16 And Moses doth according to all that Jehovah hath commanded him; so he hath done. 17 And it cometh to pass, in the first month, in the second year, in the first of the month, the tabernacle hath been raised up; 18 and Moses raiseth up the tabernacle, and setteth its sockets, and placeth its boards, and placeth its bars, and raiseth its pillars, 19 and spreadeth the tent over the tabernacle, and putteth the covering of the tent upon it above, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses. 20 And he taketh and putteth the testimony unto the ark, and setteth the staves on the ark, and putteth the mercy-seat on the ark above; 21 and bringeth in the ark unto the tabernacle, and placeth the vail of the covering, and covereth over the ark of the testimony, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses. 22 And he putteth the table in the tent of meeting, on the side of the tabernacle northward, at the outside of the vail, 23 and setteth in order upon it the arrangement of bread, before Jehovah, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses. 24 And he putteth the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over-against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward, 25 and causeth the lamps to go up before Jehovah, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses. 26 And he setteth the golden altar in the tent of meeting, before the vail, 27 and maketh perfume on it—spice-perfume—as Jehovah hath commanded Moses. 28 And he setteth the covering of the opening to the tabernacle, 29 and the altar of the burnt-offering he hath set at the opening of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and causeth the burnt-offering to go up upon it, and the present, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses. 30 And he putteth the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and putteth water there for washing, 31 and Moses and Aaron and his sons have washed their hands and their feet at the same; 32 in their going in unto the tent of meeting, and in their drawing near unto the altar, they wash, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses. 33 And he raiseth up the court round about the tabernacle, and about the altar, and placeth the covering of the gate of the court; and Moses completeth 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.