Exodus 40:1 - Meaning and Application

The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had already been examined one by one and approved. Now they had to be put together. God tells Moses to set up the tabernacle and place its items where they belong. Even though the work was finished and everything was ready, Moses would not raise it up until God gave him clear orders to do so. It is good to see God leading us at every step (Psalm 37:23).

The time for this was set for the first day of the first month (Exodus 40:2). That was only fourteen days short of a full year since they had left Egypt, and it had been a good year’s work. Most likely, the work was completed just at the end of the year, so this timing caused little or no delay. We should not put off any needed duty by waiting for some special day. The present time is usually the best time.

Still, the fact that the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month gives a useful lesson. It is good to begin the year with some good work. Let the firstfruits, the first and best, belong to God, and let the things of his kingdom come first. In Hezekiah’s day, they began to cleanse the temple on the first day of the first month (2 Chronicles 29:17). Since the new moon was counted as the first day of each month, the first new moon of the year was made especially important. When a new year begins, we should think about serving God better than we did the year before.

Moses is told to set up the tabernacle itself first, because God would dwell there and be worshiped there (Exodus 40:2). Then he was to place the ark in its spot and draw the curtain before it (Exodus 40:3). After that, he was to set the table, the lampstand, and the altar of incense outside the curtain, and put up the doorway hanging (Exodus 40:4-5). In the courtyard he was to place the altar for burnt offerings and the laver, the basin for washing (Exodus 40:6-7). Last of all, he was to set up the curtains around the court and the gate curtain. This could all be done in one day, especially with many hands working under Moses’ direction.

God also directs Moses, after the tabernacle and all its furniture are in place, to consecrate them, that is, to set them apart for holy use, by anointing them with the oil prepared for that purpose (Exodus 30:25 and following; Exodus 40:9-11). That had already been commanded, but now it was to be carried out. Notice that everything was made holy when it was placed in its proper position, and not before. Until then, it was not ready for the use it was meant for. As everything is beautiful in its season, so everything is fitting in its place.

He also tells Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons. When the goods were brought into God’s house, they were first marked out, and then servants were hired to carry the vessels of the Lord. Those who served in that office had to be clean (Exodus 40:12-15). The law for this had already been given earlier (chapter 29). In the visible church, which is God’s tabernacle among people, there must be ministers to care for the holy things, and they too must receive the anointing.