Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys (Exodus 40:34-38).

The culmination of Moses managing the construction of the tent of meeting was the personal presence of God. If you read the construction of the tabernacle starting in Exodus 25 through 31 and then again from chapter 35-40 you would think that the glory would be the stunning architecture of the tabernacle itself. The blueprint was meticulous, the engineering was precise, and the materials were the best materials available. While it may not compare to present day engineering accomplishments, it was pretty impressive from a human perspective especially taking note of their context and situation fleeing from Egypt. But the real glory was not that the tabernacle exalted the prodigious genius of man but the overwhelming presence of the glory of the LORD.

The true glory of the tabernacle was the overwhelming presence of the glory of God. Ironically, the first statement was that the presence of the LORD is veiled by a cloud. The cloud covered the tent of meeting which would remind us that no one can look upon the face of God and live. But the glory of the LORD is so brilliant that the cloud could not hide God’s presence. The power of His presence was that the glory of God filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle because of the brilliance of God’s glory; how amazing is the power of His presence. God was with His people and would always be with his people. They were not alone.

The priority of the glory of the LORD was to be the centerpiece of His people. We are told that the presence of the glory of the LORD was not just a one-time experience. In fact we are told that God’s presence was a permanent part of the life of Israel. What a stimulating thought. God was not playing hide and seek with His people. They did not ever have to wonder where God was. They never had a time they did not have access to His presence. God was with them. His presence was palpable, they could “see” His presence because His glory filled the tabernacle. God would not abandon His people. He was with them.

The purpose of the presence of the glory of the LORD was to lead His people. One of the most unique elements of this pericope was that God guided and led His people through their journeys. If God did not move, Israel did not move. When the cloud raised up from the tabernacle, they packed their bags and headed out. It did not matter if it was night because God changed His presence so there would be no doubt about His presence.

Christians today have a very similar privilege. Listen to 2 Corinthians 4:6-7:

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Every believer is the “tabernacle” for the personal presence of the glory of God. We have seen His glory in the face of Christ. It is this treasure that dwells in us so that the “surpassing power” belongs to God and not ourselves. In a world that everything is crumbling around us, it is an amazing comfort to know that the power of God’s presence is with us…always. God desires to be with us. God desires to overwhelm us with His glory. God is present in order to lead us every step of our journey. Wow!

In the face of the glory of God in the face of Christ,

Pastor Brad