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英文原文
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)
豎立會幕（主前1491年）
¹ 耶和華曉諭摩西說：
² 「正月初一日，你要立起帳幕，
³ 把法櫃安在裏面，用幔子將櫃遮掩。
⁴ 把桌子搬進去，擺設上面的物；把燈臺搬進去，點其上的燈。
⁵ 在法櫃前幔子外，安放金香壇；又在會幕門口掛上簾子。
⁶ 把燔祭壇安在會幕門口。
⁷ 把洗濯盆安在會幕和壇的中間，在盆裏盛水。
⁸ 又在四圍立院子的帷子，把院子的門簾掛上。
⁹ 用膏油把帳幕和其中一切的器具抹成聖，分別為聖，使帳幕和其中一切都成聖；帳幕和其中一切也就成聖了。
¹⁰ 又要抹燔祭壇和一切器具，使壇成聖；壇就成為至聖。
¹¹ 要抹洗濯盆和盆座，使盆成聖。
¹² 要使亞倫和他兒子到會幕門口來，用水洗身。
¹³ 要給亞倫穿上聖衣，又膏他，使他分別為聖，好供祭司的職分；
¹⁴ 又要使他的兒子來，給他們穿上內袍，
¹⁵ 好像膏他們的父親一樣膏他們，好供祭司的職分。他們受膏的日子，世世代代永遠為祭司的職任。」
會幕的材料和器具已經逐一查看、獲得認可，如今要組裝起來。1. 神在此指示摩西把會幕及其器具各就各位。會幕的工雖然完工，一切都已預備好可以豎立，百姓無疑也很渴望看見它立起來，摩西卻不肯豎立它，直到他得到明確的命令。每一步都看見神在我們前頭行，是好的（詩三十七23）。做這事的時間定在正月初一日（出四十2），離他們出埃及剛好一年差十四天；這一年之內做了不少工。也許工程剛好到了年底才完工，所以指定這日子並沒有拖延這善工，或幾乎沒有。我們不可藉口等待某個特別的日子而拖延任何必要的本分；眼前的季節最為合宜。但會幕正好在正月初一日立起來，暗示以善工開始一年是好的。讓那為首的有首位；讓他國的事先被尋求。在希西家的時代，我們看見他們正月初一日開始潔淨聖殿（代下二十九17）。新月之日（按他們的演算法是每月的第一日）他們以一定的莊重來守；因此這一年的頭一個新月就這樣被標記出來。注意，新一年開始時，我們當想到要比前一年更多、更好地事奉神。摩西特別受命先立起會幕本身——神在其中居住並受事奉之處（出四十2），然後把約櫃安在其位，拉上幔子遮掩它（出四十3），再在幔子外安放桌子、燈臺和香壇（出四十4-5），又在門前掛上門簾。然後在院子裏安置燔祭壇和洗濯盆（出四十6-7）；最後豎起院子的帷子，並掛上院門的簾子。這一切在一天之內可輕易完成，無疑有許多人在摩西指導下動手。2. 他指示摩西在豎起會幕及其一切器具之後，要用預備好的膏油膏抹，將它們分別為聖（出三十25-29等）。那裏吩咐要做這事；這裏吩咐如今就要做（出四十9-11）。請留意：每樣東西放在適當的位置上時才被分別為聖，在那之前則不，因為在那之前它還不適合用以承擔所要分別為聖的用途。萬事合乎時節就為美，合乎位置也是如此。3. 他指示摩西分別亞倫和他的兒子為聖。當財物搬進神的殿時，先做記號，然後才僕人來管理耶和華的器皿；擔任這職分的人必須潔淨（出四十12-15）。如今吩咐執行的律法我們先前已有了（出二十九1-46）。照樣，在有形的教會——神在人間的會幕——中，也必須有傳道人看守聖所，他們也必須受膏。
¹⁶ 摩西這樣行，都是照耶和華所吩咐他的。
¹⁷ 第二年正月初一日，帳幕就立起來。
¹⁸ 摩西立起帳幕，安上帶卯的座，立上豎板，穿上橫木，立起柱子。
¹⁹ 在帳幕以上搭罩棚，把罩棚的頂蓋蓋在其上，是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。
²⁰ 又把見證放在櫃裏，把杠穿在櫃的兩旁，又把施恩座安在櫃上。
²¹ 把櫃抬進帳幕，掛上遮掩櫃的幔子，把法櫃遮掩了，是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。
²² 又把桌子安在會幕內，在帳幕北邊，在幔子外。
²³ 在耶和華面前將餅陳設在桌子上；是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。
²⁴ 又把燈臺安在會幕內，在帳幕南邊，與桌子相對。
