mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 40.xml

<div2 id="Ex.xli" n="xli" next="Lev" prev="Ex.xl" progress="50.58%" title="Chapter XL">
<h2 id="Ex.xli-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.xli-p0.2">CHAP. XL.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.xli-p1">In this chapter, I. Orders are given for the
setting up of the tabernacle and the fixing of all the
appurtenances of it in their proper places (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.1-Exod.40.8" parsed="|Exod|40|1|40|8" passage="Ex 40:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>), and the consecrating of it
(<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.9-Exod.40.11" parsed="|Exod|40|9|40|11" passage="Ex 40:9-11">ver. 9-11</scripRef>), and of the
priests, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.12-Exod.40.15" parsed="|Exod|40|12|40|15" passage="Ex 40:12-15">ver. 12-15</scripRef>. II.
Care is taken to do all this, and as it was appointed to be done,
<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.16-Exod.40.33" parsed="|Exod|40|16|40|33" passage="Ex 40:16-33">ver. 16-33</scripRef>. III. God
takes possession of it by the cloud, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.34-Exod.40.38" parsed="|Exod|40|34|40|38" passage="Ex 40:34-38">ver. 34</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.xli-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40" parsed="|Exod|40|0|0|0" passage="Ex 40" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xli-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.1-Exod.40.15" parsed="|Exod|40|1|40|15" passage="Ex 40:1-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.40.1-Exod.40.15">
<h4 id="Ex.xli-p1.8">The Rearing of the
Tabernacle. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xli-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p2.1">Lord</span>
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.   9 And thou
shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all
that <i>is</i> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xli-p3">The materials and furniture of the
tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they
must be put together. 1. God here directs Moses to set up the
tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work
of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing,
and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet
Moses will not erect it till he has express orders for doing so. It
is good to see God going before us in every step, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.23" parsed="|Ps|37|23|0|0" passage="Ps 37:23">Ps. xxxvii. 23</scripRef>. The time for doing
this is fixed to <i>the first day of the first month</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.2" parsed="|Exod|40|2|0|0" passage="Ex 40:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), which wanted but
fourteen days of a year since they came out of Egypt; and a good
year's work there was done in it. Probably the work was made ready
but just at the end of the year, so that the appointing of this day
gave no delay, or next to none, to this good work. We must not put
off any necessary duty under pretence of waiting for some
remarkable day; the present season is the most convenient. But the
tabernacle happening to be set up <i>on the first day of the first
month</i> intimates that it is good to begin the year with some
good work. Let him that is the first have the first; and let the
things of his kingdom be first sought. In Hezekiah's time we find
they began to sanctify the temple <i>on the first day of the first
month,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.29.17" parsed="|2Chr|29|17|0|0" passage="2Ch 29:17">2 Chron. xxix.
17</scripRef>. The new moon (which by their computation was the
first day of every month) was observed by them with some solemnity;
and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made
remarkable. Note, When a new year begins, we should think of
serving God more and better than we did the year before. Moses is
particularly ordered to set up the tabernacle itself first, in
which God would dwell and would be served (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.2" parsed="|Exod|40|2|0|0" passage="Ex 40:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), then to put the ark in its
place, and draw the veil before it (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.3" parsed="|Exod|40|3|0|0" passage="Ex 40:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), then to fix the table, and the
candlestick, and the altar of incense, without the veil (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.4-Exod.40.5" parsed="|Exod|40|4|40|5" passage="Ex 40:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>), and to fix the
hanging of the door before the door. Then in the court he must
place the altar of burnt offering, and the laver (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.6-Exod.40.7" parsed="|Exod|40|6|40|7" passage="Ex 40:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>); and, lastly, he
must set up the curtains of the court, and a hanging for a
court-gate. And all this would be easily done in one day, many
hands no doubt being employed in it under the direction of Moses.
2. He directs Moses, when he had set up the tabernacle and all the
furniture of it, to consecrate it and them, by anointing them with
the oil which was prepared for the purpose, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.30.25-Exod.30.29" parsed="|Exod|30|25|30|29" passage="Ex 30:25-29"><i>ch.</i> xxx. 25</scripRef>, &amp;c. It was there
ordered that this should be done; here it was ordered that it
should be done now, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.9-Exod.40.11" parsed="|Exod|40|9|40|11" passage="Ex 40:9-11"><i>v.</i>
9-11</scripRef>. Observe, Every thing was sanctified when it was
put in its proper place, and not till then, for till then it was
not fit for the use to which it was to be sanctified. As every
thing is beautiful in its season, so is every thing in its place.
