Directions for Setting up, in the Tabernacle
Exodus 40.1-8.
Verses 1, 2. "And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the
tent of the congregation."
THE first day of the first month is
significant of a beginning, or beginning anew. A type of the commencement of
the Christian dispensation at Pentecost. On the first day of the month the moon
began to shine afresh on the earth with light reflected from the sun: so the
Church, during the present night-time of the world, is appointed to shine in
the light of an absent Christ. A dispensation altogether new; characterised by
Messiah rejected, and the Comforter present, to communicate to the Church the
truth of Christ, and to maintain His Lordship.
"The tabernacle of the
tent of the congregation."
Both titles are here combined; the tabernacle
being the type of a dwelling-place for God through the Spirit, and the tent of
the congregation, typical of believers assembled in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
THE ARK.
Verse 3. "And thou shalt put therein the ark
of the testimony, and cover the ark with the veil."
The ark is
first mentioned, for it sets forth Jesus, God’s centre of gathering to His
own people, and in whom they are builded together for a habitation of God
through the Spirit (Eph. 2.22).
The veil was to be hung up before the
ark, the Holy Ghost thus signifying that the way into the Holiest was not then
made manifest; but to us, since Calvary, the veil is rent, and the way into the
Holiest is open; for we gather to the name of a risen and glorified Christ.
It is here called "the Ark of the Testimony," for the purpose for which the
Church is gathered is, that it should be a testimony to Him, and especially to
the great "mystery of godliness, God manifested in flesh, justified in the
Spirit, seen of angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world,
received up into glory."
THE TABLE.
Verse 4. "And thou
shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in
order upon it."
Where believers are gathered unto the Name of the
Lord Jesus, and builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit,
there in God’s presence, the sweet and sacred memorials of a
Saviour’s sufferings and death are to be observed.
It is
remarkable that after the ark, the table is first mentioned; and at Troas, on
the first day of the week, the disciples came together to break bread (Acts xx.
7).
If the communion of saints in the presence of God, and in the
remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ, is to be observed, it must be in
God’s order. "God is not the author of confusion." He has His order, and
this must be maintained. The table is to be a pure table, and all things which
are done in connection with it, must be done decently and in order, as in the
presence and fear of God.
THE LAMPSTAND.
"And thou shalt
bring in the lampstand, and light the lamps thereof."
Ministry,
according to God, in the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit, and in testimony
to the truth of Christ, has its place in connection with God’s dwelling
place. It is to be brought in, and its light maintained. Ministry in the power
of the Spirit of God, is to be in God’s order, according to His mind and
will; and the gifts of an ascended Saviour are "for the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ."
THE ALTAR OF GOLD.
Verse 5. "And thou shalt set the
altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony."
Teaching us that the worship of the Father in the Spirit and in truth, is
connected with Christ risen and glorified within the veil, through whom the
believer has boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.
THE HANGING OF THE DOOR.
"And put the hanging of the door
[entrance] to the tabernacle."
Christ said, "I am the door, by Me
if any man enter in he shall be saved." Faith in, and confession of the name of
Jesus, living, dying, risen and glorified, is the way, no mere ordinance, nor
anything else, is to take the place of Christ.
THE ALTAR OF BURNT
OFFERING.
Verse 6. "And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt
offering [ascending offering] before the door [entrance] of the tabernacle of
the tent of the congregation."
Christ, in death and resurrection,
in His atoning and accepted sacrifice, is to be set forth as the only ground of
communion and acceptance with God. And only through faith in Him can the
communion of saints be enjoyed.
THE LAVER.
Verse 7. "And
thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar,
and shall put water therein."
Christ is also to be set forth as
made of God, SANCTIFICATION to the believer, as well as redemption; and the
full provision of the Spirit of God for the sanctification of the believer
through the truth, is to be testified to.
THE COURT AND THE GATE.
Verse 8. "And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up
the hanging at the court gate."
Consistency of character and
conduct with the confession of the name of Christ is to be maintained, and the
exercise of fervent charity one towards another, with separation from the
world, is to be manifested even when not assembled together in Church
fellowship.