Exodus 40: Filled With Glory — ReidOne Bible Study

Exodus 40 (WEB)

1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

2 “On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.

3 You shall put the ark of the testimony in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.

4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps.

5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6 “You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.

7 You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein.

8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9 “You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture: and it will be holy.

10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar will be most holy.

11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.

12 “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water.

13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.

14 You shall bring his sons, and put coats on them.

15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”

16 Moses did so. According to all that Yahweh commanded him, so he did.

17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up.

18 Moses raised up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up its boards, and put in its bars, and raised up its pillars.

19 He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tabernacle above on it, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

20 He took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark.

21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

22 He put the table in the Tent of Meeting, on the side of the tabernacle northward, outside of the veil.

23 He set the bread in order on it before Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

24 He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

25 He lit the lamps before Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

26 He put the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting before the veil;

27 and he burnt incense of sweet spices on it, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

28 He put up the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

29 He set the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

30 He set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water therein, with which to wash.

31 Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet there.

32 When they went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

33 He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.

35 Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.

36 When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys;

37 but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up.

38 For the cloud of Yahweh was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Exodus 40 (KJV)

1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

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.

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.

6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

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.

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.

11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

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.

14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:

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.

16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.

23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord; as the Lord had commanded Moses.

24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

25 And he lighted the lamps before the Lord; as the Lord commanded Moses.

26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:

27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the Lord commanded Moses.

28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.

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.

30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.

31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:

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.

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.

34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

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.

36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:

37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

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.

Exodus 40 (ASV)

1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil.

4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

5 And thou shalt set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6 And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the furniture thereof: and it shall be holy.

10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of burnt-offering, and all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar shall be most holy.

11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it.

12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water.

13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments; and thou shalt anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them;

15 and thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

16 Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he.

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.

18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up its pillars.

19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

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:

21 and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

22 And he put the table in the tent of meeting, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.

23 And he set the bread in order upon it before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

25 And he lighted the lamps before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil:

27 and he burnt thereon incense of sweet spices; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

28 And he put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

29 And he set the altar of burnt-offering at the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the meal-offering; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

30 And he set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water therein, wherewith to wash.

31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat;

32 when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys:

37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

38 For the cloud of Jehovah was upon the tabernacle by day, and there was fire therein by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Summary

The book of Exodus reaches its glorious climax. On the first day of the first month of the second year, the Lord commands Moses to raise up the tabernacle. Moses sets everything in place: the ark with the testimony behind the veil, the table with its bread, the lamp stand with its lamps, the golden altar of incense, the screen at the door, the bronze altar with its offerings, and the basin between the tent and the altar. He anoints the tabernacle and its furnishings, consecrates the altar, and brings Aaron and his sons to be washed, robed, and anointed for the everlasting priesthood. Again and again the text repeats, "as Yahweh commanded Moses," and at last, "So Moses finished the work." Then the great moment comes: the cloud covers the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle, so that not even Moses can enter. From then on, the cloud guides Israel's journey—when it lifts, they travel; when it stays, they remain—for the cloud of the Lord is upon the tabernacle by day and fire by night, in the sight of all Israel. The God who delivered his people from Egypt now dwells in their midst. This is the goal of redemption: God with his people, a promise carried forward to Immanuel and at last to the new creation, where God will dwell with us forever.

Main Characters

Moses — The faithful servant who raises up and arranges the tabernacle, anoints and consecrates it, and finishes the work just as the Lord commanded.
Yahweh (the LORD) — The God whose glory descends to fill the tabernacle and whose cloud and fire guide Israel throughout all their journeys.
Aaron and his sons — The priests brought to the tent to be washed, clothed, and anointed for an everlasting priesthood to minister before the Lord.
The house of Israel — The redeemed people in whose sight the cloud rests by day and the fire shines by night as God dwells among them.

Key Verse

Exodus 40:34 (WEB)

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.

Lessons Learned

The goal of redemption is God dwelling in the midst of his people.
When God's people obey his word fully, his work is brought to completion and his glory comes.
God's presence both fills and guides his people, leading them step by step on their journey.
The glory filling the tabernacle anticipates God's ultimate dwelling with humanity in Christ and the new creation.

Redemption leads to God's dwelling among us. "Yahweh's glory filled the tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34, WEB). The exodus reaches its goal not at the Red Sea but in God making his home with his people.
Obedience prepares the way for glory. Moses did everything "as Yahweh commanded" and "finished the work" (Exodus 40:33, WEB); then the glory came. God's presence fills a house prepared in obedience.
God's presence guides his people. When the cloud lifted, "the children of Israel went onward" (Exodus 40:36, WEB). The God who dwells with us also leads us through every stage of the journey.
God's glory is meant to be seen. The cloud and fire were "in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys" (Exodus 40:38, WEB). His presence is a visible assurance to all his people.

How does the filling of the tabernacle with God's glory bring the story of Exodus to its climax?
Why is it significant that Moses did everything "as Yahweh commanded" before the glory descended?
What does it mean that not even Moses could enter the tent when the glory filled it?
How does the cloud and fire guiding Israel encourage us about God's presence in our own journeys?
How does this final picture of God dwelling among his people deepen your longing for his presence today?

Exodus began with God's people enslaved and ends with God dwelling gloriously among them (40:34). The true destination of redemption is not merely freedom from Egypt but fellowship with God himself. Help the group see God's presence as the goal toward which the whole book moves.
The repeated obedience and the finishing of the work precede the coming of the glory (40:33-34). God fills what is prepared according to his word. While his presence is grace, not earned, the pattern shows that obedience makes room for God's manifest glory among his people.
The glory was so overwhelming that even Moses could not enter (40:35). It reminds us of the holiness and weight of God's presence—a presence so great that sinners need a way to draw near, which God himself provides and which Christ at last opens fully.
The cloud and fire mean Israel never journeys alone; God's presence leads them at every step (40:36-38). For us, this assures that the God who dwells with his people in Christ also guides us through every season—we move and rest under his faithful care.
This is a personal-application question. Invite members to express their longing for God's nearness and to rejoice that in Christ, God has come to dwell with us, and one day will dwell with us forever (Revelation 21:3). As leader, close by resting in that hope.