- “Is God really with us?”
<Exodus 39>
42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
<Exodus 40>
17 So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month in the second year.
33 Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.
Precise obedience to God.
- <Ex 40>: 8 times of “just as the Lord commanded”.
- True repentance Concrete obedience.
The cloud and glory of God.
1) The cloud is a visible manifestation of the glory of God.
2) God has always been present with His people.
- Don’t judge if God is with us based on our circumstances or our feelings, but based on His word and promise, and His character.
- If obey Him >>> His presence is our assurance.
- If rebel against Him >>> His presence may be ‘dangerous’.
- Yet, God was willing to dwell among His people, in spite of their sin.
Even Moses couldn’t enter the tabernacle.
- The transcendence of God.
- Yet, willing to condescend.
- <Isaiah 57:15> For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- Someone greater than Moses is needed.
- New covenant’s perfect mediator – Jesus Christ.
- <Heb 9> 1 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.
8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order. 11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
- <Jn 1:14> The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- God dwells in each believer through the Holy Spirit.
- Holy Spirit as assurance and guide.
What’s next?
- God now dwells with them, but they must obey His guidance.
- <v36-37> “In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out;but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted.”
- Exodus >>> Leviticus (holiness).
Conclusion: Book of Exodus.
- From slavery to worship.
- Right worship is worshipping God as who He is and not as who we want Him to be.
- Real worship is not just with our lips, but with our obedient actions.
- Worship God not only when we are with God’s people, but in all aspects of our lives.
Reflection
- Can you confirm the faithful presence of God in your life, in both good and bad times? Share your testimonies. What do you feel about God’s presence (‘dangerous’ or assuring)?
- How meticulously did you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit (cross reference to Israelites moving or staying put based on the cloud’s guidance) and how much heart and details did you put into obeying God (noting ‘love is in the details’, and remembering how Israel did everything ‘just as the Lord commanded’)?
