Exodus 40:34-38
The Cloud and the Glory (Exodus 13:21, 22; Numbers 9:15–23)
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.
Israel was overshadowed by the glory of the LORD as they experienced firsthand His glory covering the completed tabernacle of worship and sacrifice. His glory filled the temple (Ezekiel 44:4) as the rising sun (Matthew 17:2) in full strength throughout the day, not just at its zenith. This glory not only filled the inside of the temple but also covered it from without as well. It was immersed in God’s glory to incite fearful awe and worship, just as the cloud in the daylight reminded them of that fiery glow of holiness at night. These coverings by the LORD were given so that Moses was unable to go in to speak with Him until God raised the cloud enough for him to enter in. When the cloud was completely taken up, the children of Israel had their cue to journey to the next place God was leading them to tabernacle a while. Throughout their pilgrimage they looked to the fire by night and cloud by day to guide them just as when the LORD led them out of captivity from Egypt (Exodus 13:21-22) and through the sea of their baptism into trust in Him to come (1 Peter 3:21). Are we so overwhelmed and overshadowed by the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ when we enter into His temple, our local churches of worship and praise, that we cry, “glory!” (Psalm 29:2, 9) and bow in our souls to Him? We stand to before Him as Moses did but with unveiled faces (2 Corinthians 3:13-14, 18) in a more full view of this glory by grace, and we should be thankful forever for each moment together with one another in His presence. Do we know of His presence when we meet together in worship and praise?
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