Moses Inspects and Blesses the Completed Work
Israel completes the tabernacle exactly as the Lord commanded, and Moses inspects the work and blesses them.
Exodus 39:32-43 (BSB)
32 So all the work for the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
33 Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent with all its furnishings, its clasps, its frames, its crossbars, and its posts and bases;
34 the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of fine leather, and the veil of the covering;
35 the ark of the Testimony with its poles and the mercy seat;
36 the table with all its utensils and the Bread of the Presence;
37 the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its utensils, as well as the oil for the light;
38 the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;
39 the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils; the basin with its stand;
40 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases; the curtain for the gate of the courtyard, its ropes and tent pegs, and all the equipment for the service of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting;
41 and the woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests.
42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
43 And Moses inspected all the work and saw that they had accomplished it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
What is the big idea of Exodus 39:32-43?
Israel completes the tabernacle exactly as the LORD commanded, and Moses inspects the work and blesses them.
How does Exodus 39:32-43 point to Christ?
Exodus 39:32-43 shows completed obedience in the making of the tabernacle, but this obedience still belongs to a provisional sanctuary that cannot finally perfect sinners. The gospel reveals Christ as the perfectly obedient Son and true dwelling of God, through whom blessing comes not by our flawless construction but by his finished work, death, resurrection, and priestly mediation.
How does Exodus 39:32-43 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
This passage should first be read within the Sinai tabernacle context. Its later canonical trajectory points toward the greater reality that access to God requires divinely appointed mediation, atonement, holiness, and obedient fulfillment. The text does not directly identify Christ, but it establishes the categories of dwelling, priestly service, sacrifice, cleansing, and covenant obedience that later Scripture brings to fullness in him.
Authorial Intent
To narrate the completion of all the tabernacle work, the presentation of the completed sanctuary components and priestly garments to Moses, Moses’ inspection of the work, his recognition that Israel had done everything just as the LORD commanded, and his blessing of the people.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is the repeated phrase 'as the LORD commanded Moses' so important in this passage?
- How does this completion report contrast with the making of the golden calf?
- Why is the completed work brought to Moses for inspection?
- What does Moses’ blessing teach about obedience and approval?
- How does Genesis creation language help us hear the themes of completion, inspection, and blessing?
- How does Christ’s finished work fulfill what tabernacle obedience could only foreshadow?
- Where might we confuse impressive completion with true obedience?
Literary Context
Exodus 39:32-43 concludes the long construction report before the tabernacle is erected in Exodus 40. Earlier chapters gave the divine instructions; the craftsmen and the people have now completed the work. This unit gathers all the components in summary form, presents them to Moses, and closes with the repeated obedience formula. It functions as a literary checkpoint between construction and consecrated setup: the dwelling is ready, but it must still be erected according to the LORD's command.
Historical Context
After the golden calf, covenant renewal, willing offerings, Spirit-enabled craftsmanship, tabernacle construction, material inventory, and priestly garments, all the work is completed and brought to Moses for inspection.
Chapter: Exodus 39
The Priestly Garments Completed and the Tabernacle Work Inspected
The priestly garments and tabernacle work are completed exactly as the LORD commanded, showing that God’s holy presence requires ordained mediation, covenant representation, consecrated service, and obedient craftsmanship.