2 "On the first day of the first month, set up The Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting. 3 Place the Chest of The Testimony in it and screen the Chest with the curtain. 4 "Bring in the Table and set it, arranging its Lampstand and lamps. 5 "Place the Gold Altar of Incense before the Chest of The Testimony and hang the curtain at the door of The Dwelling. 6 "Place the Altar of Whole-Burnt-Offering at the door of The Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting. 7 "Place the Washbasin between the Tent of Meeting and the Altar and fill it with water. 8 "Set up the Courtyard on all sides and hang the curtain at the entrance to the Courtyard. 9 "Then take the anointing oil and anoint The Dwelling and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings so that it becomes holy. 10 Anoint the Altar of Whole-Burnt-Offering and all its utensils, consecrating the Altar so that it is completely holy. 11 Anoint the Washbasin and its base: consecrate it. 12 "Finally, bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. 13 Dress Aaron in the sacred vestments. Anoint him. Consecrate him to serve me as priest.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 40:2-13
Commentary on Exodus 40:1-15
(Read Exodus 40:1-15)
When a new year begins, we should seek to serve God better than the year before. In half a year the tabernacle was completed. When the hearts of numbers are earnest in a good cause, much may be done in a short time; and when the commandments of God are continually attended to, as the rule of working, all will be done well. The high-priesthood was in the family of Aaron till Christ came, and in Him, the substance of all these shadows, it continues for ever.