INTRODUCTION: Read Exodus 40:17-19 [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.
See All.... There you will find a description of Moses rearing up the tabernacle. We are told more about the construction of the tabernacle than any other material object in scripture. Not only are materials and dimensions described in great detail, the actual process of making and putting up the tabernacle is carefully told. Since God does nothing haphazardly, this description has much for us today. As such, it is a wonderful picture of the service of God in the church and in the life of the individual.  See how this passage teaches you as you read and study it.

1. HE RECEIVED THE MATERIALS (Exodus 39:32-41 [32] Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. [33] And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, [34] And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering, [35] The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, [36] The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread, [37] The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, [38] And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, [39] The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, [40] The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation, [41] The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.
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1. The Tabernacle and Its Furniture (Exodus 39:32-38 [32] Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. [33] And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, [34] And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering, [35] The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, [36] The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread, [37] The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, [38] And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
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1. The tent (Exodus 39:32-34 [32] Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. [33] And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, [34] And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,
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2. The ark of the testimony (Exodus 39:35The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,
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3. The table of shewbread (Exodus 39:36The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,
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4. The candlestick (Exodus 39:37The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
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5. The altar of incense (Exodus 39:38And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
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2. The Outer Court and Its Furniture (Exodus 39:39-40 [39] The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, [40] The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
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1. The brasen altar (Exodus 39:39The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
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2. The laver (Exodus 39:39The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
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3. The hangings of the court (Exodus 39:40The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
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3. The Holy Garments for Aaron (Exodus 39:41The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.
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2. HE INSPECTED THE WORK (Exodus 39:42-43 [42] According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. [43] And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
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1. It Was According to the Divine Pattern (Exodus 25:8-9 [8] And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. [9] According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
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2. Their Complete Obedience (Exodus 39:42According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.
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3. Moses’ Careful Inventory (Exodus 39:43And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
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1. He looked everything over.
2. They had done it as the Lord commanded.
3. He blessed the people.
3. HE SET EVERYTHING IN ITS PROPER ORDER (Exodus 40:1-8 [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.
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1. Everything at Its Proper Time (Exodus 40:1-2 [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.
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1. The date for rearing the tabernacle (Exodus 40:2On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
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1. The first day
2. The first month
3. The second year (Exodus 40:17And 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.
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2. The rearing of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:17And 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.
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2. Everything in Its Proper Place (Exodus 40:3-8 [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.
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1. The ark in its place (Exodus 40:3And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
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2. The table in its place (Exodus 40:4And 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.
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3. The candlestick in its place (Exodus 40:4And 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.
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4. The altar of incense in its place (Exodus 40:5And 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.
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5. The brasen altar in its place (Exodus 40:6And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
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6. The laver in its place (Exodus 40:7And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
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3. Everything with Its Proper Preparation (Exodus 40:4And 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.
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1. Bread on the table (Exodus 40:4And 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.
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2. Lamps in the candlestick (Exodus 40:4And 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.
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3. Water in the laver (Exodus 40:7And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
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4. HE SANCTIFIED EVERYTHING TO THE LORD (Exodus 40:9-16 [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.
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1. He Anointed the Tabernacle and Its Furniture (Exodus 40:9And 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.
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1. The ark
2. The table
3. The candlestick
4. The altar of incense
2. He Anointed the Furniture in the Outer Court (Exodus 40:10-11 [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.
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1. The brasen altar (Exodus 40:10And 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.
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2. The laver (Exodus 40:11And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
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3. He Anointed Aaron and His Sons (Exodus 40:12-16 [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.
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1. Washed at the door of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:12And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
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2. Clothed with the holy garments (Exodus 40:13-14 [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:
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3. Anointed with the holy oil (Exodus 40:15And 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.
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4. Established as an everlasting priesthood (Exodus 40:15And 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.
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5. Done according to the commandment of God (Exodus 40:16Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
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5. HE PUT THE COVERING OVER THE TABERNACLE (Exodus 40:17-19 [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.
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1. The Tabernacle Was Set Up (Exodus 40:17-18 [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.
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2. The Covering Was Spread Over (Exodus 40:19And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
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1. The curtains of fine twined linen (Exodus 26:1-6 [1] Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. [2] The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure. [3] The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. [4] And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. [5] Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another. [6] And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.
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1. Called the “tabernacle” (Exodus 26:1Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
   See All..., 6, 7; Exodus 36:13-14 [13] And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle. [14] And he made curtains of goats' hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them.
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2. Made of linen, blue, purple and scarlet (Exodus 26:1Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
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3. Decorated with cherubims of cunning work (Exodus 26:1Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
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4. Served as the inner ceiling of the tabernacle
5. Made of two sets of five curtains joined together (Exodus 26:2-6 [2] The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure. [3] The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. [4] And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. [5] Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another. [6] And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.
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2. The curtains of goats’ hair (Exodus 26:7-13 [7] And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. [8] The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure. [9] And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle. [10] And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. [11] And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. [12] And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. [13] And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
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1. Called the “tent” (Exodus 26:11-14 [11] And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. [12] And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. [13] And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it. [14] And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.
   See All...; Exodus 36:14And he made curtains of goats' hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them.
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2. Placed over the “tabernacle” as a covering (Exodus 26:7And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.
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3. Its color would be black.
4. Made of eleven curtains joined together (Exodus 26:7-13 [7] And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. [8] The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure. [9] And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle. [10] And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. [11] And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. [12] And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. [13] And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
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3. The rams skins dyed red (Exodus 26:14And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.
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1. Called “a covering for the tent”
2. Colored red as a picture of the blood of Christ and His sacrifice
4. The badgers’ skins (Exodus 26:14And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.
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1. Called “a covering above”
2. Would be all that the common Israelite saw
3. Would be brown in color (the color of earth)
6. HE PLACED THE ITEMS IN THEIR PROPER LOCATION (Exodus 40:20-33 [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.
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1. The Tabernacle (Exodus 40:20-27 [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.
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2. The Outer Court (Exodus 40:28-33 [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.
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7. THE LORD FILLED THE HOUSE WITH GLORY (Exodus 40:34-38 [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.
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1. The Coming of the Lord (Exodus 40:34Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
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1. The cloud to cover
2. The glory to fill
2. The Power of the Lord (Exodus 40:35And 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.
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3. The Guidance of the Lord (Exodus 40:36-38 [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.
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1. They journeyed when the cloud was taken up (Exodus 40:36And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
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2. They halted when the cloud remained (Exodus 40:37But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
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3. The fire replaced the cloud at night (Exodus 40:38For 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.
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CONCLUSION: God is not only concerned about rearing the tabernacle. He wants to build you up in Him. He wants to help you with your marriage and your family. Are you allowing Him to construct the life, the family, the church as He pleases?