Exodus 40:3
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
Exodus 40:3 (KJV)
Context
Exodus 40 records the completion and consecration of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary the Israelites built in the wilderness under God’s instructions. The Tabernacle served as a place of worship and symbolized God’s dwelling among His people. In the preceding chapters, God gave Moses detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, including its furnishings and the order of their placement.
Meaning
The verse commands Moses to place the ark of the testimony inside the Tabernacle and to cover it with the veil. The ark of the testimony, also called the Ark of the Covenant, was a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It was the most important piece of furniture in the Tabernacle, representing God’s presence among His people. Inside the ark were the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, which bore witness to the covenant between God and Israel. The veil, or vail in the King James Version, was a large curtain of fine linen, coloured blue, purple, and scarlet, embroidered with cherubim. It divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the ark was kept. The instruction to cover the ark with the veil emphasized that access to God’s presence was restricted; only the high priest, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, could enter beyond the veil to make atonement for the people.
The command was fulfilled precisely. Exodus 40:20-21 records that Moses placed the testimony in the ark, set the mercy seat above it, and then brought the ark into the Tabernacle and set up the veil, covering the ark as the LORD commanded. This careful obedience highlights the importance of following God’s instructions exactly.
Biblical connections
The Holiness of God: The ark represented God’s presence, and the veil symbolized the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. God’s holiness means His absolute purity and moral perfection. The ark’s placement behind the veil underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement to approach a holy God.
The Mediator: The veil as a barrier points to the need for a mediator. In the Old Testament, the high priest acted as mediator, entering the Most Holy Place to make atonement. This foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate Mediator, who through His sacrificial death tore down the barrier of sin and grants believers direct access to God (Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 Timothy 2:5).
The Covenant Relationship: The ark contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing the covenant between God and Israel. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the importance of obeying His commandments. As Christians, we are in a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and we should honour and obey God’s Word.
God’s Dwelling Among His People: The Tabernacle, with the ark as its focal point, showed God’s desire to dwell among His people. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). God desires to live within us and have an intimate relationship with each believer through His Spirit.
Application
Exodus 40:3 reminds us of the holiness of God and our need for a Mediator to approach Him. Through Jesus Christ, we now have direct access to God and can enjoy an intimate relationship with Him. As we read the Bible and meditate on God’s Word, we must seek to obey and honour Him, just as the ark contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments.
Understanding that we are now the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, we should strive to live in a way that reflects God’s presence in our lives. We can pray and seek His guidance, remembering that we are temples of the Holy Spirit and should treat our bodies with reverence and holiness (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Reflection
The veil that once concealed the ark now serves as a reminder of the access we have through Christ. The same God who dwelt among Israel in the Tabernacle now dwells within every believer. Let this truth inspire reverence, gratitude, and a life that honours His presence.