²⁵ 在耶和華面前點燈，是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。
²⁶ 把金壇安在會幕內、幔子前，
²⁷ 在壇上燒馨香料做的香；是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。
²⁸ 又掛上帳幕的門簾。
²⁹ 把燔祭壇安在會幕門口，在壇上獻燔祭和素祭；是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。
³⁰ 把洗濯盆安在會幕和壇的中間，盆中盛水，以便洗濯。
³¹ 摩西和亞倫並亞倫的兒子，在這盆裏洗手洗腳。
³² 他們進會幕，或就近壇的時候，便都洗濯，是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。
³³ 在帳幕和壇的四圍立了院子的帷子，把院子的門簾掛上。這樣，摩西就完了工。
會幕和其中的器具預備好之後，他們並沒有等到進了迦南才豎立，雖然他們如今盼望不久就要到那裏；他們順服神的旨意，在曠野中、在營中間把它立起來。在世上居無定所的人，不可因此以為自己可以藉口不斷地不敬虔；好像等到在世上定居下來才開始事奉神就夠了。不；即使在曠野中，為神設立帳幕也是非常需要、非常有益的同伴，尤其考慮到我們的屍骨可能倒在那曠野裏，我們可能在我們定居於今世之前，就已定居於另一個世界。
豎立會幕是一日的好工；將會幕和祭司分別為聖則在幾天之後才進行。此處我們只看到這新年頭一日之工的記述。1. 摩西不僅照神所指示的一切去做，而且照神所定的次序去做；因為神要人按當有的次序尋求他。2. 每一細節都加上明確的屬天任命為參照，摩西如同工匠一樣謹慎而憑良心地受此約束；因此如同先前，此處重複了是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的——在不到十四節經文中出現了七次。摩西自己雖然偉大，也不擅自偏離制度，不增添也不減少一絲一毫。吩咐別人的人當記得他們的主也在天上，他們必須照所吩咐的去做。3. 該遮掩的他加以遮掩（出四十21），該使用的他立即使用，為要教導祭司——藉著看他做各樣的職事，他們可以學得更靈巧地去做。摩西雖然嚴格說來不是祭司，卻被列在祭司之中（詩九十九6），猶太作者稱他為祭司中的祭司；他所做的，是憑神特別的授權和指示，更多是作為先知或立法者，而不是作祭司。他把輪子推動起來，然後將工作交在受任命的事奉人員手中。（1）他安放好桌子之後，就將陳設餅按次序擺在上面（出四十23）；因為神決不讓他的桌子空無一物。（2）他一安好燈臺，就在耶和華面前點燈（出四十25）。連那幽暗的時代也不容許有未點的燈。（3）金香壇一安放就位，他立即在上面燒馨香的香（出四十27）；因為神的壇必須是冒煙的壇。（4）燔祭壇一在會幕院子裏立起來，他就有燔祭和素祭預備好在其上獻上（出四十29）。有人認為這事雖在此提及，卻是後來才做的；但在我看來，他似乎立即開始了分別為聖的儀式，雖然七天後才完成。（5）在洗濯盆那裏，他一安好，摩西自己也洗手洗腳。這樣，在這一切事例中，他不僅向祭司示範了如何盡本分，也教導我們：神的恩賜是為使用而賜的，不是僅僅為展示。祭壇、桌子和燈臺雖然新嶄嶄的，他沒有說弄髒了可惜；不，他立即開了首用。恩賜是為使用而賜的，不是為埋藏的。
英文原文
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)
會幕充滿榮耀（主前1491年）
³⁴ 當時，雲彩遮蓋會幕，耶和華的榮光就充滿了帳幕。
³⁵ 摩西不能進會幕；因為雲彩停在其上，並且耶和華的榮光充滿了帳幕。
³⁶ 每逢雲彩從帳幕收上去，以色列人就起程前往。
³⁷ 雲彩若不收上去，他們就不起程，直到收上去的日子。
*³⁸ 日間有耶和華的雲彩在帳幕以上，夜間雲中有火，在以色列全家的眼前，在他們所行的路上，都是這樣。
