Exode - Caput 40

Exode 40.1 locutusque est Dominus ad Mosen dicens Exode 40.2 mense primo die prima mensis eriges tabernaculum testimonii Exode 40.3 et pones in eo arcam dimittesque ante illam velum Exode 40.4 et inlata mensa pones super eam quae rite praecepta sunt candelabrum stabit cum lucernis suis Exode 40.5 et altare aureum in quo adoletur incensum coram arca testimonii tentorium in introitu tabernaculi pones Exode 40.6 et ante illud altare holocausti Exode 40.7 labrum inter altare et tabernaculum quod implebis aqua Exode 40.8 circumdabisque atrium tentoriis et ingressum eius Exode 40.9 et adsumpto unctionis oleo ungues tabernaculum cum vasis suis ut sanctificentur Exode 40.10 altare holocausti et omnia vasa eius Exode 40.11 labrum cum basi sua omnia unctionis oleo consecrabis ut sint sancta sanctorum Exode 40.12 adplicabisque Aaron et filios eius ad fores tabernaculi testimonii et lotos aqua Exode 40.13 indues sanctis vestibus ut ministrent mihi et unctio eorum in sacerdotium proficiat sempiternum Exode 40.14 [] Exode 40.15 [] Exode 40.16 fecitque Moses omnia quae praeceperat Dominus Exode 40.17 igitur mense primo anni secundi in prima die mensis conlocatum est tabernaculum Exode 40.18 erexitque illud Moses et posuit tabulas ac bases et vectes statuitque columnas Exode 40.19 et expandit tectum super tabernaculum inposito desuper operimento sicut Dominus imperarat Exode 40.20 posuit et testimonium in arca subditis infra vectibus et oraculum desuper Exode 40.21 cumque intulisset arcam in tabernaculum adpendit ante eam velum ut expleret Domini iussionem Exode 40.22 posuit et mensam in tabernaculo testimonii ad plagam septentrionalem extra velum Exode 40.23 ordinatis coram propositionis panibus sicut praeceperat Dominus Mosi Exode 40.24 posuit et candelabrum in tabernaculum testimonii e regione mensae in parte australi Exode 40.25 locatis per ordinem lucernis iuxta praeceptum Domini Exode 40.26 posuit et altare aureum sub tecto testimonii contra velum Exode 40.27 et adolevit super eo incensum aromatum sicut iusserat Dominus Exode 40.28 posuit et tentorium in introitu tabernaculi Exode 40.29 et altare holocausti in vestibulo testimonii offerens in eo holocaustum et sacrificia ut Dominus imperarat Exode 40.30 labrum quoque statuit inter tabernaculum testimonii et altare implens illud aqua Exode 40.31 laveruntque Moses et Aaron ac filii eius manus suas et pedes Exode 40.32 cum ingrederentur tectum foederis et accederent ad altare sicut praeceperat Dominus Exode 40.33 erexit et atrium per gyrum tabernaculi et altaris ducto in introitu eius tentorio postquam cuncta perfecta sunt Exode 40.34 operuit nubes tabernaculum testimonii et gloria Domini implevit illud Exode 40.35 nec poterat Moses ingredi tectum foederis nube operiente omnia et maiestate Domini coruscante quia cuncta nubes operuerat Exode 40.36 si quando nubes tabernaculum deserebat proficiscebantur filii Israhel per turmas suas Exode 40.37 si pendebat desuper manebant in eodem loco Exode 40.38 nubes quippe Domini incubabat per diem tabernaculo et ignis in nocte videntibus populis Israhel per cunctas mansiones suas

Exode : Caput 40

The Consecration of the Tabernacle: A Bond Between God and His People

Exodus chapter 40 records the completion and consecration of the tabernacle, a pivotal event in the history of God's people. This foundational text illustrates how God manifests His presence among His people. It describes the final assembly of the tabernacle, the anointing of its elements, and the ordination of the priests, thus emphasizing the exact fulfillment of divine instructions.

This chapter culminates with the glory of God filling the tabernacle, symbolizing the divine presence that guides Israel on its journeys. Thus, Exodus 40 serves as a model for understanding how God dwells among humankind. Let's consider together five biblical passages that shed light on the meaning of this divine dwelling place.

Acts 7:44

"In the wilderness, our ancestors were making the tabernacle of the covenant, just as God had commanded Moses, according to the pattern he had seen."

Stephen is referring here to the construction of the tabernacle as described in Exodus 40, recalling the importance of obedience to divine commandments.

John 1:14

"He who is the Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen his glory, the glory as of the Son One and only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

John evokes the glory of God filling the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35) by comparing it to the incarnation of Jesus, thus emphasizing the link between the Old and New Testaments.

Hebrews 9:11-12

"When Christ came as high priest of the good things that now exist, he entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by man, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and bulls, but by his own blood once for all in the Sanctuary and obtained eternal redemption."

The author of Hebrews compares the tabernacle of Exodus 40 to the "heavenly tabernacle" into which Christ enters, emphasizing the transcendence of Jesus' sacrifice.

2 Corinthians 6:16

"What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God. As God has said, 'I will dwell with them and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.'"

Paul here uses the language of God's presence in the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38) to describe the intimate relationship between God and believers, affirming that we are now His sanctuary.

Revelation 15:5

"After this I looked, and behold, the sanctuary, the tabernacle of the covenant in heaven, was open."

This apocalyptic vision refers to the tabernacle described in Exodus 40, thus demonstrating its eschatological relevance and the continuity of the divine presence throughout the ages.

Meditating on these passages, we realize that the tabernacle is not just a physical space, but a symbol of the divine presence that continues to accompany us today. We are called to welcome this presence into our lives and to live in communion with our God.