By Shirley Rosemarie Evans
34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.
36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38 The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.
Exodus 40:34-38 (NLT)
The tabernacle of the Lord is complete according to the specifications that God had given to Moses. “The cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
Finally, there is a place for the manifest presence to dwell with His people. God is clearly pleased with the finished work and takes up residence. The awesomeness of God’s presence was such that Moses could not enter. We see a similar occurrence in 2 Chronicles 7 where Solomon dedicated the newly built temple. Without the presence of the glory of God both tabernacle and temple are merely grand buildings. It is the presence of the Living God that makes the difference.
When God’s people operated in obedience God was pleased. Where God is honoured, His presence is seen. This remains true for us today. Obedience is not the means to salvation this is through God’s grace alone. Neither does obedience give us extra brownie points. No but what it does do is create an atmosphere for the presence of the Holy God to dwell.
“Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward.” This is confirmation of God’s promise to Moses in Exodus 33:14 “The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you Moses, and I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you,” what a faithful God we serve. Despite the repeated rebellion and lack of faith of Israel God kept His word. And He led His people throughout their wilderness experience.
What a blessing to know that God’s glory was with His people wherever they went. The question for us today is how do we know that God’s glory goes with us? Do we recognise God’s stops and starts? Are we comfortable in the waiting, waiting for God to move in our situations or tell us it’s time to move on?
This Old Testament story continues into the New Testament. The glory of God filling the tabernacle becomes our story. Moses couldn’t enter the tabernacle because of the presence of God. But because Christ died to pay the penalty for sin once and for all that presence dwells within us and we the children of God are called temples of God. Oh, that we might Host His Holy presence with great wonder, reverence and awe.
Ask – Why was it that Moses who had previously experienced the glory of God now was not be able to enter the tabernacle?
Seek – How are you hosting the presence of the Living God?
Knock – Present yourself afresh to God and dedicate yourself as a Temple – Holy and acceptable unto God.
(Upper Photo by Sven Scheuermeier on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Lorenzo Spoleti on Unsplash)