正如創造之時，神完成了為人居住而設計的這地，就造了人，把人安置在其中；照樣，當摩西完成了為神在人間居住而設計的會幕，神就來住在其中。舍吉拿——神永遠的道——雖然尚未成為肉身，卻作為那事的前奏，來住在他們中間（約一14）。從此這成了他寶座之地，他腳掌所踏之地（結四十三7）；他在此居住，在此治理。神藉著親自來住、接管會幕的可見記號，見證了他對他們恩寵的歸回——這恩寵是他們因金牛犢而失去的（出三十三7）——也見證了他對他們所付一切代價、所花一切心思和辛勞的恩悅納。這樣神承認了他們，表明對他們所做的十分喜悅，並豐富地獎賞他們。注意，神要與那些為他預備居所的人同住。那破碎痛悔的心、那潔淨聖潔的心——為他的事奉而陳設、為他的榮耀而獻上——必作他永遠安息之處；基督要在此憑信居住（弗三17）。哪裏神在靈裏有寶座和祭壇，那裏就是活的殿。神也必承認並加冠他自己恩典的作為、以及他自己安排的遵行。
正如神在西奈山上彰顯自己，他如今也在這新立的會幕中如此行。我們讀到（出二十四16），耶和華的榮光停在西奈山上——據說形如烈火（出四十17），而雲彩遮蓋其外，耶和華的榮光充滿其內。撒迦利亞書二章5節大概就是暗指此事，那裏神應許要作耶路撒冷四圍的火牆（雲柱在夜間就是火柱）並作其中的榮耀。
I. 雲彩遮蓋會幕。 那朵雲彩——作為舍吉拿的戰車或居所——從埃及出來一路引領他們來到此地，如今停駐在會幕上、停在其上方，即使在最炎熱、最晴朗的日子也是如此；因為它不是日頭可以驅散的那種雲。這雲被定意為：1. 一個日夜都可見的神同在記號（出四十38），對全以色列——甚至對那些住在營中最遠角落的人——都可見，使他們再不會追問：耶和華在我們中間嗎，還是不在？ 那朵在紅海和西奈山上已經滿了奇事、足以證明神確實在其中的雲彩，在他們一切行程中、在以色列全家眼前始終可見；因此他們若不信自己的眼睛，就再無可推諉了。2. 對會幕和其中神榮耀的遮蔽。神確實住在他們中間，卻住在雲中：你實在是自隱的神。 為基督的福音稱頌神——在其中我們眾人既然敞著臉，好像從鏡子裏觀看——不是在雲中——主的榮光。3. 對會幕的保護。他們一層層地為它遮蓋，但遮蓋它的那雲彩終究是它最好的護衛。住在耶和華殿中的人在那裏被隱藏，在神的保護下安然無恙（詩二十七4-5）。然而這在當時是會幕獨享的特恩，卻應許給錫安山的每一個住處（賽四5）；因為在一切榮耀之上必有遮蔽。4. 以色列營在曠野行程中的引導（出四十36-37）。雲彩停留在會幕上時，他們就安營；雲彩移動時，他們就拔營跟隨，因為他們完全在屬天的引導之下。這在民九19、詩七十八14、一百零五39有更充分的論述。正如會幕豎立之前，以色列人有雲彩為引導——它有時出現在這裏、有時出現在那裏——但從此停駐在會幕上、只能在那裏找到；照樣，教會從起初就有屬天啟示為引導，那時聖經尚未寫成，但自從正典完成以來，啟示就安息在其中、以之為會幕，而且只能在那裏找到——正如創造之時，第一日造的光，在第四日集中於太陽之中。為律法和見證稱頌神！
II. 耶和華的榮光充滿了帳幕（出四十34-35）。舍吉拿如今莊嚴威嚴地進入會幕，經過外層進入至聖所——如同覲見室——在那裏坐在基路伯之間。舍吉拿是以光和火——就我們所知不以外在形式——使自己顯為可見的；因為神就是光；我們的神是烈火。會幕如今充滿了這些，然而正如從前荊棘不被燒毀，如今帷子也不被這火烤焦分毫；因為對於那些已受膏的人，神可畏的威嚴不是毀滅性的。然而光如此耀眼、火如此可畏，以至於摩西不能進會幕——他原侍立在門口——直到光輝稍減，耶和華的榮光退到幔子之內（出四十35）。這顯出神的榮耀和威嚴何等可畏，又顯出最偉大、最美好的人在他面前站立不住。神聖的光和火若全力發出，必壓倒最剛強的頭腦和最純潔的心。但摩西因肉體軟弱不能做的事，已由我們的主耶穌成就了——神使他親近前來，他作為先鋒為我們進入，並邀請我們坦然無懼地來到施恩座前。他能進入那非人手所造的聖所（來九24）；不，他自己是真正的會幕，充滿了神的榮耀（約一14）——就是這火和光所預表的屬天恩典和真理。在他裏面，舍吉拿永遠安息，因為神本性一切的豐盛都有形有體地居住在他裏面。為耶穌基督稱頌神！
英文原文
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!
本章記述：一、下令豎立會幕，並將其一切器具安放在當放的位置上（出 40:1-8），又將會幕分別為聖（出 40:9-11），並將祭司分別為聖，出 40:12-15。二、留意照樣辦理這一切，正如所吩咐當行的，出 40:16-33。三、神藉著雲彩接管會幕，出 40:34-38 等。