Exodus 40 – The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle
The tabernacle is set up exactly as God commanded, and the priestly ministry is inaugurated. Then, the cloud of God’s presence fills the sanctuary, declaring His approval, His nearness, and His leadership over Israel.
From Obedience to Indwelling
The final chapter of Exodus brings everything together: faithful construction, holy garments, sacred furniture, and now the visible presence of God. The journey from slavery to sanctuary ends with a glory that settles among them—proof that obedience invites the presence.
✔ The tabernacle is assembled on the first day of the new year.
✔ Every item is positioned and anointed as commanded.
✔ Aaron and his sons are consecrated for ministry.
✔ The glory of the LORD fills the tent with such intensity that none can enter.
📖 Key Verse: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” – Exodus 40:34
🔎 When God moves in, everything changes.
Exodus Chapter 40 Overview
Exodus 40:1–15 – The Command to Set It Up
📖 Exodus 40:1–2 – “On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.”
🔎 A new beginning:
🔹 The tabernacle is established at the turning of the year—symbolizing a fresh start and God’s redemptive order.
🔹 God gives detailed instructions not just on what to build, but when and how to assemble it.
📖 Exodus 40:12–15 – Aaron and his sons are washed, dressed, and anointed.
🔎 Preparation for service:
🔹 Priestly ministry begins with cleansing and consecration.
🔹 Their anointing was generational—intended to last “throughout their generations.”
➡️ Spiritual Insight: Before we serve, we must be sanctified. God doesn’t use the unclean vessel—He washes, clothes, and anoints.
Exodus 40:16–33 – Everything in Its Place
📖 Exodus 40:16 – “Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he.”
🔎 Full obedience:
🔹 Thirteen times in this chapter, it says Moses did it “as the Lord commanded him.”
🔹 From the ark to the altar, the tabernacle is established in perfect alignment.
📖 Exodus 40:33 – “So Moses finished the work.”
🔎 Completion and rest:
🔹 Moses’ obedience brought everything to its final moment. Nothing was left undone.
➡️ Faith Insight: God’s glory follows obedience. When the house is prepared, the presence descends.
Exodus 40:34–38 – The Glory Descends
📖 Exodus 40:34–35 – “Then a cloud covered the tent… and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
🔎 God moves in:
🔹 The cloud that once led them from Egypt now inhabits the tabernacle—signifying God’s approval and presence.
🔹 It was so intense that even Moses could not enter.
📖 Exodus 40:36–38 – The cloud guided them on every journey.
🔹 When the cloud lifted, they moved; when it stayed, they remained.
🔹 God was now their visible King and Shepherd.
➡️ Prophetic Insight: This cloud foreshadows the Holy Spirit who would dwell in the temple of believers (Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 3:16). God’s desire was always to dwell with and in His people.
Exodus Chapter 40 - Deeper Study
Overview: Completion, Consecration, and Glory
🔹 Theme: The journey ends in indwelling—God doesn’t just instruct; He inhabits.
🔹 Focus: Obedience results in presence.
🔹 Outcome: The tabernacle becomes the dwelling place of the Almighty.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Obedience invites the presence of God.
🔑 True worship requires sanctified servants.
🔑 God’s glory doesn’t visit—it dwells.
🔑 When the cloud moves, we follow.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 The tabernacle foreshadows Christ (John 1:14 – “He tabernacled among us”).
🔮 The descending glory mirrors Pentecost, when God’s Spirit filled the new temple—His people (Acts 2:1–4).
🔮 The cloud guiding Israel points to the Spirit’s leadership in the church age (Romans 8:14).
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Timeline – The tabernacle was completed roughly one year after the Exodus (Exodus 12:2 vs. 40:2).
📜 Structure – This movable tent became the model of worship and national identity for Israel.
📜 Theology – God’s descent into the tabernacle signaled His acceptance of Israel and His commitment to lead them.
Final Reflection: The God Who Dwells
The story that began with Israel in bondage ends with God in the midst of His people. From bricks without straw to garments of glory, from silence in Egypt to divine glory in the camp—Exodus is a story of God drawing near.
📌 Is your life prepared for His presence?
📌 Are you following the cloud, or building your own way?
📌 Does your obedience invite the indwelling glory?
🚀 God isn’t looking for a visit—He’s preparing a home. Make room.
The Tabernacle Erected
Exo 40:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Exo 40:3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
Exo 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.
Exo 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.
Exo 40:6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Exo 40:7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
Exo 40:8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
Exo 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.
Exo 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.
Exo 40:11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
Exo 40:12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
Exo 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.
Exo 40:14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
Exo 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.
Exo 40:16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
Exo 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.
Exo 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.
Exo 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.
Exo 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:
Exo 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.
Exo 40:22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
Exo 40:23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exo 40:24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Exo 40:25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
Exo 40:27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
Exo 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.
Exo 40:30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
Exo 40:31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
Exo 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.
Exo 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 Glory of the Lord
Exo 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exo 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.
Exo 40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
Exo 40:37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
Exo 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.
Date Written
1446-1406 BC
Written By
Moses
Language
Hebrew
Verses
38