Exodus 40:6
Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.
Place the altar of burnt offering

The bronze altar stood at the front of the courtyard as the primary place for Israel’s sacrifices. Its position showed that atonement for sin was necessary before worshipers could draw near to the dwelling place of God.

Exo 27:1-8 You are to build an altar of acacia wood.…
Exo 38:1-7 Bezalel constructed the altar of burnt offering…

in front of the entrance

Every priest and worshiper approaching the sanctuary passed the altar, where burnt offerings and other sacrifices were presented according to God’s commands.

Exo 29:4 Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance…
Lev 1:3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd,…

to the tabernacle,

The tabernacle was the sacred structure God directed Moses to build as the place of His presence among Israel during the wilderness journey.

Exo 26:33-37 And hang the veil from the clasps and place…
Exo 27:9-19 You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle.…

the Tent of Meeting.

Here God met with Moses and received the worship of His covenant people through the priesthood and sacrifices He had established.

Exo 29:42-44 For the generations to come, this burnt offering…
Lev 1:1 Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him…
Exo 33:7-11 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law. Moses is responsible for setting up the tabernacle according to God's instructions.

2. The Tabernacle
A portable earthly dwelling place for God among the Israelites, also known as the Tent of Meeting. It was a central place of worship and sacrifice during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.

3. The Altar of Burnt Offering
A key component of the tabernacle, where sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of the people and to maintain a right relationship with God.

4. The Entrance to the Tabernacle
The designated place where the altar was to be positioned, signifying the importance of sacrifice in approaching God.

5. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were journeying to the Promised Land under Moses' leadership.
Teaching Points
The Centrality of Sacrifice
The placement of the altar at the entrance of the tabernacle underscores the necessity of sacrifice in approaching God. In the New Testament, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, and through Him, we have access to God.

Obedience to God's Instructions
Moses' careful adherence to God's commands in setting up the tabernacle serves as a model for our obedience to God's Word in our lives.

The Role of Worship in Community
The tabernacle was a communal place of worship, reminding us of the importance of gathering together as believers to worship and seek God.

Symbolism of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle and its elements symbolize deeper spiritual truths, such as the holiness of God, the need for atonement, and the presence of God among His people.

Approaching God with Reverence
The sacrificial system highlights the seriousness of sin and the reverence required in approaching a holy God, encouraging us to examine our hearts and live in holiness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the placement of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle reflect the importance of sacrifice in our relationship with God?

2. In what ways does the tabernacle foreshadow the work of Christ as described in the New Testament?

3. How can we apply the principle of obedience demonstrated by Moses in setting up the tabernacle to our daily lives?

4. What are some practical ways we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices, as encouraged in Romans 12:1?

5. How does understanding the symbolism of the tabernacle enhance our appreciation of God's presence and holiness in our lives today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 1
This chapter provides detailed instructions on how burnt offerings were to be conducted, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice in worship and atonement.

Hebrews 9
This passage discusses the tabernacle and its elements as a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, highlighting the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the sacrificial system and emphasizing a life of worship and dedication to God.
The Erection of the TabernacleJ. Urquhart Exodus 40:1-33
The Tabernacle Set UpJ. Orr Exodus 40:1-33
Tabernacle ForeshadowingsW. M. Taylor, D. D.Exodus 40:1-38
The Primary and Universal Obligation to the Worship of JehovahJ. Allport.Exodus 40:1-38
The Setting Up of the Tabernacle on New Year's DayC. P. Eyre, M. A.Exodus 40:1-38
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Altar, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Congregation, Door, Doorway, Entrance, Front, Hast, Meeting, Offering, Offerings, Opening, Tabernacle, Tent
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 40:6-7

     7474   Tent of Meeting

Library
July 7. "And the Glory of the Lord Filled the Tabernacle" (Ex. Xl. 35).
"And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Ex. xl. 35). In the last chapter of Exodus we read all the Lord commanded Moses to do, and that as he fulfilled these commands the glory of the Lord descended and filled the tabernacle till there was no room for Moses, and from that time the pillar of cloud overshadowed them, their guide, their protection. And so we have been building as the Lord Himself commanded, and now the temple is to be handed over to Him to be possessed and filled. He will
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'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
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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