3. He directs him to consecrate Aaron and his sons. When the goods
were brought into God's house, they were marked first, and then
servants were hired to bear the vessels of the Lord; and those must
be clean who were put into that office, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.12-Exod.40.15" parsed="|Exod|40|12|40|15" passage="Ex 40:12-15"><i>v.</i> 12-15</scripRef>. The law which was now
ordered to be put in execution we had before, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p3.11" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.1-Exod.29.46" parsed="|Exod|29|1|29|46" passage="Ex 29:1-46"><i>ch.</i> xxix.</scripRef> Thus in the visible
church, which is God's tabernacle among men, it is requisite that
there be ministers to keep the charge of the sanctuary, and that
they receive the anointing.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xli-p3.12" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40" parsed="|Exod|40|0|0|0" passage="Ex 40" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xli-p3.13" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.16-Exod.40.33" parsed="|Exod|40|16|40|33" passage="Ex 40:16-33" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.40.16-Exod.40.33">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xli-p4">16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.1">Lord</span> commanded him, so did he.
  17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second
year, on the first <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.2">Lord</span> commanded Moses.   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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.3">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.4">Lord</span>; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.5">Lord</span>
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.6">Lord</span>; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.7">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.8">Lord</span> commanded Moses.   28 And he set up
the hanging <i>at</i> the door of the tabernacle.   29 And he
put the altar of burnt offering <i>by</i> the door of the
tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the
burnt offering and the meat offering; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.9">Lord</span> commanded Moses.   30 And he set the
laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put
water there, to wash <i>withal.</i>   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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p4.10">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xli-p5">When the tabernacle and the furniture of it
were prepared, they did not put off the rearing of it till they
came to Canaan, though they now hoped to be there very shortly;
but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst
of their camp, while they were in the wilderness. Those that are
unsettled in the world must not think that this will excuse them in
their continued irreligion; as if it were enough to begin to serve
God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle
for God is a very needful and profitable companion even in a
wilderness, especially considering that our carcases may fall in
that wilderness, and we may be fixed in another world before we
come to fix in this.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xli-p6">The rearing of the tabernacle was a good
day's work; the consecrating of it, and of the priests, was
attended to some days after. Here we have an account only of that
new-year's-day's work. 1. Moses not only did all that God directed
him to do, but in the order that God appointed; for God will be
sought in the due order. 2. To each particular there is added an
express reference to the divine appointment, which Moses governed
himself by as carefully and conscientiously as the workmen did; and
therefore, as before, so here it is repeated, <i>as the Lord
commanded Moses,</i> seven times in less than fourteen verses.
Moses himself, as great a man as he was, would not pretend to vary
from the institution, neither to add to it nor diminish from it, in
the least punctilio. Those that command others must remember that
their Master also is in heaven, and they must do as they are
commanded. 3. That which was to be veiled be veiled (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.21" parsed="|Exod|40|21|0|0" passage="Ex 40:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>), and that which was to
be used he used immediately, for the instruction of the priests,
that by seeing him do the several offices they might learn to do
them the more dexterously. Though Moses was not properly a priest,
yet he is numbered among the priests (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.99.6" parsed="|Ps|99|6|0|0" passage="Ps 99:6">Ps. xcix. 6</scripRef>), and the Jewish writers call him
<i>the priest of the priests;</i> what he did he did by special
warrant and direction from God, rather as a prophet, or law-giver,
than as a priest. He set the wheels a going, and then left the work
in the hands of the appointed ministry. (1.) When he had placed the
table, he set the show-bread in order upon it (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.23" parsed="|Exod|40|23|0|0" passage="Ex 40:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>); for God will never have his
table unfurnished. (2.) As soon as he had fixed the candlestick,
<i>he lighted the lamps before the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.25" parsed="|Exod|40|25|0|0" passage="Ex 40:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. Even that dark dispensation
would not admit of unlighted candles. (3.) The golden altar being
put in its place, immediately he <i>burnt sweet incense thereon</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.27" parsed="|Exod|40|27|0|0" passage="Ex 40:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>); for God's
altar must be a smoking altar. (4.) The altar of the burnt-offering
was no sooner set up in the court of the tabernacle than he had a
<i>burnt-offering, and a meat-offering, ready to offer upon it,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.29" parsed="|Exod|40|29|0|0" passage="Ex 40:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. Some think,
though this is mentioned here, it was not done till some time
after; but it seems to me that he immediately began the ceremony of
its consecration, though it was not completed for seven days. (5.)
