Exodus 39:18
And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it. And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.
Exodus 39:18 belongs to the second, chiefly legislative division of Exodus, chapters 19-40, which presents the ransomed people bound to Jehovah by solemn covenant as a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation and provided with a system of legal ordinances for their guidance. More specifically it belongs to the last six chapters, chapters 35-40, which relate the preparation and fitting of the Tabernacle in carrying out the detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furniture received by Moses from God during forty days' stay in the mountain. The Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year from the Exodus.
The verse records the carrying out of prior divine directions, for the building and setting up of the sanctuary in Exodus 33-40, also described as Exodus 35-40 and concluding in Exodus 36-40, immediately followed in chronological order the instruction concerning the sanctuary in Exodus 25-31 given to Moses in the mount after the events of Exodus 19-32. Exodus 39 describes the making of the sanctuary furnishings and garments as directed, built just as God directed. It belongs to the record in Exodus 35-40 of carrying out the instructions for the sanctuary given in Exodus 25-31, showing the ark with all its furniture and equipment being built just as God directed.
The sanctuary and its priestly garments were marvelously beautiful and built exactly according to the divine pattern, dimensions, material and furnishings given to Moses in Mount Sinai. It was constructed by specially endowed workmen from free-will offerings of the children of Israel after their redemption from Egyptian bondage. Its description is consistent with the skill and craftsmanship of the ancient world.
The sanctuary was the dwelling place Israel was asked to make so God might dwell among men and reveal His love. It served as a great multiple object-lesson teaching the plan of salvation and the character He required. There worship centered on the holy of holies, with God's law beneath the mercy seat.
When the work including the ark with all its furniture and equipment was completed, wonderful blessing and glory came down upon the congregation and the building. That manifestation of God's glory showed that He accepted the people's repentance at the building and inaugurating of the sanctuary and its services.
The verse belongs to the law of Moses commanded in Horeb with statutes and judgments, comprising all the laws given through Moses including civil regulations, laws of sacrifices and offerings, laws of conduct between man and man, health laws, ceremonial laws and moral laws, with the Ten Commandments included under the statutes and judgments. It is one of the laws revealing offerings, sacrifices and types by which the substance of the new dispensation is traced from the shadows of the old. In the last days God's people are called to remember it together with the whole law especially set forth in Exodus 20 to 40 and in Leviticus, not the Ten-Commandment law alone, as the rule of conduct.
The wilderness sanctuary first pitched after the Exodus answered every purpose for which it was constructed, yet it was always typical and shadowy. It foreshadowed the better temple and more perfect service, the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man. All its rites and ceremonies served as object lessons pointing to the coming Messiah and His power to forgive sin, transform the character and deliver from heavy burdens. The earthly sanctuary passed away entirely and forever with the death of Christ when the veil of the temple was rent in twain.
Exodus 39:8-21 describes the breastplate of judgment worn by the high priest bearing the tribes of Israel. Its wearing in the tenth-day atonement made that day a day of judgment for the house of Israel. This foreshadowed the investigative judgment of the house of God that takes place before the second coming of Christ.