Glory of the Lord to Behold

Exodus 40:34-38

The Cloud and the Glory

34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

As the people of God traveled toward the promised land, His glory covered the tabernacle where He met the high priest.  Notice that even Moses who spoke with God could not go into the tabernacle when God’s glory covered it.  The cloud was also leading them in their journey, resting on the tabernacle until it was time to walk on by trust (faith) in His direction by this act of raising the cloud off of it.  It was also as when they had left Egypt toward the Red Sea with fire by night and the cloud by day as they journeyed onward, a visible reminder of both His past deliverance from bondage and of His continued presence to lead and to guide them home.  We have His Spirit now living in the temple of these bodies (1 Corinthians 3:16) who have been freed from sin’s bondage and are led toward that heavenly promised land (Hebrews 11:16) by faith in His promises which guide us.  We also behold His glory now in part (John 17,24, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:6), knowing when we reach the place where God dwells and rules that we will no longer have a cloud to hide Him from view because of our sinful nature nor fear His fire of judgement.  In Christ we behold God’s glory in hope of that heavenly country!  This glory we will surely see and worship the Lamb who is worthy.