Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 39:43
And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
43. Moses found that all had been done according to Jehovah’s instructions.
blessed them ] for the energy and promptitude which had been shewn.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 43. And Moses did look upon all the work] As being the general superintendent of the whole, under whom Bezaleel and Aholiab were employed, as the other workmen were under them.
They had done it as the Lord had commanded] Exactly according to the pattern which Moses received from the Lord, and which he laid before the workmen to work by.
And Moses blessed them.] Gave them that praise which was due to their skill, diligence, and fidelity. See this meaning of the original word in the note on Ge 2:3. See Clarke on Ge 2:3. See also a fine instance of ancient courtesy between masters and their servants, in the case of Boaz and his reapers, Ru 2:4. Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, The Lord be with YOU! And they answered him, The Lord bless THEE! It is, however, very probable that Moses prayed to God in their behalf, that they might be prospered in all their undertakings, saved from every evil, and be brought at last to the inheritance that fadeth not away. This blessing seems to have been given, not only to the workmen, but to all the people. The people contributed liberally, and the workmen wrought faithfully, and the blessing of God was pronounced upon ALL.
THE promptitude, cordiality, and despatch used in this business cannot be too highly commended, and are worthy of the imitation of all who are employed in any way in the service of God. The prospect of having God to dwell among them inflamed every heart, because they well knew that on this depended their prosperity and salvation. They therefore hastened to build him a house, and they spared no expense or skill to make it, as far as a house made with hands could be, worthy of that Divine Majesty who had promised to take up his residence in it. This tabernacle, like the temple, was a type of the human nature of the Lord Jesus; that was a shrine not made with hands, formed by God himself, and worthy of that fulness of the Deity that dwelt in it.
It is scarcely possible to form an adequate opinion of the riches, costly workmanship, and splendour of the tabernacle; and who can adequately conceive the glory and excellence of that human nature in which the fulness of the Godhead bodily dwelt? That this tabernacle typified the human nature of Christ, and the Divine shechinah that dwelt in it the Deity that dwelt in the man Christ Jesus, these words of St. John sufficiently prove: In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was GOD. And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ( , made his TABERNACLE among us,) full of grace and truth – possessing the true Urim and Thummim; all the lights and perfections, the truth and the grace, typified by the Mosaic economy, Joh 1:1; Joh 1:14. And hence the evangelist adds, And we beheld his glory; as the Israelites beheld the glory of God resting on the tabernacle, so did the disciples of Christ see the Divine glory resting on him, and showing itself forth in all his words, spirit, and works. And for what purpose was the tabernacle erected? That God might dwell in it among the children of Israel. And for what purpose was the human nature of Christ so miraculously produced? That the Godhead might dwell in it; and that God and man might be reconciled through this wonderful economy of Divine grace, God being in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, 2Co 5:19. And what was implied by this reconciliation? The union of the soul with God, and the indwelling of God in the soul. Reader, has God yet filled thy tabernacle with his glory? Does Christ dwell in thy heart by faith; and dost thou abide in him, bringing forth fruit unto holiness? Then thy end shall be eternal life. Why shouldst thou not go on thy way rejoicing with Christ in thy heart, heaven in thine eye, and the world, the devil, and the flesh, under thy feet?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
i.e. Both the people for their liberal contribution, and the workmen for their great care and industry.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
43. Moses did look upon all thework, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commandedAformal inspection was made on the completion of the tabernacle, notonly with a view to have the work transferred from the charge of theworkmen, but to ascertain whether it corresponded with “thepattern.” The result of a careful and minute survey showed thatevery plank, curtain, altar, and vase had been most accurately madeof the form, and in the place designed by the Divine ArchitectandMoses, in accepting it of their hands, thanked God for them, andbegged Him to bless them.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Moses did look upon all the work,…. Made a survey of it, and with great care and accuracy examined every particular thing, and the manner in which it was finished:
and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it; both as to matter and manner in every point, on all accounts, just as they were ordered and directed; they being throughout the whole filled by the Spirit of God with wisdom and understanding, to do everything just as it was the will and pleasure of God it should be done:
and Moses blessed them; commended them for what they had done, and implored the divine blessing upon them; and which may be understood both of the people who had so liberally and plentifully contributed to this good work, and of the artificers who had so carefully and punctually performed it. The form of blessing, as the Targum of Jonathan gives it, is,
“may the Shechinah (or the divine Majesty) of the Lord dwell in the works of your hands;”
or as Jarchi expresses it,
“may it be the pleasure (of God) that the Shechinah may dwell in the works of your hands, and the beauty of the Lord our God may be upon us, &c.”