At the laver likewise, when he had fixed that, Moses himself washed
his hands and feet. Thus, in all these instances, he not only
showed the priests how to do their duty, but has taught us that
God's gifts are intended for use, and not barely for show. Though
the altars, and table, and candlestick, were fresh and new, he did
not say it was a pity to sully them; no, he handselled them
immediately. Talents were given to be occupied, not to be
buried.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xli-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.34-Exod.40.38" parsed="|Exod|40|34|40|38" passage="Ex 40:34-38" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.40.34-Exod.40.38">
<h4 id="Ex.xli-p6.8">The Tabernacle Filled with
Glory. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p6.9">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xli-p7">34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the
congregation, and the glory of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p7.1">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p7.2">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xli-p7.3">Lord</span> <i>was</i> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xli-p8">As when, in the creation, God had finished
this earth, which he designed for man's habitation, he made man,
and put him in possession of it, so when Moses had finished the
tabernacle, which was designed for God's dwelling-place among men,
God came and took possession of it. The <i>shechinah,</i> the
divine eternal Word, though not yet made flesh, yet, as a prelude
to that event, came and dwelt among them, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.14" parsed="|John|1|14|0|0" passage="Joh 1:14">John i. 14</scripRef>. This was henceforward the
<i>place of his throne,</i> and <i>the place of the soles of his
feet</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.43.7" parsed="|Ezek|43|7|0|0" passage="Eze 43:7">Ezek. xliii. 7</scripRef>);
here he resided, here he ruled. By the visible tokens of God's
coming among them to take possession of the tabernacle he testified
both the return of his favour to them, which they had forfeited by
the golden calf (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.33.7" parsed="|Exod|33|7|0|0" passage="Ex 33:7"><i>ch.</i> xxxiii.
7</scripRef>), and his gracious acceptance of all the expense they
had been at, and all the care and pains they had taken about the
tabernacle. Thus God owned them, showed himself well pleased with
what they had done, and abundantly rewarded them. Note, God will
dwell with those that prepare him a habitation. The broken and
contrite heart, the clean and holy heart, that is furnished for his
service, and devoted to his honour, shall be his <i>rest for
ever;</i> here will Christ dwell by faith, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.17" parsed="|Eph|3|17|0|0" passage="Eph 3:17">Eph. iii. 17</scripRef>. Where God has a throne and an
altar in the soul, there is a living temple. And God will be sure
to own and crown the operations of his own grace and the observance
of his own appointments.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xli-p9">As God had manifested himself upon mount
Sinai, so he did now in this newly-erected tabernacle. We read
(<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.24.16" parsed="|Exod|24|16|0|0" passage="Ex 24:16"><i>ch.</i> xxiv. 16</scripRef>) that
<i>the glory of the Lord abode upon Mount Sinai,</i> which is said
to be like <i>devouring fire</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.17" parsed="|Exod|40|17|0|0" passage="Ex 40:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>), and that the <i>cloud covered
it</i> on the outside, and the <i>glory of the Lord filled it</i>
within, to which, probably there is an allusion in <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.5" parsed="|Zech|2|5|0|0" passage="Zec 2:5">Zech. ii. 5</scripRef>, where God promises to be
a <i>wall of fire round about Jerusalem</i> (and the pillar of
cloud was by night a pillar of fire) <i>and the glory in the midst
of her.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xli-p10">I. <i>The cloud covered the tent.</i> That
same cloud which, as the chariot or pavilion of the
<i>shechinah,</i> had come up before them out of Egypt and led them
hither, now settled upon the tabernacle and hovered over it, even
in the hottest and clearest day; for it was none of those clouds
which the sun scatters. This cloud was intended to be, 1. A token
of God's presence constantly visible day and night (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.38" parsed="|Exod|40|38|0|0" passage="Ex 40:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>) to all Israel, even to
those that lay in the remotest corners of the camp, that they might
never again make a question of it, <i>Is the Lord among us, or is
he not?</i> That very cloud which had already been so pregnant with
wonders in the Red Sea, and on Mount Sinai, sufficient to prove God
in it of a truth, was continually <i>in sight of all the house of
Israel throughout all their journeys;</i> so that they were
inexcusable if they believed not their own eyes. 2. A concealment
of the tabernacle, and the glory of God in it. God did indeed dwell
among them, but he dwelt in a cloud: <i>Verily thou art a God that
hidest, thyself.</i> Blessed be God for the gospel of Christ, in
which <i>we all with open face behold as in a glass,</i> not in a
cloud, <i>the glory of the Lord.</i> 3. A protection of the
tabernacle. They had sheltered it with one covering upon another,
but, after all, the cloud that covered it was its best guard. Those
that dwell in the house of the Lord are hidden there, and are safe
under the divine protection, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.4-Ps.27.5" parsed="|Ps|27|4|27|5" passage="Ps 27:4,5">Ps.
