2023_04_24 Insight Post- Kim Feld

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 (Exodus 40:35-35, NLT).

When I read and study my Bible, I always have my notebook nearby to write down the things that stand out to me and questions that I want to research. This week’s reading, beginning in Exodus 40, allowed me to explore both. One question centered on verse 35.

The book of Exodus ends with Moses following God’s instructions to the last detail in setting up the Tabernacle, where God would dwell with His people. We read the beauty of verse 34 when God’s glory fills the place. But then we come to verse 35 and read that Moses can’t go in. Moses has had significant interactions with God up to this point. He spent 40 days and nights with God twice on Mount Sinai, receiving instructions and the 10 Commandments. There’s an intimacy and connection in their relationship that is astonishing. Yet, Moses can’t enter the Tabernacle that he built for God.

In researching this question, I found a lot of interesting information. First, I read about the broken fellowship between God and Israel through their disobedience in forming the golden calf (see Exodus 32). Moses once again interceded on the people’s behalf. God forgave their sin and agreed to continue on the journey with them. So, it would stand to reason that the people would not be able to enter the Tabernacle, but surely Moses would. But that wasn’t the case. If we continue reading Leviticus chapter one, we will see that God called Moses from the Tabernacle, so their communication wasn’t ended. Yet, there was a separation between them that even obeying all the laws and following the instructions for the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16) could not remove.

The purpose of the law that God gave to Moses was to make us aware of our sin and how separated we are from a completely holy God. Take a look at what Paul says in Galatians 3:19:

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.

 Paul was referring to Jesus. Look at this incredible connection between Jesus and the Tabernacle in John 1:14:

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.

The word for dwelling here literally means to spread a tent or tabernacle. Do you see the connection here? Jesus is the fulfillment of Exodus. Pastor Kevin DeYoung (2017) says, “The Lord Jesus is our Passover Lamb and divine Lawgiver. He went up on a mountain and gave the Sermon on the Mount. He’s like Moses: the new law-giver. He’s our manna in the wilderness, our water in the desert, our life-giving rock, our high-priest, our mediator, our intercessor, our mercy seat, our bloody sacrifice, and our holy tabernacle.” Jesus’ sacrifice removed the barrier between God and us and gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within us. What a savior we have!

Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach

Reference: DeYoung, K. (2017, June 18). We have seen His glory. [Sermon transcript]. University Reformed Church. https://www.universityreformedchurch.org/sermons/we-have-seen-his-glory/