Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Exodus Chapter 40
Metaphysically Interpreting Exodus 40:1-33
40:1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 40:2On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 40:3And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil. 40:4And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 40:5And thou shalt set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle. 40:6And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 40:7And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water therein. 40:8And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court. 40:9And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the furniture thereof: and it shall be holy. 40:10And thou shalt anoint the altar of burnt-offering, and all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar shall be most holy. 40:11And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it. 40:12And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water. 40:13And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments; and thou shalt anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. 40:14And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them; 40:15and thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
40:16Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he. 40:17And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. 40:18And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up its pillars. 40:19And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as Jehovah commanded Moses. 40:20And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark: 40:21and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah commanded Moses. 40:22And he put the table in the tent of meeting, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.40:23And he set the bread in order upon it before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses. 40:24And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. 40:25And he lighted the lamps before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses. 40:26And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil: 40:27and he burnt thereon incense of sweet spices; as Jehovah commanded Moses. 40:28And he put the screen of the door to the tabernacle. 40:29And he set the altar of burnt-offering at the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the meal-offering; as Jehovah commanded Moses. 40:30And he set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water therein, wherewith to wash.40:31And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat; 40:32when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as Jehovah commanded Moses. 40:33And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.
August 3, 1902: Exodus 40:1-13
The setting up of the tabernacle means the establishing of a new state of consciousness. Man builds his own mind, his character and his body; God furnishes the design. The tabernacle was built after the “pattern shown in the mount” to Moses. The first step toward the building is the giving of gifts (Exod. 25:1-9.) A great variety was called for, and those too poor to give jewels, gold, silver or bronze, could give species, oil, skins, or linen, or help cut the boards. The gifts must be willing ones from the heart (Exod. 25:2). We are here shown that we must give up the material ideas of value before we can build the spiritual. But these material ideas have back of them the substance which is converted into the new. Nothing is lost in the Divine economy. Every experience leaves its form in the soul, which in the Divine alchemy, may be converted into gold for the tabernacle.
“The first day of the first month” means that you shall begin right where you are. “The tabernacle of the tent of meeting” means that a definite point shall be established in consciousness where we tabernacle or dwell in the Universal Substance of Being, which moves as a tent wherever we go.
“The ark of the testimony” is the remembrance of God's promises, which are sacred and peculiar to each soul. No human hand is allowed to touch this ark of the covenant. In it we have stored that “indefinable spark” which links us to God, and no human thought should enter its sacred precincts, which should be kept veiled from all eyes.
“The table set in order” represents a definite arrangement of thought in communing with the Spirit. This table had upon it two gold dishes, upon each of which were piled six loaves of bread, which means that we should realize that the substance of Spirit perpetually supplies the twelve faculties of mind. The candlestick and its seven lights are symbolical of the Divine Intelligence which lights the seeming darkness within.
The golden altar of burnt offerings set before the door of the tabernacle is symbolical of that spiritual discernment which “tries as by fire” every thought before it is allowed to enter the tabernacle. The laver with water therein is the word of denial ever at hand ready to cleanse every impure thought that comes into consciousness. The court round about is the outer realm of thoughts which have not yet been spiritualized. “The anointing oil,” is the thought of love, which is poured over all, making it holy or a perfect whole. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”
The bringing of Aaron and his sons to the door and washing them with water means that we shall declare Spiritual Strength as the presiding, directive power of this new state of consciousness, not a mere animal strength, but a strength washed clean and purified from all the grossness of sense. This declaration of Strength is absolutely necessary to the permanence of our tabernacle. Through it there is an abiding thought action set up that continues while our attention is elsewhere. Aaron continues to “minister in the priest's office.”
Sunday, March 17, 1918: Exodus 40:1-13
What does the tabernacle, referred to in this lesson, represent? The tabernacle represents the temporal body of man, or the outer, fleshly structure of man's body.
What in consciousness does the “ark of the testimony” symbolize? The “ark of the testimony” symbolizes the innate potentialities of the Spirit in man. These are kept veiled until man comes into the consciousness of his Divine self.
Explain the meaning of the “table” and the “candlestick” in their relation to consciousness. The “table” symbolizes the definite arrangement of thought in communing with Spirit. The “candlestick” is symbolical of the Divine intelligence inherent in man.
What in consciousness does the “altar for incense” represent? The “altar for incense” represents the establishment of resolutions of purity, covenants of obedience and conformity to the Higher Law.
What in consciousness does the “laver with water therein” represent? The “laver with water therein” represents the word of denial ever at hand, ready to cleanse the consciousness of impure thought.
What is symbolized by the “anointing oil”? The “anointing oil” is Love liberated in the consciousness, which harmonizes the energies of the purified organism.
What in consciousness does “Aaron and his sons” typify? “Aaron and his sons” typify Spiritual Strength, which become the presiding, directive power of a new state of consciousness. Through strength an abiding thought action is set up which contributes to the building of the holy temple (redeemed body).
Metaphysically Interpreting Exodus 40:34-38
40:34Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle. 40:35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle. 40:36And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys: 40:37but if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 40:38For the cloud of Jehovah was upon the tabernacle by day, and there was fire therein by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
August 4, 1907: Exodus 40:1-13,34-38
The Tabernacle represents the temporal body of man. “The putting off my tabernacle cometh swiftly,” – II Peter 1:14. It represents the temporary body as the temple does the regenerated, permanent body. In the wilderness of sense man worships God in a tent, or temporary, transitory state of mind, which makes a perishable body. Yet in this flimsy structure are all the furnishings of the great temple that followed. The outer structure was cloth, but the altar, laver, candlestick, ark of the covenant, and all the inner utensils were of gold and silver and precious woods. This means that the central functions of the body are enduring, and that it is the fleshly covering that is so perishable. When the Lord commanded the building of this temporary structure, there was a promise of a permanent one. So the body of every man is the promise of an imperishable one, even the body of Christ.
But this temple, which Jesus could lay down or take up at will, was to be the inheritance of those who were faithful. Faith must also become substance. Before we can enter into the consciousness of an eternal body we must vitalize with our concentrated thought every part of the temporal body in its inner processes. The table that was to be set up represents the orderly appropriation of the daily needs, and the bringing in the candlestick and lighting the lamps thereof, is the establishing in the inner consciousness of the Divine Intelligence.
The golden altar for incense, the altar of the burnt offering, etc., are the establishing of permanent resolutions of purity, and covenants with the Higher Law of obedience and conformity thereto, though it cause daily sacrifices. The laver is the water cleansing of sin, which is mental denial. The anointing oil is Divine Love, which makes all holy. “Love is the fulfilling of the Law.” Aaron, the High Priest, is the I am, who is sanctified and invested with the holy garments, after denying away all impurity. The cloud of the Lord that hung over the tabernacle is the guiding consciousness that becomes a daily inspiration to those who have made the covenant or agreement to do the will of God. A new state of mind is developed that constantly goes before and makes easy the way.
August 22, 1937: Exodus 40:34-38
In what sense does the cloud over the tabernacle show the guidance of Jehovah? When a nation is without light on a question affecting the entire body politic and hesitates to act lest it blunder in judgment, the cloud is upon the tabernacle. In such a case divine wisdom cautions the national leaders to stand still until light dawns. The light of a nation is understanding on the part of its citizens and an intelligent grasp by them of all questions of national concern.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 02-03-2014
