Bible Pathways 1/31/2004
January 31
Read Exodus 40
In Today's Reading:
Tabernacle completed and erected; furnishings arranged; consecration of Aaron and sons; glory of the Lord fills theTabernacle
On Mount Sinai, God instructed Moses: Make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you (Exodus 25:8-9). After nine months, the building of the Tabernacle was completed (39:32; compare 19:1; 40:2). Moses did according to all that the LORD commanded him (40:16). This phrase emphasizes the supreme importance of obedience to the will of God (40:16-32). Moses' obedience was complete in every detail for making about 40 different items, including the tent, altars, vessels, Brass Laver, garments, pins, sockets, loops, posts, and furniture (25:40; 26:30; 39:42-43).
The first thing to be placed within the Tabernacle was the Ark of the Testimony which contained the Ten Commandments of God: On the first day of the first month you shall set up the Tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. And you shall put therein the Ark of the Testimony (witness). . . . He took and put the testimony (tablets of the Law) into the Ark . . And he brought the Ark into the Tabernacle . . . as the LORD commanded (40:2-3,20-21).
After the Tabernacle was constructed, the cloud of the Lord's presence (Exodus 13:21) and the Tabernacle were inseparable throughout the Israelites' journeys. If the cloud lifted and moved forward, the Tabernacle and the people then followed; if the cloud stopped, the people remained until it moved again (40:36-37).
God's Word provides all the wisdom, spiritual guidance, and strength necessary to live for Him. It is vital that we, like Moses, do all that the LORD commanded. The only possible way to understand all of what He has commanded is to read all of His Word with a desire to obey Him.
Soon, the glorious presence of God will again be seen on earth, as the Apostle John revealed while imprisoned on the island of Patmos because he was a Christian. He wrote: I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God (Revelation 21:2-3).
Word Studies:
40:3 cover the ark = install the veil as a partition; 40:7 laver = bowl used for washing; 40:8 hanging = curtains; 40:9 hallow = set apart, consecrate, dedicate; 40:10 sanctify = set apart for God; 40:11 his foot = its stand, base.
Christ Portrayed:
By Aaron as the high priest (Exodus 40:13). Christ being come a High Priest . . . entered. . . . to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:7-24).
Pray For:
Government Officials: Rep. Richard Gephardt (MO) and Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersburger (MD) · Country: Mexico (100 million) in North America · Major language: Spanish · Religious freedom · 88% Roman Catholic; 4% Protestant; .1% Eastern Orthodox · Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your hands in surrender and praise as you pray (Psalm 63:4).
Optional Reading: Mark 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:6
