Exodus 39:32-40:38, the finished Tabernacle

So all the work on the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.

Before the Tabernacle, Moses had set up a Tent of Meeting outside the camp. The Tabernacle is inside the camp.

The Tent of Meeting was man's attempt, and at the time, God honored it.

The Tabernacle, however, is God's way. A place and a series of lessons combined.

When was the last time we read that someone did something just as the Lord commanded?

Noah.

Both the Ark and the Tabernacle are pictures, or types, of Christ. Both were constructed by humans following exact instructions by God.

And I am reminded of the words that would come centuries later: "If you love me, you will obey me."

The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

Chapter 40, the last chapter of Exodus, tells of the setting up of the Tabernacle. Again, it is in response to God's exact directions. Only this time is it all Moses, according to the text. He took direct charge of the setting up of the Tabernacle, and at the end of verse 33, we read, And so Moses finished the work.

And then, accepting this work, the Shekinah Glory Cloud covers and fills the Tabernacle. Only this time Moses cannot enter the tent. It is too much. He is not shielded in a cleft of a rock this time, and it is too much.

And, keeping the Shekinah Glory over the Tabernacle, the Lord continued to guide the Israelites, showing them when to move camp, and where to travel. It was within sight of ALL the Israelites during all their travels. This is going to be important to remember later. All of them saw it.