16 And Moses did so: as Jehovah had commanded him, so did he. 17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first of the month, that the tabernacle was set up. 18 And Moses set up the tabernacle, and put in its bases, and fixed its boards, and put in its bars, and set up its pillars. 19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above over it; as Jehovah had commanded Moses. 20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and put the staves in the ark, and put the mercy-seat above on the ark. 21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and hung up the veil of separation, and covered the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah had commanded Moses. 22 And he put the table in the tent of meeting, on the side of the tabernacle northward, outside the veil, 23 and arranged the bread in order upon it before Jehovah; as Jehovah had commanded Moses. 24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, opposite to the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. 25 And he lighted the lamps before Jehovah; as Jehovah had commanded Moses. 26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil. 27 And he burnt on it fragrant incense; as Jehovah had commanded Moses. 28 And he hung up the curtain of the entrance to the tabernacle. 29 And he put the altar of burnt-offering at the entrance to the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt-offering and the oblation; as Jehovah had commanded Moses. 30 And he set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing. 31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet out of it: 32 when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they drew near to the altar, they washed; as Jehovah had commanded Moses. 33 And he set up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the curtain of the gate of the court. And so Moses finished the work.

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.