EXODUS CHAPTER 40
— 9. As regards the facts of the Old Testament, of the holy places and vessels, they are these. When the tabernacle was set up, all was anointed. The altar of burnt-offering was [p. 238] daily sprinkled with blood, when Aaron and his sons were consecrated; see chapter 29: 36. Blood was put upon the mercy-seat the day of atonement, but this was not to cleanse it, but it was also put on the altar of incense. But an atonement was made — a ka-phar — for the Holy Place by the former, and for the altar of incense, i.e., the places of approach, by the latter — there is nothing said of candlestick or shewbread — it is the place of priests (saints) approaching. The place without, and altar, was for sinners to come to God by — there God must act in His ways to bring them to Himself; that was another thing.
— 15. Note in this sanctifying no blood is used as to any, or anything — it is the sanctifying in itself.
— 35. Yet he was in the cloud on the top of Sinai. How the relationship with God is of His own grace and way!