Exodus 40:3 meaning
Setting up the tabernacle was a pivotal moment for the Israelites as it marked the establishment of a dwelling place for God among His people. This directive came from God Himself, who specified how the tabernacle and its furnishings were to be arranged to reflect divine order and holiness. In positioning the ark of the testimony and covering it with a veil, God not only emphasized His transcendence but also His desire for intimate communion with His people. This procedure highlights the essence of worship where God's presence is central, and thus, the implementation of these instructions was crucial for Israel's relationship with their covenant-keeping God.
In Exodus 40:3, Moses is commanded to prepare the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's blueprint for worship. The act of setting the tabernacle represents a new creation for the Israelites, paralleling the creation narrative, wherein God seeks to dwell among His people and guide them. This clarifies that worship must be conducted according to God's specifications, illustrating the necessity for sanctity and order in approaching the Lord. The arrangement also serves as a foretaste of the ultimate revelation of God's presence in Jesus Christ.
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Deeper Commentary Covering this Verse:
- Exodus 40:1-16 meaning. The LORD commands Moses to set up the tabernacle. All of its components have now been built, so Moses assembles them.
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Exodus 40:34-38 meaning. Now that the tabernacle had been erected, the LORD came to dwell amongst His people. He appeared as a cloud, like before, and His glory came to reside in the tabernacle.
- Exodus 25:31-40 meaning. The next item described for the tabernacle was the golden lampstand. As with the ark and the table of showbread, the instructions for its design are very detailed. It was to be placed on the opposite side from the Table of Showbread (Exodus 26:35), and its purpose was to provide light in the tabernacle.
- Exodus 29:38-46 meaning. The discussion now turns from the priests' ordination ceremony to the sacrifices that were to be performed daily. What was to be offered and when the offerings were to take place. The LORD stresses the importance of these daily burnt offerings and His response to them by dwelling amongst and fellowshipping with His people.