Session 10
Exodus 40:16-21,34-38
Memory Verse: Exodus 40:34
In Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll imagined Humpty Dumpty showing his mastery over words by using “glory” in an odd way. Perhaps Carroll chose that word because it represents one of the most emotionally positive words in the English language. We talk about people being “in all their glory” when they showcase their talents. Extreme beauty and majesty leave us awestruck by their “glory.” Musical compositions or other works of art are labeled “glorious.”
But these experiences pale in comparison to the glory of God manifested in the Bible. As you prepare to lead this session on God’s glory, ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a fresh way. Ask Him to remove any barriers that might get in the way of your walk with Him. And ask Him to do something amazing among the adults in your Bible study through the message of Exodus 40.
Over 1,000 years ago, it was a plot of marshy ground. Over time, Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, and the Westminster Abbey monks owned the land. Early in the 1600s, William Blake built the first home there. Massive additions came through the years. Queen Victoria made it her royal residence in 1837. We know it as Buckingham Palace. A common sight atop Buckingham Palace is the Royal Standard. This flag indicates the monarch is in residence. (PSG, p. 91)
After Moses received all of God’s covenant promises and stipulations, wrote them down, and read them to the people, they committed themselves to the Lord and were sealed by the blood of the covenant (Ex. 24:1-8). The path was now open for them to enjoy peace with God in the only way they understood-through offerings in the house where He dwelt among them. They just needed to build the house and its furniture by God’s specifications (24:18).
Having received God’s instructions, Moses was given the two stone tablets, inscribed by God’s finger (31:18). These served as a symbol of God’s guarantee of His faithful love and Israel’s commitment to Him. But, as so often happens, sin got in the way.
While Moses had been enveloped by God’s holiness and glory for forty days, the people grew impatient and urged Aaron to make them a new god. Out of the Egyptian plunder destined for the tabernacle, Aaron made a gold calf and instituted counterfeit worship of “Yahweh” (32:1-6). God justly threatened to destroy them, but Moses intervened. He withdrew His threat, but not the disastrous consequences of their rebellion. Some 3,000 people died, and God also struck Israel with a plague (32:35).
Exodus 33 shows how Israel’s covenant violation had corrupted their intimacy with God. They were now under His discipline, and He had to keep His distance (33:3-6). Moses became the nation’s mediator, using a tent outside the camp. The estrangement between Israel and God contrasted with Moses’s intimacy with Him. He talked with God “face to face,” an idiom that emphasized openness and directness rather than physical vision (33:11).
The relationship was also described as a friendship. This was further illustrated by the remarkable conversation Moses had with God in 33:12-23, where he glimpsed God’s glory, but not His face (33:20).
Exodus 34 constitutes the renewal of the covenant ceremony that began in chapter 19 but was interrupted by the apostasy in chapter 32. Moses’s conversation with the Lord concluded in verses 8-9 with his plea for God’s forgiveness of Israel and their reconciliation, which the Lord accepted. This resulted in the creation of two new, identical stone tablets (34:1,29) since Moses had smashed the first two.
In addition, the Lord promised to lead Israel personally and to drive out the Canaanites (34:11,24; see 33:2). Chapters 35-39 then describe the tabernacle’s construction and the priestly garments. Everything was done just as God had commanded Moses (38:22; 39:1,5,7,21,26,29,31,32,43).
As you read Exodus 40:16-21,34-38, look for how God made His presence known. How can we be assured of His presence with us now? (PSG, p. 92)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
16 Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him. 17 The tabernacle was set up in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month. 18 Moses set up the tabernacle: He laid its bases, positioned its supports, inserted its crossbars, and set up its pillars. 19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 20 Moses took the testimony and placed it in the ark, and attached the poles to the ark. He set the mercy seat on top of the ark. 21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the curtain for the screen, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the Lord had commanded him.
(v. 16) Just as the Lord had commanded: This is the only place Moses is commended for such obedience. Nevertheless, he was affirmed by God for six different acts of obedience (vv. 19,21,23,25, 27,29). Such loyalty and devotion inevitably produce joy and satisfaction for believers, as well as confidence in God.
(v. 17) First month of the second year: Israel’s first “New Year’s Day” as a nation came just two weeks before the anniversary of their leaving Egypt (12:6,18) and nine months since their arrival at Sinai (19:1). It is unfathomable that such a critical event as establishing God’s dwelling place would coincidently fall on Israel’s first new year. Considering all Israel’s struggles, only God’s grace could have brought them through that first year.
(v. 19) Tent over the tabernacle: Once men like Bezalel and Oholiab finished their work, Moses assembled the supporting structure for the tabernacle (v. 18). Then, he hung the tent and the covering. The tent refers to the layered covering over the tent of meeting (26:7; 36:14). Unlike the larger courtyard, which was open air, the holy place and the most holy place had a “roof.”
The building’s cover had four layers. Inside was the colorful yarn with embroidered cherubim, over which was a layer of goats’ hair, then “ram skins dyed red.” The covering was the final layer, and it was made of “fine leather” (26:14).
(v. 20) The testimony: This term (Hebrew ‘edut) refers to the stone tablets, written by God’s finger, that symbolized the covenant. They were also called “the tablets of the testimony” (31:18; 32:15; 34:29). Their place in the ark gave it the name “the ark of the testimony,” (v. 21) which was covered by the gold mercy seat (kapporet, “covering” or “place of atonement”) from which God would speak. Over the mercy seat, the gold cherubim spread their wings (25:21-22; Lev. 16:2; 2 Sam. 6:2). Placing the tablets in the ark emphasized that they were sacred and that God was guarding His covenant.
