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英語原文
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 (Ex 40:1-8), and the consecrating of it (Ex 40:9-11), and of the priests, Ex 40:12-15. II. Care is taken to do all this, and as it was appointed to be done, Ex 40:16-33. III. God takes possession of it by the cloud, Ex 40:34-38, etc.
1-33
The Rearing of the Tabernacle (1491 BC)
简体中文
会幕的竖立（主前1491年）
¹ 耶和华晓谕摩西说：
² 正月初一日，你要立起会幕。
³ 将法柜安在里面，用幔子将柜遮掩。
⁴ 把桌子搬进去，摆设当摆设的物；把灯台搬进去，点其上的灯。
⁵ 把烧香的金坛安在法柜前，挂上会幕的门帘。
⁶ 把燔祭坛安在会幕门前。
⁷ 把洗濯盆安在会幕和坛之间，盛水在内。
⁸ 又要在四围立院子的帷子，挂上院门。
⁹ 你要取膏油，膏会幕和其中所有的，使它成圣；其中的器具也都要成圣，就都为圣。
¹⁰ 又要膏燔祭坛和一切器具，使坛成圣，就成为至圣。
¹¹ 要膏洗濯盆和盆座，使盆成圣。
¹² 要使亚伦和他儿子到会幕门口来，用水洗他们。
¹³ 给亚伦穿上圣衣，又膏他，使他成圣，可以供祭司的职分事奉我。
¹⁴ 要使他的儿子前来，给他们穿上内袍。
¹⁵ 你怎样膏他们的父亲，也要照样膏他们，使他们供祭司的职分事奉我；他们受膏必世世代代永远为祭司。
会幕的物料和陈设既已逐件验收，便须装配起来。1. 神在此指示摩西将会幕及其器具安置妥位。会幕的工程虽已完成，样样齐备可以竖立，百姓无疑也十分渴望看见它立起来，然而摩西未得明确的命令，就不动手竖立。看见神在我们每一步之先先行，是好的（诗37:23）。行这事的时间定在正月初一日（出40:2），距他们出埃及差十四天便满一年；这一年中的工作可谓卓然可观。大概工程恰好年终完工，所以指定这一日并未使这善工受到耽延，或几乎没有。我们不可借口等待某个特别的日子而推迟任何当尽的本分；眼下便是时候。但会幕恰在正月初一日立起来，暗指年初即着手善工是好的。当把首生的献为初熟之物；当先求他国的事。希西家年间，我们发现他们正是在正月初一日开始洁净圣殿的（代下29:17）。新月（按他们的算法即每月初一日）要稍加严肃地守节；因此一年之首的这个新月便如此显为特别。当注意，新年开始之时，我们当思想比前一年更多地、更好地事奉神。摩西受命先立起会幕本身，使神在其中居住、受事奉（出40:2），然后安放法柜，在其前张挂幔子（出40:3），再在幔子外安置桌子、灯台和香坛（出40:4-5），并在门口挂上门帘。然后在院内安置燔祭坛和洗濯盆（出40:6-7）；最后要立起院子的帷子，并挂上院门。这一切必可在一天之内轻松完成，无疑有许多人在摩西指挥下从事其工。2. 神又指示摩西，将会幕及其陈设竖立之后，要用为这目的所预备的膏油抹它们，使其分别为圣（出30:25-29等）。那里曾命如此行，这里则命此时当行（出40:9-11）。当留意，每一样物件是在它被安放在本位上时才成圣，而非在此之前，因为在此之前它尚未适宜于被分别为圣的用途。万物在合宜之时为美，照样万物在本位之上也为美。3. 神又指示他要分别为圣亚伦和他的儿子。货物既搬入神的家，先要作记号，然后才雇用仆人来持守主的器皿；担任此职的必须洁净（出40:12-15）。这里命即刻执行的律法，前文已有记载（出29:1-46）。照样，在可见的教会——即神在人间支搭的会幕——中，必须有执事看守圣所的职责，他们也必须领受膏抹。
¹⁶ 摩西这样行，都是照耶和华所吩咐他的。
¹⁷ 第二年正月初一日，帐幕就立起来。
¹⁸ 摩西立起帐幕，安上卯，立上板，穿上杠，立起柱子。
¹⁹ 在帐幕以上铺罩棚的盖，又把盖放在上面，是照耶和华所吩咐摩西的。
²⁰ 他把法版放在柜内，把杠穿在柜的两旁，把施恩座安在柜上。
²¹ 把柜抬进帐幕，挂上遮掩至圣所的幔子，把法柜遮掩，是照耶和华所吩咐摩西的。
²² 又把桌子安在会幕内，帐幕北边，幔子外。
²³ 在耶和华面前将饼陈设在桌子上，是照耶和华所吩咐摩西的。
²⁴ 又把灯台安在会幕内，对着桌子，在帐幕南边。
²⁵ 在耶和华面前点灯，是照耶和华所吩咐摩西的。
²⁶ 把金坛安在会幕内，幔子前。
²⁷ 在坛上烧馨香料作的香，是照耶和华所吩咐摩西的。
²⁸ 又挂上会幕的门帘。
²⁹ 把燔祭坛安在会幕门前，在其上献燔祭和素祭，是照耶和华所吩咐摩西的。
³⁰ 把洗濯盆安在会幕和坛之间，盛水在内，以便洗濯。
³¹ 摩西和亚伦并亚伦的儿子，都在这盆里洗手洗脚。
³² 他们进会幕，或就近坛的时候，便都洗濯，是照耶和华所吩咐摩西的。
³³ 他在帐幕和坛的四围立起院子的帷子，挂上院门。摩西就这样完了一切的工。
