40:17 informs us when the tabernacle was 'reared up' giving us an indication as to the length of time it was in preparation. Throughout Scripture there are dates given. We should note them as they provide a very useful frame onto which to fit the events being recorded.

39:33 In bringing the completed tabernacle to Moses we have a patter of the ecclesia being presented to Christ (Ephesians 6:24)

40 - In all the detail of the erection of the tabernacle there is only one part whose use is actually described. (:31-32) describes the way in which the laver was used. It is a description of how things were done as an ongoing manner. Not just when the tabernacle was reared up.

39:42 It is interesting that we learn that it was ‘the children of Israel’ who made the tabernacle for in the chapters describing the manufacture of the parts of the tabernacle the recurring word is not ‘they’ but ‘he’. Doubtless the people did the work of building however Moses was the ‘architect’ so to speak. Rather like the ecclesia. Christ is the builder but we have to do the building.

40:35 In saying that Moses was not able to enter because of the could we are being shown that, in type, he could not dwell with God. The very structure where God would dwell highlighted Israel’s separation from God.

39:30 The phrase HOLINESS TO YAHWEH  was written as a notice, and emphasized, for all to see.  The notice about Christ follows the same idea Matt 27:37.

39:7     ‘upon his shoulders’ is the basis of bearing the burden of responsibility as Jesus will have the ‘government upon his shoulders’ Isa 9:6.

39:43 So at last all the work was over, ad God reviewed it and was pleased with what He saw. We are His building. Will he be pleased with what he sees when Jesus returns?

In the setting up of the tabernacle, the Ark is the 1st item to be put in place. As the representation of God's mercy seat, it was the focal point, and all else is secondary.

40:2   So the tabernacle was set up exactly one year after Israel left Egypt. As they arrived at Sinai three months after leaving Egypt - Exodus 19:1 - we know that it took them no more than 9 months to make the tabernacle.

40:36-38 Yahweh was with His people day and night, and He controlled their movements.  This should have been of immense spiritual comfort to Israel.  We too, have the presence of Yahweh in our daily lives, if we will let Him in.  He will also guide us if we take Him into our confidence (Prov 3:5,6).

40:31 The washing of the hands and the feet marked the cleansing for work. The hands for service and the feet for movement in the work of God.

Psalm 102 This Psalm - which is a prayer of 'complaint' - see the title - may have been spoken by Hezekiah when he was sick and had been told he was going to die (2 Kings 20:1) Here is a table to the verbal links between the Psalm and the prophecy of Isaiah - Isaiah prophesied in the reign of Hezekiah.

Psalm 102  A prayer for relief of personal affliction and the continuance of life. The writer however recognizes that The LORD shall endure for ever.V.12

102      As you read through the Psalm look for the personal pronouns ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘my’ which demonstrates the personal nature of the Psalm.

102 Notice the shift in focus in the Psalm. Verses :1-11 shows the Psalmist focussing upon his own problems. Verses :12-28 shows the Psalmist focussing upon God’s greatness. It is the realisation of God’s greatness which is the resolution of the Psalmist’s problem. Maybe if we can look beyond our own problems to the vat purpose of God we might see our own problems in their true perspective.

Vs. 25-27 These verses are repeated by the writer to the Hebrews as he refers to Jesus (Heb 1:10-12).

102:3 The Psalmists (Hezekiah’s) feeling that his ‘bones re burned’ contrasts powerfully with how Hezekiah, and other faithful believers, will feel when Christ returns as seen in Isa 66:14

Israel's experiences in the wilderness were a parable of life Psa 78:2 - look at the rest of the Psalm.  Paul is making use of this 'parable' by quoting specific incidents.

Some claim that vs.4,9 show the pre-existence of Christ.  It is not possible to exist before one's own birth (notwithstanding the Trinitarian's false view that Christ is God).

V.4 The Rock, from which poured life-giving water (Num 20:8), was symbolic of Christ (John 4:10-14).

V.9 The bronze serpent exemplified Christ as it was lifted up on the pole (cross).  Through focussing on it, in faith, the power of sin (bites of serpents) could be overcome (Num 21:8,9).
 
V.13 Yahweh may set trials to prove us, but He knows our capabilities and exacts the right amount of pressure (see my note on Ps. 102).
 
V.25 Food offered to idols was sold in the public market (shambles KJV).  Paul is saying just to view it as food, to buy it and not to ask questions as to its purpose.  Then the conscience will be clear.  The same thing applies if invited to dinner by a stranger.  Eat whatever is given with a clear conscience without asking questions (v.27). However, if informed by a host that it was food offered to idols, Paul advises to decline it.  Thus, the belief in Yahweh, and not in idols, is publicly declared. 

10:8  Paul says that 23,000 died in the plague whereas the historical record – Num 25:9– says it was 24,000. The resolution is not found in arguing that there is a scribal error with the numbers. The resolution is in the detail of what Paul and Numbers say. Paul says ‘in one day’ whereas Numbers gives the total who died in the plague without limiting the time period.

There are 5 “all” in 1Cor 10:1-4, then 5 examples quoted in 1Cor 10:6-11. If 5 is the number of grace, and we are saved by grace, then these examples are indeed for our admonition, (or putting into our mind). All 5 illustrations are from the wilderness journey, and all show us that despite being isolated from other nations, there was still evil in the heart of Israel. Paul’s summary is that those of us who think we are able to stand, should take heed lest we fall (1Cor 10:12).

There are 5 “all” in 1Cor 10:1-4, then 5 examples quoted in 1Cor 10:6-11. If 5 is the number of grace, and we are saved by grace, then these examples are indeed for our admonition, (or putting into our mind). All 5 illustrations are from the wilderness journey, and all show us that despite being isolated from other nations, there was still evil in the heart of Israel. Paul’s summary is that those of us who think we are able to stand, should take heed lest we fall (1Cor 10:12).

10:12 The point hardly needs making – or maybe it does – we are all liable to fall in the same way as Israel did in the different ways in the wilderness journey which is a pattern of our lives

10:11  Doubtless there were more things that happened in the wilderness than are recorded. This highlights the fact that what was recorded was not simply for the benefit of those who experienced the events. God, selectively, recorded things which would benefit us.

Paul uses the same verse in Psalm 24 to prove two opposite sides to an argument. How's that possible? In v25 he says "eat whatever", quoting in v26 "the earth is the LORD's and all its fullness" from Psa 24:1. Then in v28 "do not eat" again quoting Psa 24:1. Let's look at the Psalm.

In Psa 24:3-4 David says that those who have clean hands and a pure heart and have not lifted up their soul to an idol will stand in the holy place before God. So checking out the context of the Psalm (as always) gives us the answer. Paul isn't concerned with whether we eat or don't eat, but with the conscience - just as God is not concerned with the idol but with whether the heart and conscience have been taken over by it. The heart (or mind) is where God wishes to dwell, and He won't share that place with any rival (Deut 6:4-9, Exo 20:3-5).

10:6 That these things ‘were our examples’ highlights the point that whilst at a practical level our lives are very different from Israel in the wilderness we are subject to exactly the same temptations. This should force us to realise that however pleasant this life seems to be it is in reality a wilderness where, without God’s direction’ we will perish.