Exodus 40:17-38 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Exodus 40:17-38, the final passage of Exodus. Let’s go!
Exodus 40:17-35 (NIV)
17 So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month in the second year.
18 When Moses set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames, inserted the crossbars and set up the posts.
19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, as the LORD commanded him.
20 He took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover over it.
21 Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain and shielded the ark of the Testimony, as the LORD commanded him.
22 Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain
23 and set out the bread on it before the LORD, as the LORD commanded him.
24 He placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle
25 and set up the lamps before the LORD, as the LORD commanded him.
26 Moses placed the gold altar in the Tent of Meeting in front of the curtain
27 and burned fragrant incense on it, as the LORD commanded him.
28 Then he put up the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.
29 He set the altar of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it burnt offerings and grain offerings, as the LORD commanded him.
30 He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing,
31 and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet.
32 They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, as the LORD commanded Moses.
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 upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
On verses 17-35: Notice how over and over the words “as the LORD commanded Moses” get repeated when describing how Moses set up the tabernacle. When Moses had finished the work, a cloud representing the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. For me it’s a powerful reminder of two things:
First, full obedience ushers in the presence of God. Moses carefully set up the tabernacle just as the LORD had commanded, and in a similar way Jesus carefully obeyed His Father completely and it is through His perfect obedience that we now have God’s presence in our lives. Jesus’ perfect obedience ushered the presence of God into our world.
Second, Moses was such an exceptional leader. More than Moses’ talents which were extensive, it was Moses’ heart – his willingness to be used by God, his desire to obey God and do everything that God commanded, his love for the people he led despite all the difficulties they gave him, his perseverance through all sorts of trials, challenges and setbacks, his faith to risk it all on God over and over again – that made Moses the greatest leader in the Old Testament. Jesus of course is on a much higher level compared to everyone else including Moses, and Moses of course had his share of flaws and made his share of mistakes. But you will not find a leader greater than Moses in the Old Testament. It goes to show that the most important asset a leader has is their heart.
Exodus 40:36-38 (NIV)
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 house of Israel during all their travels.
On verses 36-38: In Exodus 33:15 Moses prayed to the LORD, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” That’s how much Moses realized he and the Israelites needed God’s presence: as much as he wanted to get a move on things, Moses did not want to go anywhere unless God’s presence went with them. Here in verses 36-38 we see that same dependency on the presence of God. Moses and the Israelites would only set out when the cloud, representing the glory and presence of God, lifted. Like Moses, may we cherish, seek after and depend on the presence of God. Rather than depending on our own smarts and experiences, may we be more aware of God’s presence in our lives and follow His leading.
Father, thank You that because of Jesus’ perfect obedience, we can now have Your presence and glory in our midst. How precious and important Your presence is in my life. May I be more aware of Your presence and follow Your lead. Thank You also for the amazing example of Moses. Though he was not perfect, he was incredible leader and You used him mightily because of his heart. May I have the same desire to obey You and the same willingness to take risks and to honour You with my life. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
