*Scripture: Exodus 39:32—40:16 (NKJV)* 39:32 Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses; so they did. 33 And they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its furnishings: its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 34 the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of badger skins, and the veil of the covering; 35 the ark of the Testimony with its poles, and the mercy seat; 36 the table, all its utensils, and the showbread; 37 the pure gold lampstand with its lamps (the lamps set in order), all its utensils, and the oil for light; 38 the gold altar, the anointing oil, and the sweet incense; the screen for the tabernacle door; 39 the bronze altar, its grate of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils; the laver with its base; 40 the hangings of the court, its pillars and its sockets, the screen for the court gate, its cords, and its pegs; all the utensils for the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting; 41 and the garments of ministry, to minister in the holy place: the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister as priests. 42 According to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43 Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.
40:1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 3 You shall put in it the ark of the Testimony, and partition off the ark with the veil. 4 You shall bring in the table and arrange the things that are to be set in order on it; and you shall bring in the lampstand and light its lamps. 5 You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the Testimony, and put up the screen for the door of the tabernacle. 6 Then you shall set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 7 And you shall set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 8 You shall set up the court all around, and hang up the screen at the court gate. 9 And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it; and you shall hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy. 10 You shall anoint the altar of the burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar. The altar shall be most holy. 11 And you shall anoint the laver and its base, and consecrate it. 12 Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting and wash them with water. 13 You shall put the holy garments on Aaron, and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. 14 And you shall bring his sons and clothe them with tunics. 15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” 16 Thus Moses did; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did. *Devotion* In Exodus 29:45 the Lord had promised that the Tabernacle would be the place where He would graciously “dwell among the children of Israel and be their God.” He would speak to them through Moses and Aaron. Through the ritual sacrifices, meals, and other ceremonies of this place Israel would have safe access to His presence. There they would obtain the blessings of His forgiveness and His abiding protection and care. This was meant to point to Christ, Who “came with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.” (Heb. 9:11). “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14). Jesus Christ is Immanuel—”God with us.” Jesus has promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20). And again, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20). God gave the tabernacle and its worship services to Old Testament Israel so that He could dwell with His people. In Christ, God now tabernacles among us. This is the basis of our worship, for in the Divine Service we, the baptized, gather in Christ’s name and He is present in our midst to act as our God. There He speaks His gracious word of forgiveness and blessing to us. There He feeds us with His own Body and Blood, covered in the tent of bread and wine, that we might share in His holiness and life. Rev. Dcn. Jerry Dulas, as eCourier of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America
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