Exod. xl. 33, 34. So Moses finished the toork. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
AN union of many hands and much zeal must of necessity expedite any work that is undertaken. So it proved in the constructing of the tabernacle ; the
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whole of which, notwithstanding the exquisite skill and workmanship with which every part of it Mas formed, was in about the space of seven months completely finished, so as to be capable of being all erected, and brought into use in one single day. Such activity could not but be highly pleasing to God, in whose service it was employed. Accordingly we find that he immediately testified his approbation of it by a most astonishing act of condescension and grace.
That we may see the subject in its true light, let us inquire into,
I. The work here referred to —
This was the constructing of the tabernacle ; a work of singular excellency and importance, whether it be considered in itself, or in its typical design. Let us view it,
1. In itself—
[It will be proper to notice briefly its form. There was a court about sixty yards long, and thirty broad, enclosed by linen curtains, suspended about nine feet high on brasen pillars. Witbin that, at the west end of it, was a structure, about eighteen yards long, and six broad, made with boards of Sbittim wood, covered with gold, and fastened together by bars of the same materials. The boards were forty-eight in number, fixed in ninety-six sockets of silver, each of them about an hundred pounds weight. The whole was covered first with curtains of fine embroidered linen, and then with three other coverings, one of goats' hair, another of rams' skins dyed red, and another of badgers' skins. This structure was divided into two apartments, called the holy place, and the holy of holies ; the former being about twelve yards by six ; and the latter six yards square, and as many high. The en- trance to each of these was from the east, (as was that of the outward court also,) each leading to the other through a veil of embroidered linen.
The furniture of the whole was quite appropriate. In the outer court, (to which all clean Hebrews and proselytes had access,) was the brasen altar, on which the sacrifices were offered, and the brasen laver, in which the priests and Levites were to purify themselves. In the holy place (into which the priests were admitted) was the candlestick, the table of shewbread, and the altar of incense. In the holy of holies (where the high-priest alone entered, and that only on one day
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