Bible Commentaries
Exodus 39

Verses 1-31

Introduction

This chapter contains the expression “as the LORD commanded Moses” ten times. It emphasizes the importance of the priestly garments: exercising the priestly service of the Lord Jesus and the believers. It also leaves nothing to the imagination of man.

The Priests’ Garments Made

If we read this, we are impressed by how all the actions that are carried out to make this garment are described in great detail. It shows that God follows our achievements with interest. He is not only interested in the final result, but also in how the final result is achieved. He wants us to be engaged in the way He has indicated in His Word.

In Exodus 39:3 we read a detail that is not in Exodus 28: a golden thread that is woven through the ephod. This is a picture of divine glory (gold) shining through all the traits of the holy humanity of the Lord Jesus. All truths concerning His person are interrelated. Nothing can be separated, although there may be distinction.

For example, we see that He sleeps as Man on a boat because He is tired, while standing up a little later, and rebuking the wind and the sea as God: “On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”” (Mark 4:35-:).

See also Exodus 28:1-43.

Verses 32-43

Moses Approves the Work

In Exodus 39:43 we read the final conclusion: “And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the LORD had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them” (cf. Genesis 2:1-Leviticus :). Moses observes that everything was made according to the example shown to him on the mountain (Hebrews 8:5). The tabernacle has not yet been set up, but everything is ready. Thus the Lord Jesus looks at all our work in connection with the church, even if it is still hidden from the world, and blesses us to the degree of all our obedience.