Exodus 40:34-38 (Read Here)
Coming to the end of Exodus, we have journeyed with Moses and Israel in their highs and lows. We have seen all the parallels between Christ and the Church in Scripture. Our hope is that you see God’s faithfulness throughout the ages. We also hope you see how today we are much like Israel in need of rescue, Jesus being the superior Moses who rescues (Hebrew 3:3-4) and all the implications that stem from those truths. In Exodus, we read how Israel was enslaved by Egypt. We also read how God freed His people and led them for years through a desolate desert. God reveals himself, God’s people sin, God forgives, and Israel responds with worship and obedience – a cycle we can relate to. However, Moses ends Exodus with these encouraging verses, “the glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34).
What makes this tabernacle so significant? It’s God’s presence. Without it, this is just a fancy tent – the same could be said of a church, of a home, or of us. God forgives, remaining with Israel, despite the golden calf scenario. Therefore, we can look at these verses, holding fast to the belief God is just as forgiving and faithful to us; even when we are unfaithful and gravitate towards idols. It does not stop there. By definition, a tabernacle is a dwelling place. In Ephesians 2:22, Paul tells us, “In him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” No longer do God’s people have to spectate from afar God’s glory or experience for one moment the absence of God’s presence, but because of Christ, those who are in Him, by His Spirit, God now dwells within. In other words, the glory shown in these verses is now within us.
Moses, towards the end of verse 38, tells us,” throughout all their journeys.” To imply a journey, there must be an arrival or destination. For the Israelites, it was the Promised Land. Where is God leading us? Our destination is Jesus. If you believe in Jesus, yes, he is with you right now. However, God leads us throughout our journey to heaven. Ezekiel 37:27, “My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people,” which is repeated towards the end of the book of Revelation. It is with great joy that we anticipate this as our ultimate arrival as Christians. May Exodus remind you throughout your journey in this broken, corrupted world, Jesus forgives our sins as we believe in Him, His Spirit dwells within His people. In our journey, years within our desolate desert, God is with us, leading us to heaven to be with God in His full glory for eternity, as it should be. May God help you see the rich beauty with the text.