EXPLORE THE TEXT
God’s presence is His greatest blessing.
34 The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
35 Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting
because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Having set up the most holy place, Moses set up the rest of the tabernacle in 40:22-33.
Then came a significant concluding statement in verse 33:
“So Moses finished the work.”
Moses’s finished work is echoed by Solomon regarding the temple in 1 Kings 7:51
(using a different verb, shalam).
But both are transcended by a greater work finished by God.
The almost exact Hebrew words occur in Genesis 2:2,
when God finished (kalah) creation.
Moses’s work symbolized a new creation of sorts, a new chapter of God’s redemption story.
Centuries later, a very different new creation would be “finished” at the cross (John 19:30).
Highlight the word “glory.”
The Bible refers to a singular cloud more than one hundred times. Seldom, however, are these simply clouds.
The wording usually represents God’s presence, guiding (Ex. 13:21),
speaking (24:16; 34:5; Matt. 17:5),
protecting (Ex. 14:19),
or judging (Num. 12:4-10).
Depending on the context, God’s presence could inspire fear or comfort.
While a cloud could reveal God’s presence, it also could shield His people from lethal exposure to His glorious essence (Lev. 16:2,13).
Whereas the cloud hovered over the tabernacle, the glory of the Lord filled it.
We must not think, however, of God’s presence (the cloud) and God’s glory as separate entities.
First, the Hebrew verb for “rested on” (v. 35) is shakan,
previously used of the Lord’s glory at Sinai (Ex. 24:16; 25:8).
Second, in 16:7, Moses and Aaron promised Israel they would “see the Lord’s glory.” The dazzling sight of the cloud was God’s own presence, as one might enter the throne room of the Mighty King.
“Glory” translates the Hebrew word kavod (“be heavy”),
which can mean “abundance, riches, or wealth.”
Usually, it refers to honor or splendor belonging to God.
To “give glory” to God means to confess the truth about Him, to praise Him, or to declare His greatness and goodness.
Moses and the priests could not even get near the tabernacle when God’s glory was present.
Note that His presence may have taken on a new intensity since Moses had walked into the cloud on Sinai.
while many spectacular things may occur when God is present, the most important thing we need to focus on is His presence.
reflect on Exodus 40:34-35.
pray this Scripture using the “Praying Scripture” prompts.