(v. 20) Attached the poles: It may seem shocking to see Moses handling holy objects. The poles attached to the ark highlight its holiness. Levites would need handles to move it without touching it (Ex. 25:14-15; Num. 4:5-6; 2 Sam. 6:6-7; 1 Kings 8:8; 1 Chron. 15:15). But Moses was clearly doing what “the Lord had commanded”
(v. 21). It also should be noted that God’s presence was not yet resting on the tabernacle (see v. 35).
(v. 21) Curtain for the screen: After moving the ark into the most holy place, Moses sealed it off by the curtain that would only be breached by the high priest once each year. Its counterpart in the Jerusalem temple was the thick curtain that was “torn in two from top to bottom” when Jesus died on the cross (Matt. 27:50-51).
EXPLORE THE TEXT
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).
(v. 34) Cloud: 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).
(v. 34) Glory of the Lord: 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.
(v. 35) Unable to enter: Moses could no longer enter the tent of meeting, where he had previously met with God (Ex. 33:7-11; 34:34-35). In His glory, the Lord had once summoned Moses to enter the cloud (24:16-18). Now, though, He would speak “from the tent of meeting” (Lev. 1:1).
Something about God’s presence had changed when His glory filled the tabernacle. His glory had become even more intense and overwhelming. Any future work in the tabernacle would only be possible when the cloud moved (see Ex. 40:36) or once the priests had met the requirements of holiness (Lev. 8-10; also 1 Kings 8:10-11).
Spend time praying Scripture using Exodus 40:34-35. Read the verses, then respond to these questions:
Acknowledge God’s awesome majesty and glory. Ask Him to help you recognize where He is at work in the world and to make you a reflection of His glory to those who need to see it.
During the session, invite adults to pray this Scripture, as well. You and the adults in your group can also take advantage of the Explore the Bible Prayer Guide. This QR code appears on page 72 of the Personal Study Guide.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
36 The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle throughout all the stages of their journey. 37 If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.
(v. 36) The cloud was taken up: As previously seen, the cloud of God’s presence not only led Israel’s way and appeared on Mount Sinai, but it also revealed His glory (Ex. 16:10). As before, the Lord led the way, and He determined their steps (13:21). His presence and glory continued to guide and direct His people just as He had promised.
(v. 36) The stages of their journey: The Lord would not leave or abandon Israel, and He would not fail to guide them. Later, He promised His protection and success to Joshua (Josh. 1:5). Jesus included this truth about God’s enduring presence in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). God’s call on our lives comes with a guarantee that He will be there each step of the way.
(v. 37) They did not set out: Israel’s assignment was simply to follow the Lord, always watching and listening to Him. They only moved when He moved. That was the key to reaching the promised land. The same is true of us. We are told to follow Jesus (Matt. 10:38; John 10:27; 21:19-22), and God’s children are identified as those who are “led by God’s Spirit” (Rom. 8:14).
(v. 38) Visible to the entire house of Israel: This was no hallucination or mere psychological experience. It happened, literally, “to the eyes” of all Israel. The fulfillment of God’s promise that Israel would view His glory (Ex. 16:7) happened when His glory moved into the tabernacle. Even at night, they were reminded of His presence through the fire within the cloud.
But as momentous and crucial as this event was, it only pointed to another event that would bring explosive change to the human experience. What God began in Eden and continued at Sinai, He is finishing through Jesus Christ. He came to dwell among humans, and they observed His glory (John 1:14,17). We will see His glory and live in His presence even more fully once He returns to judge the world and usher His people into their eternal blessing.
Jesus’s “glory” is the glory of God Himself. During His time on earth, Jesus revealed God’s glory through His miracles (John 2:11) and, ultimately, through His death and resurrection (7:39; 11:40; 12:23; 17:1,4). The place where God displayed His glory and where people could meet with and worship Him became Jesus, who replaced tabernacle and temple (2:19-21; Rev. 21:3).
Like a candle held up against the sun, all God’s glory proclaimed in the Old Testament paled in comparison to the glory seen in Jesus. Read and reflect on the following passages about the glory of Jesus. In a journal, record some thoughts about what each says about His glory and how it compares to God’s glory in Exodus:
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 99 of the Personal Study Guide:
Challenge adults to select an application point and share a brief testimony about when that statement was real to them.
Call for volunteers to respond to the first set of questions on page 99 of the PSG. Make a list of ways your church encourages individuals to minister to others and challenge them to find their own area of service if they haven’t already.
Encourage the group to read and reflect on the second set of questions on page 99 of the PSG. Urge them to identify and remove any obstacles to complete obedience to God.
Distribute copies of Pack Item 9 (Handout: Praying Scripture in Exodus and Leviticus). Lead adults to continue reflecting on Exodus 40:34-35 using the prompts on the handout. Close in prayer, asking God to reveal His glory through the lives of each adult this week.
Reinforce the session this week by texting or emailing everyone in the group. Include a reminder of the three summary statements and encourage adults to invite friends, family members, and neighbors to come with them to Bible study next week. Urge them to continue using Pack Item 9 (Handout: Praying Scripture in Exodus and Leviticus) to meditate on Exodus 40:34-35.
God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. (See 1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 6:1-5.)
Use Bible study tools to learn more about a key biblical concept.
Look up “glory” in a Bible dictionary to learn more about the glory of God. Use a concordance to find other places in Scripture where God’s glory is revealed. (Key passages: Ex. 33:18; Deut. 5:24-25; Ps. 19:1; Isa. 42:8; Luke 9:32; John 1:14; Rev. 21:22-23.) What is the glory of God? Where and when have you had breathtaking personal experiences of God’s presence and glory? Describe it and how you felt. In what way have these had a transforming effect on your life?