Exodus 40:5

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.

Exodus 40:5 (KJV)

Context

This command belongs to the final set of instructions God gave Moses for arranging the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that was the centre of Israelite worship during the wilderness journey. The Tabernacle embodied God’s presence among His people, and every detail of its setup was given so that worship would follow His order.

Meaning

The altar of gold for incense stood in the Holy Place, directly opposite the Ark of the Covenant, with the veil between them. This altar, made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 37:25-26), was used for burning fragrant incense every morning and evening as part of the daily priestly duties (Exodus 30:7-8). The rising smoke symbolised the prayers of the people ascending to God (Psalm 141:2), showing that worship includes both offering prayer and honouring God’s presence.

The Ark of the Testimony, also called the Ark of the Covenant, was a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod (Hebrews 9:4). It was the visible sign of God’s covenant and His throne on earth. The “hanging of the door” refers to the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle, made of fine linen with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and cherubim woven into it (Exodus 26:31-33). This veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark rested. Only the high priest could pass beyond it once a year on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:7).

Biblical connections

These elements point to Christ. The altar of incense illustrates believers’ access to God through prayer, and through Jesus we have direct approach to the Father (Hebrews 4:16; Revelation 5:8). The Ark signified God’s presence, which in the New Testament is embodied in Jesus, the Word who fulfils the Law (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1). The veil represented the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity; when Jesus died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), removing that barrier and granting all believers free access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Application

Exodus 40:5 reminds us that worship is both ordered and relational. God gave precise instructions, and Moses obeyed them fully. In the same way, our approach to God should honour His holiness while resting on the access Christ has secured. The golden altar before the Ark teaches that prayer is intimately connected to God’s presence and covenant. The hanging at the door shows both separation and a way of entrance: sin separates us from God, but through Christ the way is open.

Reflection

The detailed arrangement of the Tabernacle was not mere ritual. It was a pattern of redemption, showing how a holy God dwells among His people and how they may draw near to Him. As we pray, we stand before the same God who met Israel at the Ark, and we come through the greater High Priest, Jesus Christ, who has opened the way once for all.