Exodus 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._ MOSES WAS NOT ABLE TO ENTER. He might not have been called, and he would not attempt to enter without a call (Exodus 24:16). But it is said that he "was not able to enter;" and his inability might arise partly from the dense magnitude of the cloud, which filled every part of the tabernacle, and partly from reverential awe for the symbol of the divine presence. How does this circumstance show the incapacity of man, in his present state, to look upon the unveiled perfections of the Godhead! Moses could not endure the unclouded effulgence, nor the sublimest of the prophets (Isaiah 6:5). But what neither Moses nor the most eminent of God's messengers

34-38 The cloud covered the tabernacle even in the clearest day; it was not a cloud which the sun scatters. This cloud was a token of God's presence to be seen day and night, by all Israel, that they might never again question, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? It guided the camp of Israel through the wilderness. While the cloud rested on the tabernacle, they rested; when it removed, they followed it. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In light and fire the Shechinah made itself visible: God is Light; our God is a consuming Fire. Yet so dazzling was the light, and so dreadful the fire, that Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, till the splendour was abated. But what Moses could not do, our Lord Jesus has done, whom God caused to draw near; and who has invited us to come boldly, even to the mercy-seat. Being taught by the Holy Spirit to follow the ex...

On the distinction between the tent as the outer shelter and the tabernacle as the dwelling-place of Yahweh, which is very clear in these verses, see Exodus 26:1 note. The glory appeared as a light within and as a cloud on the outside. Exodus 40:35 Compare the entrance of the high priest into the holy of holies on the day of atonement, Leviticus 16:2, Leviticus 16:13. For special appearances of this glory in the tabernacle, see Numbers 14:10;...

EXPOSITION THE DESCENT OF THE GLORY OF GOD ON THE COMPLETED WORK. The work was finished the fist incense burnt (Exodus 40:27)—the first sacrifice offered (Exodus 40:29). Those who had watched the proceedings, and those who had been engaged in them, were probably about to retire to rest. Even Moses had withdrawn, and left the tabernacle to itself—when suddenly, there was a manifestation of Divine Power. The cloud, which had gone before the Israelites from Succoth onward (Exodus 13:20-2), and which had recently settled upon

AND MOSES WAS NOT ABLE TO ENTER INTO THE TENT OF THE CONGREGATION,.... He had been there before, both in the holy, and in the most holy place, to see that the furniture of each were put as the Lord directed, which being done he came out again; and now a cloud being on the outside of it, and the glory of the Lord within, he was so struck with an awe and reverence of the divine Being, of whose presence these were a symbol, that he could not engage his heart, or had not boldness to go into the tabernacle until he was called, Leviticus 1:1 for so it follows: BECAUSE THE CLOUD ABODE THEREON, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD FILLED THE TABERNACLE; there was something, no doubt, very venerable in the spreading cloud, as well as very striking in the refulgent glory, which commanded distance, even to a person that had been used to converse with God; Moses, that went into the midst of the

7. THE TABERNACLE SET UP, THE FINISHED WORK AND THE GLORY CHAPTER 40 _ 1. Jehovah gives the directions (Exodus 40:1)_ 2. Moses' obedience (Exodus 40:16) 3. The tabernacle set up (Exodus 40:17) 4. The ark brought in (Exodus 40:20) 5. The furniture placed and the offerings brought (Exodus 40:22) 6. The laver and the court (Exodus 40:30) 7. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle ...

XL. P S. THE ERECTION OF THE TENT. After a further summary of instructions mostly given before (Exodus 40:1), and involving the very latest developments (_cf._ the anointing of the assistant priests in Exodus 40:15), the actual erection is described _in_ Exodus 40:16, Moses himself inaugurating the ceremonial of worship (Exodus 40:23; Exodus 40:25; Exodus 40:27; Exodus 40:29). Bo

The cloud (see on Exodus 13:21-22) now takes up its abode on the Tent of Meeting (cf. Numbers 9:15 P), and the glory (see on Exodus 16:10) of Jehovah fills the DWELLING (_vv._34 f.). Ever afterwards, through the period of the Israelites" journeyings, the cloud, while they were stationary, remains upon the Tent of Meeting, with fire shining in it by night, its being lifted up from it being a signal that they are to break up camp, and move on (_vv._36 38). _the glory of_ JEHOVAH _filled the_ DWELLING] cf. Exodus 29:43....

THE TEXT OF EXODUS TRANSLATION 40 And Je-ho-vah spake unto Mo-ses, 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 Iaver 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 TABERNACLE ERECTED 1-16. Moses is commanded to uprear the Tabernacle and consecrate it, together with its furniture, and the priests by anointing them....