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must have been donewithin six months. And now that "the Tabernacle was reared up,
Moses first placed within the MostHoly Place the Ark holding "the testimony," and
covered it with the mercy-seat; next, he ranged inthe Holy Place, to the north, the table
of shewbread, setting "the bread in order upon it before theLord;" then, to the south,
"the candlestick," lighting its lamps before the Lord; and finally "the goldenaltar"
"before the veil" of the Most Holy Place, "and he burnt sweet incense thereon." All
this beingdone, and the curtain at the entrance to the Tabernacle hung up, (Exodus
40:28) the altar ofburnt-offering was placed "by the door of the Tabernacle," and "the
laver" between it and that altar,although probably not in a straight line, but somewhat
to the side of the altar of burnt-offering. Andon the altar smoked the burnt and the
meat-offering, and the laver was filled with water, in whichMoses, and Aaron, and his
sons washed their hands and their feet.
All was now quite in readiness means, ordinances, and appointed channels of blessing,
and all was inwaiting. One thing only was needed; but upon that the meaning and the
efficacy of everything elsedepended. But God was faithful to His promise. As in
believing expectancy Israel looked up, "thecloud covered the tent of the congregation,
and the glory of Jehovah filled the Tabernacle." Outside,visible to all, rested "upon the
tent" that Cloud and Pillar, in which Jehovah had hitherto guided them,and would
continue so to do. For, as the cloud by day and the appearance of fire by night
tarriedover the Tabernacle, the children of Israel "abode in their tents," "and journeyed
not." But "when itwas taken up," then Israel's camp was speedily broken up, and,
journeying, they followed theirDivine Leader (comp. Numbers 9:15-23). A constant,
visible, and guiding Presence of Jehovah thisamong His professing people, resting
above the outer tent that covered the Tabernacle. But withinthat Tabernacle itself there
was yet another and unapproachable Presence. For "the glory of Jehovahfilled the
Tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation,
because thecloud abode thereon, and the glory of Jehovah filled the Tabernacle."
(Exodus 40:34, 35) Presentlyit withdrew within the Most Holy Place, into which none
could enter but the high-priest once a year,and that on the day and for the purpose of
atonement, and where it rested between the cherubim ofglory, above the mercy-seat,
that covered the ark with the testimony. For "the way into the holiest ofall was not yet
made manifest." "But Christ being come an high-priest of good things to come, by
agreater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this
building; neitherby the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in
once into the holy place,having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:8, 11,
12)
(^)