会幕及其陈设既已预备好，他们并没有等到进了迦南才竖立它，虽然他们那时盼望很快就要到达那里；而是顺服神的旨意，在他们尚在旷野之时，就在营盘当中把它立起来。世上居无定所之人，不可因此作为自己持续不敬虔的借口；仿佛等到开始在世上安定下来时才事奉神就够了。不；即使在旷野之中，神的一座会幕也是极其必要且有益的同伴，特别考虑到我们的尸首可能倒在旷野，我们可能尚未在今世定居，已在另一世界被安置。
竖立会幕是一日之功；分别为圣会幕和祭司则在数日后才办理。此处只记述那年首之日的工作。1. 摩西不仅行了神所指示的一切，且按着神所定的次序而行；因为神要在合宜的次序中被寻求。2. 每一件事上都附加明文参照那神圣的命定；摩西正如工匠那样，小心翼翼、敬虔庄重地以此约束自己；因此，与前文一样，这里在不到十四节中七次重复——是照耶和华所吩咐摩西的。摩西虽然为人伟大，也不敢丝毫偏离这制度，不敢加添什么，也不敢减少什么。凡吩咐别人的，当记得他们的主也在天上，他们当照所受的命令而行。3. 当遮掩的他便遮掩（出40:21），当使用的他便立时使用，为要教导祭司，使他们看见他行各样职事，便可学得更熟练。摩西虽严格说来不是祭司，却被列在祭司之中（诗99:6），犹太作者称他为祭司中的祭司；他所行的，是凭神特别的凭据和指示，与其说是作祭司，不如说是作先知、作立法者。他推动了轮子，便将工作交在所设立的职事手中。（1.）他安置了桌子之后，便在其上将饼按次序陈设（出40:23）；因为神绝不容他的桌子没有陈设。（2.）他安放灯台之后，便在耶和华面前点灯（出40:25）。即使是那样幽暗的职事，也不容许有未点的灯。（3.）金坛既已安放妥当，他立时在其上烧馨香料作的香（出40:27）；因为神的坛必须是冒烟的坛。（4.）燔祭坛一在会幕的院内立起，他便有燔祭和素祭，准备在其上献上（出40:29）。有人以为此事虽在此提及，却是许久之后才行的；但在我看来，他立即开始了分别为圣的礼仪，纵使这礼仪要七天才完成。（5.）他安放洗濯盆之后，摩西自己也洗手洗脚。如此，在这一切事上，他不但向祭司示范了当怎样尽他们的职分，也教导我们：神的恩赐是为使用而设，并非仅为陈列。坛、桌子、灯台虽是崭新簇亮的，他并未说可惜了要弄脏它们；不，他立即开了工。才干之所以赐下，是要去运用，并非要埋藏起来。
英語原文
The Rearing of the Tabernacle (1491 BC)
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.
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.
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, Ps 37:23. The time for doing this is fixed to the first day of the first month (Ex 40:2), 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 on the first day of the first month 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 on the first day of the first month, 2Ch 29:17. 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 (Ex 40:2), then to put the ark in its place, and draw the veil before it (Ex 40:3), then to fix the table, and the candlestick, and the altar of incense, without the veil (Ex 40:4,5), 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 (Ex 40:6,7); 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, Ex 30:25-29, etc. It was there ordered that this should be done; here it was ordered that it should be done now, Ex 40:9-11. 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, Ex 40:12-15. The law which was now ordered to be put in execution we had before, Ex 29:1-46 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.
