16 And Moses did this; as the Lord gave him orders, so he did. 17 So on the first day of the first month in the second year the House was put up. 18 Moses put up the House; placing its bases in position and lifting up its uprights, putting in the rods and planting the pillars in their places; 19 Stretching the outer tent over it, and covering it, as the Lord had given him orders. 20 And he took the law and put it inside the ark, and put the rods at its side and the cover over it; 21 And he took the ark into the House, hanging up the veil before it as the Lord had given him orders. 22 And he put the table in the Tent of meeting, on the north side outside the veil. 23 And he put the bread on it in order before the Lord, as the Lord had said. 24 The support for the lights he put in the Tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the south side: 25 Lighting the lights before the Lord, as the Lord had given him orders. 26 And he put the gold altar in the Tent of meeting, in front of the veil: 27 Burning sweet perfumes on it, as the Lord had given him orders. 28 And he put up the curtain at the doorway of the House. 29 And at the door of the House of the Tent of meeting, he put the altar of burned offerings, offering on it the burned offering and the meal offering, as the Lord had given him orders. 30 And between the altar and the Tent of meeting he put the vessel with water in it for washing. 31 In it the hands and feet of Moses and Aaron and his sons were washed, 32 Whenever they went into the Tent of meeting, and when they came near the altar, as the Lord had given orders to Moses. 33 And he put up the hangings forming the open space round the House and the altar, and put the curtain over the doorway. So Moses made the work complete.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 40:16-33

Commentary on Exodus 40:16-33

(Read Exodus 40:16-33)

When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off rearing it till they came to Canaan; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp. Those who are unsettled in the world, must not think that this will excuse want of religion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is very needful, even in a wilderness, especially as we may be in another world before we come to fix in this. And we may justly fear lest we should deceive ourselves with a form of godliness. The thought that so few entered Canaan, should warn young persons especially, not to put off the care of their souls.