Moses Follows God’s Directions

The final chapter of Exodus effectively summarizes much of chapters 25–39, thereby underscoring the fact that God cares about how He is worshiped. We read in Exodus 40:1–15 directions for assembling the tabernacle components, arranging the sanctuary’s furniture, and consecrating the tent and the priesthood unto the Lord’s service. The precision of the details in these verses, as well as the detailed instructions earlier in the book, taught the Israelites that they had to be careful to obey God as they conducted worship. The same lesson applies to us today; the corporate worship of the Lord must be governed by biblical principles.

In today’s passage, we read that Moses followed exactly all the instructions from God on how to set up the tabernacle that are found in Exodus 25:1–40:15. Although the narrative of Exodus 40:16–33 repeatedly says that Moses did the work, we should not think that he did it alone. In Hebrew, one can single out the leader of a group of workers and mention only him specifically even though many people are involved in the labors. The original audience of Exodus would have understood that Moses led the work, probably teaching the Levites how to do it as he went, but not that he alone put the tabernacle together. Also, today’s passage is but a concise presentation of events. More details on the tabernacle and priesthood’s initial consecration as well as how the tabernacle was taken down and set up each time Israel found a resting place are given in Leviticus 8–10 and Numbers 4; 7–8.

Moses, as the old covenant mediator, took the lead in building the house of God. This invites parallels with Jesus, the new covenant Mediator, who takes the lead in building the church, God’s house in this present era. Actually, to say that Jesus takes the lead understates things. Properly speaking, Jesus is not merely directing the building project, but He is constructing the church, using us as His instruments. Paul can, in 1 Corinthians 3:9, refer to us as the Lord’s “fellow workers,” but in context he clearly does not mean that we are equivalent laborers with God. Yes, we may plant and water, but only our Creator can give the growth (1 Cor. 3:5–8). Other texts say that we are living stones being “built up as a spiritual house” by God (1 Peter 2:4–6). The Lord is pleased to use us to build His church, but ultimately He does the building, not us. Remembering that truth is vital for keeping us from becoming too prideful and for continually looking to the Lord for direction, not ourselves.