¹⁶ Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
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.
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.
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.
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, as the Lord commanded Moses, 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 (Ex 40:21), 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 (Ps 99:6), and the Jewish writers call him the priest of the priests; 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 (Ex 40:23); for God will never have his table unfurnished. (2.) As soon as he had fixed the candlestick, he lighted the lamps before the Lord, Ex 40:25. Even that dark dispensation would not admit of unlighted candles. (3.) The golden altar being put in its place, immediately he burnt sweet incense thereon (Ex 40:27); 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 burnt-offering, and a meat-offering, ready to offer upon it, Ex 40:29. 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.
34-38
The Tabernacle Filled with Glory (1491 BC)
简体中文
会幕被荣耀充满（公元前1491年）
³⁴ 当时，云彩遮盖会幕，耶和华的荣光充满了帐幕。
³⁵ 摩西不能进会幕，因为云彩停在其上，耶和华的荣光充满了帐幕。
³⁶ 以色列人往前行的时候，云彩就从帐幕收上去。
³⁷ 云彩若不收上去，他们就不起程，直等到云彩收上去的日子。
³⁸ 在他们一切的行程中，日间有耶和华的云彩在帐幕以上，夜间则其中有火，在以色列全家眼前都是如此。
正如在创造之时，神造完了这要作人居所的地球，便造了人，使人得地为业；照样，当摩西造完了这要作神在人中间居所的会幕，神便来将其据为己有。这舍金纳（shechinah），即神性永恒的道，虽尚未成为肉身，却已作为那事的先声，来住在他们中间（约1:14）。自此以后，这里便是他宝座之处，他脚掌所踏之处（结43:7）；他在此居住，在此掌权。神借这些可见的记号，亲临他们中间接管会幕，既表明了他对他们的恩宠已经转回——这恩宠曾因金牛犊之罪而被亏缺（出33:7）——又表明了他恩慈地悦纳他们为会幕所付的一切代价、所尽的一切心力。这样，神承认了他们，表明自己对他们所做的甚为喜悦，并丰丰富富地赏赐了他们。注意，神要居住在为他预备居所的人中间。那痛悔谦卑的心，那清洁圣洁、装备好服事他、奉献于尊荣他的心，必作他永远安息之处；基督要借着信住在这里（弗3:17）。在神于其中有宝座和祭坛的灵魂里，那里便有了一座活的圣殿。神也必亲自承认并加冠他自己恩典的作为，以及对他自己所设立之规条的遵守。
正如神曾在西奈山上显明自己，如今他也在这新立的会幕中显明自己。我们读到（出24:16）耶和华的荣耀停在西奈山上，被称为犹如烈火（出40:17），并且云彩遮盖山的外面，而耶和华的荣耀充满其中——亚2:5可能正是对此的影射，那里神应许要作耶路撒冷四围的火城（白日为云柱的，夜间即为火柱），并要作其中的荣耀。
I. 云彩遮盖帐幕。 那同一朵云，原作为舍金纳的车辇与帷幔，曾从埃及领他们出来、引他们到这里，如今却停在会幕之上，笼罩其上，即使是在最炎热晴朗的日子也是如此；因为它绝非日头所能驱散的那种云。这云彩被定意为：1. 神同在的记号，昼夜向全体以色列人常显可见（出40:38），甚至营中最偏远角落的人也能看见，使他们永不再质疑：耶和华在我们中间，还是不在？ 那曾在红海与西奈山上满了奇事的云彩，已足以证明神确实在其间，如今却继续在以色列全家眼前，在他们一切行程中常显不辍；因此他们若不信自己的眼目，便无可推诿。2. 会幕的遮蔽，也是其中神荣耀的遮蔽。神确是住在他们中间，却住在云中：你实在是自隐的神。 为基督的福音称颂神吧，在其中我们众人既然敞着脸得以看见，如同从镜子里返照，不是在云中，而是看见主的荣光。3. 会幕的保护。他们曾用一层又一层罩盖遮蔽它，但归根结底，遮盖它的云彩才是它最好的护卫。住在耶和华殿中的，便隐藏在那里，在神的保护下安然无虞（诗27:4,5）。然而，这当时只属于会幕的特殊恩宠，如今却应许赐给锡安山的每一居所（赛4:5）；因为在一切荣耀之上必有遮蔽。4. 以色列营在旷野行进中的引导（出40:36,37）。云彩停留在会幕上时，他们就安营；云彩一收去，他们就拔营追随，全然受神的引导。此事在民9:19、诗78:14与105:39中有更详尽的记述。正如会幕设立之前，以色列人已有云彩为引，有时显于此处，有时显于彼处；但自此以后云彩便安息于会幕之上，惟在那里方可寻见——照样，教会在圣经写成之前，早有神的启示为引导；但自正典成全之后，启示便安息其中，以此为会幕，惟在那里方可寻见；正如创造之工中，第一日所造的光，在第四日集中于太阳之中。为律法和见证称颂神吧！
II. 耶和华的荣光充满了会幕（出40:34,35）。舍金纳如今以庄严隆盛的姿态进入会幕，经外层直入至圣所，以之为觐见之室，便在二基路伯之间安居其位。舍金纳乃借光与火（就我们所知，别无他法）显其可见；因为神就是光；我们的神乃是烈火。会幕如今被这些所充满，然而正如昔日荆棘未被烧毁，如今幔子也丝毫未被这火烤焦；因为对于已受膏抹的人而言，神可畏的威严并不具毁灭性。然而那光是如此耀眼，那火是如此可畏，以致摩西不能进会幕——他原侍立在门前，直等到荣光稍减、耶和华的荣耀退入幔内（出40:35）。这表明神的荣耀与威严何等可畏，纵是最伟大、最圣洁的人，在他面前也站立不住。神的光与火若以其全力释放，必压倒最强的头脑和最清的心。然而摩西因肉体软弱所不能成的，已由我们的主耶稣成就了——神使他亲近、使他前来，他作先锋为我们进入了，并邀请我们坦然无惧地来到施恩座前。他能进入那非人手所造的圣所（来9:24）；不，他自己就是那真正的会幕，充满了神的荣耀（约1:14），就是这火与光所预表的属神恩典与真理。在他里面，舍金纳永远安息，因为神本性一切的丰盛都有形有体地居住在基督里面。为耶稣基督称颂神吧！
英語原文
The Tabernacle Filled with Glory (1491 BC)
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.
