Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Our readings for today are Exodus 39-40 and Matthew 24:1-22.
Exodus 39-40 are the final two chapters of the book. If this is the first time you’ve read through the whole of Exodus, well done!
In chapter 39 we saw the detailed account of the making of the priestly garments. And then in chapter 40 we see the tabernacle erected. Moses has obeyed God and done everything required in its construction.
Let me read the final paragraph of the book.
Exodus 40:34–38
[34] Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. [35] 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. [36] Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. [37] But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. [38] 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. (ESV)
The glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle. This is a remarkable moment!
There have been some significant moments in the book of Exodus. Remember all the way back to the beginning, God hearing the groans of his people, and then miraculously he rescued them from slavery in Egypt, and powerfully brought them out through the Red Sea. The LORD has given his people the law, he’s provided bread from heaven. So many blessings in one book.
And yet, according to Tim Chester, “Of all the blessings God gives… this is the greatest: God himself, in his glory.”
It’s an amazing picture of the LORD dwelling with his people.
God dwelling with his people is such a significant theme in scripture.
In Genesis 2 – God was dwelling with his people, but because of sin, people could no longer be in the presence of God.
In Exodus we have seen what God has done to rescue his people, we’ve heard of the need to make sacrifices for sin, and that will only come into more focus in the book of Leviticus. Sacrifice for sin needs to be made to be in God’s presence.
By the end of Exodus we have the completed tabernacle. This tabernacle is a foreshadow of God dwelling with his people later in scripture as well.
The history of Israel throughout the rest of the Old Testament continues to a rocky road, by the time of Ezekiel, the LORD’s glory departs from the temple.
Let me give you 3 progressive snapshots of God’s glory and God’s presence in the New Testament
SNAPSHOT 1: John 1:14
[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (ESV)
Jesus is God come amongst us. The phrase ‘dwelt among us’ is literally tabernacled. In Jesus we see the glory of God! The gospels then unpack what Jesus has done to offer a once and for all sacrifice for sin, that we can permanently be in God’s presence.
SNAPSHOT 2: Ephesians 2:20b–22
[20] … Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (ESV)
By God’s Spirit we – the church – become the dwelling place of God! We no longer need ornate buildings and temples to attend to worship God, because God is in us by his Spirit.
SNAPSHOT 3: Revelation
Revelation 21:3
[3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (ESV)
The Holy Spirit was a foretaste of what would come in Revelation where we are physically in the presence of God for all eternity.
Revelation 21:22–23
[22] And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. [23] And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. (ESV)
As we read Exodus 40 and see the Glory of God and the presence of God… may we see all that it foreshadows… in Jesus… in us by God’s Spirit… and then that day that is to come when the glory of God will gives us light and life and love for the rest of eternity!
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.