopping at the first two stations and then putting on the proper clothing. As believers, we are priests before God. 1Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
We must also be clothed appropriately to approach the Father. We are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
The priests are also anointed before entering the tabernacle. We too are anointed with the Holy Spirit before being allowed in the throne room. 1John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
When the priest finally enters the holy place, he sees three distinct items: the candlestick, the table of shewbread and the altar of incense. These all depict truth about our Savior. He is the light of the world, and as His children we should reflect that light. John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Jesus is the bread of life; without Him we have no life. John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
The table was always to have bread on it and the lamps on the candlestick were always to be lit. Jesus is always available for our spiritual food and our spiritual enlightenment besides supplying our physical needs. There is never a time so dark or empty that He is not there at our bidding. John 15:7 “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
The altar of incense is representative of our prayers to God. Notice that the incense was a sweet aroma, a pleasing thing, before God. Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Revelation 8:3-4 “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.”
The position of this altar is directly in front of the throne of God separated only by a veil. When Jesus died on that cross, that veil was torn, leaving absolutely nothing between God and the prayers of His saints. Not only that, Jesus serves as our intercessor. Romans 8:34 “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
The ripping of the veil was also a statement to man that Jesus’ sacrifice in payment for our sins was acceptable to God. No other sacrifice is needed. We now have personal access to Him. Hebrews 10:19–23 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
Everything associated with God’s presence was pure, holy, and beautiful.
Donations for the construction of the tabernacle were only accepted from those who were of a willing heart. God will never force us to serve Him or fellowship with Him. 2Corinthians 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”