Exodus 40:36

_AND WHEN THE CLOUD WAS TAKEN UP FROM OVER THE TABERNACLE, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WENT ONWARD IN ALL THEIR JOURNEYS:_ When the cloud was taken up. In journeying through the sandy trackless deserts of the East, the use of torches, exhibiting a cloud of smoke by day and of fire by night, has been resorted to from time immemorial. The armies of Darius and Alexander were conducted on their marches in this manner. The Arab caravans in the present day observe the same custom; and materials for these torches are stored up among other necessary preparations for a journey. Live fuel, hoisted in chafing-dishes at the end of long poles, and being seen at a great distance, serves, by the smoke in the daytime and by the light at night, as a better signal for march than the sound of a trumpet, which is not heard at the extremities of a large camp (Laborde). This usage and the miracle related by Moses...

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...

Verse Exodus 40:36. _WHEN THE CLOUD WAS TAKEN UP_] The subject of these three last verses has been very largely explained in the notes on Exodus 13:21, to which, as well as to the general remarks on that chapter, the reader is requested immediately to refer. Exodus 13:21, Exodus 13:21....

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 Even Moses had withdrawn, and left the tabernacle to itself—when suddenly, there was a manifestation of Divine Power.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 WHEN THE CLOUD WAS TAKEN UP FROM OVER THE TABERNACLE,.... By the Lord himself, or it removed by his order, that is, rose up and stood above the tabernacle, and appeared in the form of a pillar, and went before it: THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WENT ONWARD IN ALL THEIR JOURNEYS; the motion of the cloud was a direction to set forward and continue their journey as long as it lasted; but when it rested and abode upon the tabernacle, then they stopped and rested also, as is suggested in the following verse Exodus 40:37, see Numbers 9:17 thus the saints are to be followers of God as dear children, and to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes or directs, and walk after the Spirit, the dictates and directions thereof; so the wheels in Ezekiel's vision went and stood, as did the living creatures, and t

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

WHEN THE CLOUD, &c. This continued till Moses' death, when the ark (which till then was carried in the midst of the host) took its place and went "before them". See Joshua 3:3; Joshua 3:11. CHILDREN. sons. JOURNEYS. journeyings. Literally settings forward....

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...