Study notes

Exodus 40

Introducing ExodusWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

35:1–40:38 Section

Moses came down from Mount Sinai with stone tablets a second time. That time the Israelites listened and obeyed. Moses taught them to work for six days and to rest on the Sabbath day.

Then the entire community worked to make everything that God had told them to make. People freely gave offerings from what they had. Bezalel, Oholiab and other skilled workers used the offerings. They used them to make the holy tent and everything in it. They also made the priests’ clothes.

The Israelites made everything just as God had commanded Moses. Then Moses blessed the people. This was like when God created the world. He was pleased at what he had made and he blessed it (Genesis chapter 1).

When the holy tent was ready, God’s glory filled it. This showed that God was present with the Israelites in the tent. God continued to lead the people through the cloud and fire.

40:1–33

  • The report on setting up the Tent of Meeting starts with the Lord's commands (40:1–15). It continues with how Moses obeyed those commands (40:16–33).

  • The repeated statement that "Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded" (40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32) strongly contrasts with Aaron’s self-serving statement in 32:22–24. God wants to share his presence with us, but his holiness requires us to give up our own efforts to secure his presence and gifts.

40:2

  • In the Tent of Meeting, God met with Israel to communicate his will to them.

  • On the first day of the new year, they set up the Tent of Meeting. This was one year after God announced the Passover and the beginning of Israel's calendar.

40:3

Testimony (Hebrew ‘eduth): This word refers especially to the covenant laws (stipulations, meaning the required commands).

A written copy of these laws was placed inside the ark. This copy served as a witness to the covenant that Israel had made with God.

40:33

So Moses finished the work: This statement marks the completion of the work on the tabernacle. The long process of building and preparing all its parts had now come to an end. See study note on 37:1–29.

40:34–38

The most important part of the exodus happened when the glory of the Lord filled the Tent of Meeting.

From the beginning, God’s purpose was not only to rescue Israel from slavery. He wanted to bring them into a close relationship with himself. Their greatest need was to know God personally.

Without God’s presence, the promised land would not truly be a place of blessing. But now it would be different. The same glory that appeared on Mount Sinai was now with Israel. It would not stay behind. It would travel with them wherever they went.

40:38

all the house of Israel: This description reminds us of how the book of Exodus began (see 1:1–7). At that time, Jacob’s family had grown into a large group in Egypt. Later, they became slaves there. This was a dramatic change. They were no longer slaves. Now they were free.

God had promised Abraham that his descendants would bring blessing to all the nations (Genesis 12:3).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources