Neville Goddard on Exodus 40:3-5 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Exodus 40 in context

Scripture Focus

3And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

4And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

5And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:3-5

Biblical Context

Exodus 40:3-5 describes the sacred furniture being set in the sanctuary: the ark placed behind the veil, the table with its ordered vessels, the candlestick lit, and the altar of incense before the ark, with the door to the tabernacle hung. These actions symbolize how inner life is arranged for true worship.

Neville's Inner Vision

Within the desert of images, Exodus invites you to see that the temple you seek is already built in your consciousness. The ark of the testimony is the I AM within you—the immutable truth of your being—kept behind a veil of awareness; when you 'put there' the ark and cover it, you acknowledge that your most sacred reality is guarded by your attention. The table set in order and the things arranged upon it symbolize the daily thoughts, habits, and purposes you consciously align with truth. To bring in the candlestick and light the lamps is to invite illumination by your inner sight, to not let fear or doubt extinguish the flame of awareness. The altar of gold for incense before the ark represents your prayers, gratitude, and rising desire offered with reverence before the permanent reality of God within. The hanging of the door to the tabernacle marks a deliberate boundary between external noise and your holy sanctuary; you choose what enters the inner chamber. This is worship: not external forms, but the steady ordering of consciousness around your divine I AM.

Practice This Now

Close your eyes and imagine you are standing in your inner sanctuary: place the ark of your truth in your heart, lift the veil of awareness, set your daily purposes on the table, light the lamp by affirming I AM, and offer incense of gratitude before the ark; then hang the door to keep out doubt.