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 shechinah, the divine eternal Word, though not yet made flesh, yet, as a prelude to that event, came and dwelt among them, Joh 1:14. This was henceforward the place of his throne, and the place of the soles of his feet (Eze 43:7); 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 (Ex 33:7), 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 rest for ever; here will Christ dwell by faith, Eph 3:17. 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.
As God had manifested himself upon mount Sinai, so he did now in this newly-erected tabernacle. We read (Ex 24:16) that the glory of the Lord abode upon Mount Sinai, which is said to be like devouring fire (Ex 40:17), and that the cloud covered it on the outside, and the glory of the Lord filled it within, to which, probably there is an allusion in Zec 2:5, where God promises to be a wall of fire round about Jerusalem (and the pillar of cloud was by night a pillar of fire) and the glory in the midst of her.
I. The cloud covered the tent. That same cloud which, as the chariot or pavilion of the shechinah, 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 (Ex 40:38) 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, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? 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 in sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys; 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: Verily thou art a God that hidest, thyself. Blessed be God for the gospel of Christ, in which we all with open face behold as in a glass, not in a cloud, the glory of the Lord. 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, Ps 27:4,5. Yet this, which was then a peculiar favour to the tabernacle, is promised to every dwelling-place of mount Zion (Isa 4:5); for upon all the glory shall be a defence. 4. A guide to the camp of Israel in their march through the wilderness, Ex 40:36,37. 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, Nu 9:19, Ps 78:14,105:39. 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!
II. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, Ex 40:34,35. The shechinah 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 shechinah made itself visible; for God is light; our God is a consuming fire. 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 not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, at the door of which he attended, till the splendour had a little abated, and the glory of the Lord retired within the veil, Ex 40:35. 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 he was weak through the flesh, has been done by our Lord Jesus, whom God caused to draw near and approach, and who, as the forerunner, has for us entered, 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 (Heb 9:24); nay, he is himself the true tabernacle, filled with the glory of God (Joh 1:14), 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 dwells all the fulness of the godhead bodily. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!
本章记载：I. 关于支搭会幕并将一切器具安放在合宜之处的吩咐（出 40:1-8），将会幕分别为圣（出 40:9-11），并将祭司分别为圣（出 40:12-15）。II. 这一切都照着所吩咐的行了（出 40:16-33）。III. 神以云彩为记，亲自入住其中（出 40:34-38 等）。