And thou shalt set the Altar of gold for the incense before the Arke of the Testimonie, and put the hanging of the doore to the Tabernacle. Exodus 40:5 (KJV)
This command is part of the final set of instructions that God gave Moses concerning the construction and arrangement of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that would serve as the centre of Israelite worship during their wilderness journey. The Tabernacle was the focal point of Israel’s relationship with God, embodying His presence among His people.
The altar of gold for incense was to be set up 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 formed an essential part of the daily priestly duties (Exodus 30:7‑8). The fragrant smoke symbolised the prayers and worship of the people rising to God (Psalm 141:2) and expressed the communion between God and His people.
The Ark of the Testimony, also called the Ark of the Covenant, was a sacred chest of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Inside were the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was the visible sign of God’s covenant and presence, representing God’s throne on earth and serving as the heart of Israelite worship.
The “hanging of the door” refers to the curtain or veil that formed the entrance to the Tabernacle proper. This veil, made of fine linen interwoven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and skillfully woven with cherubim (Exodus 26:31‑33), separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. It symbolised the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity; only the high priest could pass through it once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the people (Hebrews 9:7).
Together these elements point to deeper spiritual truths that foreshadow 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 fulfills the Law (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1). The veil represented the separation caused by sin; when Jesus died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), removing the barrier and granting all believers free access to God (Hebrews 10:19‑22).
Thus Exodus 40:5 reminds us of the importance of prayer, the believer’s direct access to God through Christ, and the reconciliation made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice. The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle underscore how the physical worship space prefigured the spiritual reality of Christ’s work, deepening our understanding of God’s redemptive plan.
