Exodus 40:1–33 “A Miniature Universe”

Exodus 40:1-33 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• What A Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship
• Charity Gayle – I Speak Jesus
• Phil Wickham – Living Hope

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God is With Us – Lesson for Kids
• Waymaker – Sinach | Kids Worship with Motions  – Song for Kids
• He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands | Maker Fun Factory Music Videos | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• My God Is Powerful | True North VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After confirming that the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments had been completed according to God’s instructions, God commands Moses to set up the tabernacle on the “first day of the first month” (v. 2). He is told to separate the Most Holy Place (v. 3) from the Holy Place (v. 4), placing the Ark of the Covenant (Testimony) in the Most Holy Place, and the table, lampstand, and altar of incense in the Holy Place. The entrance to the tabernacle must be covered with a curtain (v. 5). In the outer courtyard, the altar of burnt offering (v. 6) and the basin for washing (v. 7) must be placed. A fence must be constructed around the outer courtyard, and the entrance should be on the east side, covered with a curtain (v. 8). After that, Moses is to anoint the tabernacle and all its furnishings (v. 9), as well as the altar of burnt offering and the basin in the outer courtyard (vv. 10–11), consecrating them with anointing oil.

The Lord also commands Moses to bring Aaron and his sons, wash them with water, clothe Aaron with the priestly garments, and anoint him to consecrate him as holy (vv. 12–13). His sons are also to be clothed with tunics and anointed, setting them apart as priests. In doing so, Aaron and his sons will hold the priesthood as a lasting ordinance (vv. 14–15).

Moses sets up the tabernacle just as the Lord commands, arranging all the furnishings and anointing them to make them holy (vv. 16–33). In the process of setting up the tabernacle, the phrase “as the Lord commanded him” is repeated seven times (vv. 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32). This repetition is reminiscent of Genesis 1, where the phrase “God saw that it was good” also appears seven times. The verse “So Moses finished the work” (v. 33) also echoes Genesis 2:1–2: “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so, on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”

Meditation:

Jewish rabbis and modern biblical scholars have long noted the connection between the creation account in Genesis 1 and the tabernacle narrative in Exodus. After God created everything, He “blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Gen 2:3). Similarly, after the tabernacle was completed, Moses “blessed them because they had done the work just as the Lord had commanded” (Exod. 39:43). He also anointed the tabernacle, its furnishings, and Aaron and his sons to consecrate them as holy. Just as God completed all His work and rested, Moses too finished all the work and entered into rest.

To make this connection clear to the reader, the author deliberately repeats the phrase “as the Lord commanded Moses” seven times. Any attentive reader would notice the unusual frequency of this repetition. It is meant to echo the refrain in Genesis 1: “And God saw that it was good.”

Seen this way, we can understand that the tabernacle was built as a “miniature universe.” The divine purpose embedded in the creation of heaven and earth is also embedded in the tabernacle. However, there is a critical difference between the two. Genesis 1 describes the original creation, whereas the tabernacle represents a miniature model of the world after the Fall. In the Garden of Eden described in Genesis 1, humanity enjoyed unhindered communion with God in perfect love. But after Adam and Eve sinned, a rupture occurred between God and humanity, and God’s original creation was broken. The curtain separating the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place symbolizes this profound disruption in the created world caused by sin.

The phrase “So Moses finished the work” (v. 33) reminds us of Jesus’ final words on the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30). By building the tabernacle, Moses made it possible for the Israelites to approach God indirectly through the mediation of priests. In contrast, Jesus—by His death—removed the curtain that had separated the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place, thus completing the work of restoring Eden. Now, through the blood of Jesus Christ, we can approach God with boldness.

Prayer:

As I behold the connections between Genesis 1’s creation story, Exodus’s tabernacle narrative, and Jesus Christ’s sacrificial story on the cross, I am filled with awe and wonder. The joy of reflecting on and contemplating the Lord’s works is sweeter than honey. I give thanks that You, Lord, are alive. I offer praise for all that You have done. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God’s tabernacle was built like a miniature version of the whole universe, showing that even after sin entered the world, God still wanted to be close to His people. Through Jesus, who tore the curtain separating us from God, we can now come to God freely and boldly.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Why do you think God wanted Moses to follow His instructions very carefully when building the tabernacle?
  • What do you think the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place showed about how close people could come to God?
  • How does it make you feel to know that Jesus made a way for us to come close to God again?
• Youth
  • The Bible says Moses did everything “just as the Lord commanded.” What does that teach us about our own obedience to God?
  • How is the tabernacle like a “miniature universe”? What does that say about God’s desire to dwell with us, even in a broken world?
  • Jesus tore the curtain that separated people from God. How can we live today knowing that nothing stands between us and God because of Jesus?