Exodus 40:1-5: a reflection

1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 3You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps. 5You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

As God gives Moses instructions for setting up the tabernacle, each item is to be brought in and placed in its proper order, showing the care and order with which what pertains to God is to be handled. Raise up the tabernacle, God says, put the ark in it, screen it with the veil, bring in the table and set it in order, bring in the lampstand and light its lamps, set the altar of incense before the ark. Each item, the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altar, was to be brought in and placed in its proper order, according to God's careful instructions. What pertained to God's dwelling was not to be arranged haphazardly, but set up with care, in order, each thing in its place, as God directed. This shows the care and order with which what pertains to God is to be handled. Handle what pertains to God with care and order, each thing in its place. What concerns God deserves care, not haphazard or careless handling. Do things pertaining to God as he directs, in good order. There is a fitting order in what is set apart for God.

Notice the care and order in these instructions. God does not simply say, put the tabernacle together somehow; he gives careful, ordered instructions: raise up the tabernacle, place the ark, screen it with the veil, bring in the table and set its things in order, bring in the lampstand and light it, set the altar of incense in its place. Each item had its proper place and its proper order, and was to be set up accordingly, with care, as God directed. What pertained to God's dwelling and worship was not to be handled carelessly or arranged haphazardly, but done with care, in good order, each thing in its place. This suggests something about how we are to handle what pertains to God. What concerns God, his worship, his service, the things set apart for him, deserves care and order, not careless or haphazard handling. This is not a matter of mere fussiness, but of reverence: what is set apart for God is treated with the care and order befitting him, done thoughtfully and as he directs, rather than thrown together carelessly. There is a fitting order and care in what is set apart for God, reflecting reverence for him. We do well to handle what pertains to God, his worship and service, with care and order, doing it thoughtfully and as he directs, rather than carelessly. Handle what pertains to God with care and good order, not carelessly. What concerns God's worship and service deserves reverent care. Do the things set apart for God thoughtfully and as he directs. Careful order in holy things reflects reverence for God.

That is worth taking to heart, for what pertains to God is to be handled with care and order, and we do well to treat his worship and service reverently, as the tabernacle was set up with careful order. We can handle what concerns God carelessly or haphazardly; but God gave careful, ordered instructions for his dwelling, each thing in its place. Handle holy things with care. Do not treat what pertains to God, his worship and service, carelessly; handle it with care and good order, thoughtfully and as he directs, reflecting reverence for him. Handle what pertains to God, his worship and service, with care and good order, each thing in its place and as he directs, rather than carelessly or haphazardly, as when God gave Moses instructions for setting up the tabernacle each item was to be brought in and placed in its proper order, showing the care and order with which what pertains to God is to be handled, since God said to raise up the tabernacle, place the ark, screen it, bring in the table and set it in order, bring in the lampstand and light it, and set the altar of incense in its place; for each item had its proper place and order according to God's careful instructions, so that what pertained to God's dwelling was not to be arranged haphazardly but set up with care and in order as he directed, which suggests something about how we are to handle what pertains to God, that what concerns his worship, service, and the things set apart for him deserves care and order rather than careless or haphazard handling, not a matter of mere fussiness but of reverence, since what is set apart for God is treated with the care and order befitting him and done thoughtfully and as he directs rather than thrown together carelessly, there being a fitting order and care in what is set apart for God that reflects reverence for him, so that we do well to handle what pertains to God with care and order.

Lord, as you give Moses instructions for setting up the tabernacle, each item is to be brought in and placed in its proper order, showing the care and order with which what pertains to you is to be handled. Raise up the tabernacle, you say, put the ark in it, screen it with the veil, bring in the table and set it in order, bring in the lampstand and light its lamps, set the altar of incense before the ark. Each item, the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altar, was to be brought in and placed in its proper order, according to your careful instructions. What pertained to your dwelling was not to be arranged haphazardly, but set up with care, in order, each thing in its place, as you directed. Show me the care and order in these instructions. You do not simply say, put the tabernacle together somehow; you give careful, ordered instructions, each item having its proper place and order, to be set up accordingly, with care, as you directed. What pertained to your dwelling and worship was not to be handled carelessly or arranged haphazardly, but done with care, in good order. This suggests something about how I am to handle what pertains to you. What concerns you, your worship, your service, the things set apart for you, deserves care and order, not careless or haphazard handling. This is not a matter of mere fussiness, but of reverence: what is set apart for you is treated with the care and order befitting you, done thoughtfully and as you direct, rather than thrown together carelessly. There is a fitting order and care in what is set apart for you, reflecting reverence for you. Take that to my heart. Keep me from treating what pertains to you, your worship and service, carelessly or haphazardly; help me handle it with care and good order, Lord, thoughtfully and as you direct, reflecting reverence for you, that the things set apart for you may be done as befits you.