which last words were part of the prayer of Moses, Ps 90:17.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When Moses had received and examined all the different articles, and found that everything was made according to the directions of Jehovah, he blessed the children of Israel. The readiness and liberality with which the people had presented the gifts required for this work, and the zeal which they had shown in executing the whole of the work in rather less than half a year (see at Exo 40:17), were most cheering signs of the willingness of the Israelites to serve the Lord, for which they could not fail to receive the blessing of God.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(43) Moses did look upon all the worki.e., inspected it, examined it, to see if it was according to the pattern shown him. Being satisfied, he expressed his own and Gods approval by blessing those who had worked so faithfully.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 39:43. And Moses blessed them The work being completely finished, Exo 39:32 was brought for the inspection of Moses; who, finding that the artists had done all agreeably to the commandment of God, gave them his solemn benediction; for, that it was the artists whom he blessed, and not the work itself, is plain from the words immediately preceding, as the Lord commanded them, so had THEY done: and Moses blessed them. If it be asked, How much time was employed in this important work? We answer, that the Israelites took about two months to come from the Red-sea to the foot of mount Sinai. We afterwards find that Moses spent twice forty days upon the mountain: this then brings it to near five months; and less than a month can hardly be allowed to the other events related in this book of Exodus. The people, therefore, could not have taken in hand the work of the tabernacle, till about six months after their departure from Egypt. Now, it is expressly said in the following chapter, that the tabernacle was reared on the first day of the second year after that departure; so that they were about six months in constructing it.
REFLECTIONS.1. The whole is completely finished. The time was short, but the workmen were hearty and unanimous; and much may be done in little time, when we set about it with a good will. It is want of unanimity among the builders, and want of zeal in the labourers, that makes church-work so slow.
2. They bring the several pieces to Moses, and he approves of them, as exactly corresponding to the pattern shewed them. God, who gave the model, has added the wisdom to copy it. Note; If we be enabled to walk so as to please God, we must ascribe it to the praise of the glory of his grace, who worketh in us both to will and to do.
3. Moses in the name of God blesses them: and this was sufficient wages. They had been working for God: the enjoyment of his presence in the tabernacle would amply recompense their toil. Note; No work of faith, or labour of love, shall lose its reward. When we appear in the presence of Jesus our Judge, he will pronounce the blessing upon his servants, and admit them into the everlasting joy of their Lord.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Moses, as the servant of the Lord, acted here in his name. Heb 3:5 .
REFLECTIONS
In the review of the finishing the Jewish tabernacle, let every Reader of the account call to mind the glorious work of redemption our great High Priest hath finished by his complete atonement. How costly the work! how great the undertaking! how precious thy building, thou dear Redeemer, when the temple of thy body, being according to the Jewish cruelty, supposed to be destroyed, thou didst raise it again in three days. Lord Jesus! raise up thy power in my soul. Consecrate all I have to thy service. And may I know the power of thy resurrection, and the fellowship of thy sufferings, being made conformable to thy death!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 39:43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
Ver. 43. And Moses blessed them. ] He highly commended them, praised God for them, and prayed heartily for them, as afterwards David did, “The Lord, that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
did look: Exo 40:25, Gen 1:31, Psa 104:31
blessed them: Gen 14:19, Lev 9:22, Lev 9:23, Num 6:23-27, Jos 22:6, 2Sa 6:18, 1Ki 8:14, 1Ch 16:2, 2Ch 6:3, 2Ch 30:27, Neh 11:2, Psa 19:11
Reciprocal: Gen 7:5 – all that Exo 7:6 – General Exo 25:40 – that thou make Exo 29:35 – according Exo 39:32 – according Exo 40:16 – according Lev 8:4 – General Lev 8:36 – Aaron Num 1:54 – General Num 36:10 – General Jos 11:15 – and so did Joshua 2Ki 16:10 – the pattern 1Ch 14:16 – did as God 1Ch 28:11 – the pattern 2Ch 8:15 – they departed Ecc 2:11 – I looked Jer 13:5 – as Mat 21:6 – and did Luk 2:34 – blessed
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 39:43. And Moses did look upon all the work Piece by piece; and behold they had done it according to the pattern showed him For the same that showed him the pattern, guided their hand in the work. And Moses blessed them He not only praised them, but prayed for them: he blessed them as one having authority. We read not of any wages Moses paid them for their work, but his blessing he gave them. For though ordinarily the labourer be worthy of his hire, yet in this case, they wrought for themselves. The honour and comfort of Gods tabernacle among them would be recompense enough. And they had their meat from heaven on free cost, for themselves and their families, and their raiment waxed not old upon them; so that they neither needed wages, nor had any reason to expect any. But indeed this blessing, in the name of the Lord, was wages enough for all their work. Those whom God employs he will bless, and those whom he blesseth they are blessed indeed. The blessing he commands is life for evermore.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
39:43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses {k} blessed them.
(k) Praised God for the peoples diligence and prayed for them.