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Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 357

"Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you." Deuteronomy 28:10

Text: Exodus 40 : 1-3

A WONDERFUL NEW BEGINNING

God gave clear instructions as to when and how the Tabernacle was to be set up. The significance of setting up the Tabernacle on the first day of the first month must not be missed! This was God’s way of telling Israel that a new dawn had arisen.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
‘On the first day of the first month you shall set up
the Tabernacle of the tent of meeting.'”
EXODUS 40:1-2

When Israel came out of Egypt, that month was to be remembered as the first month of the year (Cf. Exodus 12:18). It was a great way of remembering that the nation had a new beginning! They were freed from slavery! They would soon become a special nation, beloved of the Lord!

But along the way, Israel had transgressed terribly. Were it not for the graciousness of God, and the intercession of a faithful servant of God, Israel’s fate would have been sealed. Now God had given a word for the Tabernacle to be erected- on the first day of the first month. What a grand way to begin the new year! The nation was given a brand new beginning! The significance of God’s earlier word must be borne in mind.

“And let them make Me a sanctuary,
that I may dwell among them.”
EXODUS 25:8

Imagine the excitement of erecting the Sanctuary, as the dwelling place of God amongst His people!

THE HEART OF TABERNACLE WORSHIP

This occasion gave God yet another opportunity to emphasize to Israel the heart of worship at the Tabernacle.

“You shall put in it the ark of the Testimony,
and partition off the ark with the veil.”
EXODUS 40:3

1. The ark of the Testimony

The symbolic significance of the ark cannot be emphasized enough.

a) It symbolized God’s mercy.
b) The “Testimony” was well represented by the Ten Commandments.

2. Partitioned off to form “The Holy of holies”

The sanctum sanctorum represented the very holy Presence of the Lord Himself! No one was allowed to trespass into the Holy of Holies on pain of death! This portion was mentioned first for good reason. This was the most sacred part of the Tabernacle!