Originally posted: 03/29/2019
Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was completed; and the sons of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did, (39:32).
Exodus 38 counted and numbered every item used for the construction of the tabernacle, and it appeared as though the work was complete. But not until after each article of the priestly garments was finished, is the pronouncement made. The work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was not considered complete without the priestly garments.
Consider His Completion
The word translated in Exodus 39:32 “was completed” is the same Hebrew word used in Genesis to describe God’s completed work in creation.
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done, (Genesis 2:1-2).
The tabernacle was to be God’s dwelling place among His people. “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it,” (Exodus 25:8-9).
God would provide His exact pattern, and the skill and the directions needed, to construct His dwelling place; but without the mediation of the priest arrayed in priestly garments, the tabernacle would not be a suitable place for God’s presence among His people. Before Holy God would make His dwelling among an unclean people, there must be atonement for sin offered by the mediator, clothed in His righteous array as Holy to the LORD, “just as the LORD commanded,” (39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 32, 42, 43).
How do we respond to His Completion?
- We must agree with what the Lord says about man’s condition and acknowledge we can never earn our way into His presence.
- For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment, (Isaiah 64:6).
- For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
- We must admit our sinful condition and our need for a Mediator.
- For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5).
- Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession, (Hebrews 4:14).
- We must accept His completed work on the cross as the only atonement for our sin.
- Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit, (John 19:30).
- And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, (Hebrews 9:22).
- By faith, let us lay aside the old as we array ourselves with our priestly garments, the very righteousness of Christ
- For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ, (Galatians 3:26-27).
- …that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth, (Ephesians 4:22-24).
- But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9).
As we, by faith, receive the garments of our salvation and are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, God is the One Who will work in us to do His work… and that brings Him pleasure!
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure, (Philippians 2:13).
As we place our faith in His Completion that gives us the desire to do His work, according to all that He commands, He does even more… He blesses us!
So the sons of Israel did all the work according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses. 43 And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them, (39:42-43).
“…blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it,” (Luke 11:28).
Oh, let us trust what Christ, and Christ alone, has accomplished for us; and surely we will rejoice in His Salvation, knowing He has made us ready and fit for His Presence by His Completion.
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels, (Isaiah 61:10).