xxvii. 4, 5</scripRef>. Yet this, which was then a peculiar favour
to the tabernacle, is promised to every dwelling-place of mount
Zion (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.4.5" parsed="|Isa|4|5|0|0" passage="Isa 4:5">Isa. iv. 5</scripRef>); for
<i>upon all the glory shall be a defence.</i> 4. A guide to the
camp of Israel in their march through the wilderness, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.36-Exod.40.37" parsed="|Exod|40|36|40|37" passage="Ex 40:36,37"><i>v.</i> 36, 37</scripRef>. While the cloud
continued on the tabernacle, they rested; when it removed, they
removed and followed it, as being purely under divine direction.
This is spoken of more fully, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.19 Bible:Ps.78.14 Bible:Ps.105.39" parsed="|Num|9|19|0|0;|Ps|78|14|0|0;|Ps|105|39|0|0" passage="Nu 9:19,Ps 78:14,105:39">Num. ix. 19; Ps. lxxviii. 14; cv.
39</scripRef>. As before the tabernacle was set up the Israelites
had the cloud for their guide, which appeared sometimes in one
place and sometimes in another, but henceforward rested on the
tabernacle and was to be found there only, so the church had divine
revelation for its guide from the first, before the scriptures were
written, but since the making up of that canon it rests in that as
its tabernacle, and there only it is to be found, as in the
creation the light which was made the first day, centered in the
sun the fourth day. Blessed be God for the law and the
testimony!</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xli-p11">II. <i>The glory of the Lord filled the
tabernacle,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.34-Exod.40.35" parsed="|Exod|40|34|40|35" passage="Ex 40:34,35"><i>v.</i> 34,
35</scripRef>. The <i>shechinah</i> now made an awful and pompous
entry into the tabernacle, through the outer part of which it
passed into the most holy place, as the presence-chamber, and there
seated itself between the cherubim. It was in light and fire, and
(for aught we know) no otherwise, that the <i>shechinah</i> made
itself visible; for <i>God is light; our God is a consuming
fire.</i> With these the tabernacle was now filled, yet, as before
the bush was not consumed, so now the curtains were not so much as
singed by this fire; for to those that have received the anointing
the terrible majesty of God is not destroying. Yet so dazzling was
the light, and so dreadful was the fire, that Moses was <i>not able
to enter into the tent of the congregation,</i> at the door of
which he attended, till the splendour had a little abated, and the
glory of the Lord retired within the veil, <scripRef id="Ex.xli-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.35" parsed="|Exod|40|35|0|0" passage="Ex 40:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. This shows how terrible the
glory and majesty of God are, and how unable the greatest and best
of men are to stand before him. The divine light and fire, let
forth in their full strength, will overpower the strongest heads
and the purest hearts. But what Moses could not do, in that <i>he
was weak through the flesh,</i> has been done by our Lord Jesus,
whom God caused to draw near and approach, and who, as the
forerunner, <i>has for us entered,</i> and has invited us to come
boldly even to the mercy-seat. He was able to enter into the holy
place not made with hands (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.24" parsed="|Heb|9|24|0|0" passage="Heb 9:24">Heb. ix.
24</scripRef>); nay, he is himself the true tabernacle, filled with
the glory of God (<scripRef id="Ex.xli-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:John.1.14" parsed="|John|1|14|0|0" passage="Joh 1:14">John i.
14</scripRef>), even with the divine grace and truth prefigured by
this fire and light. In him the shechinah took up its rest for
ever, for in him <i>dwells all the fulness of the godhead
bodily.</i> Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!</p>
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