“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.”
This verse is part of the final instructions given by God to Moses for the construction and arrangement of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that would serve as a place of worship for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The Tabernacle was a central aspect of Israelite worship and played a significant role in their relationship with God.
The Altar of Gold for Incense:In this verse, God instructs Moses to set up the golden altar for burning incense. This altar was placed in the Holy Place, just before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Burning incense on this altar was an important part of the daily priestly duties (Exodus 30:7-8). Incense represents prayers and worship ascending to God (Psalm 141:2) and is symbolic of the people’s communion with God.
The Ark of the Testimony:The Ark of the Testimony, also known as the Ark of the Covenant, was a sacred chest made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Inside it were the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was a visible sign of God’s presence and His covenant with the Israelites. It represented God’s throne on earth and was central to the worship of the Israelites.
The Hanging of the Door to the Tabernacle:The “hanging of the door” refers to the curtain or veil that separated the Holy Place from the outer court where the people would gather. The veil was made of fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, skillfully woven with cherubim (Exodus 26:31-33). This veil was significant because it symbolized the barrier between God’s presence and sinful humanity. Only the high priest, once a year on the Day of Atonement, could pass through this veil and enter the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:7).
Spiritual Significance:The entire Tabernacle, including the altar of incense, the Ark of the Covenant, and the veil, points to spiritual truths and foreshadows Christ and His work of redemption:
- Access to God:The altar of incense and the prayers offered on it symbolize our access to God through prayer. Through Jesus Christ, we have direct access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16), and our prayers rise like incense before Him (Revelation 5:8).
- The Ark of the Covenant:The Ark represented God’s presence among His people. In the New Testament, Jesus is the embodiment of God’s presence (Matthew 1:23) and is referred to as the “Word” (John 1:1) because He is the fulfillment of the Law represented by the tablets in the Ark.
- The Veil:The veil symbolizes the separation between God and sinful humanity due to sin. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that through Christ’s sacrifice, the barrier between God and humanity was removed. Now, we can approach God freely through faith in Jesus (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Overall, Exodus 40:5 reminds us of the importance of prayer, our access to God through Christ, and the reconciliation made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It points to the central role of Jesus in bridging the gap between God and humanity, leading us into a deeper understanding of the significance of the Tabernacle in God’s redemptive plan.
