Exodus 40 “The Cloud Of The LORD “_

Exodus 40

“For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel." (v.38)

Once again we see the “cloud” by day and the “fire” at night signifying God’s presents with His people. While the cloud was visible over the tabernacle the son’s of Israel remained in their location and did not journey forward (v.38). However, once the cloud was “taken up”, the son’s of Israel would set out on a new location directed by God for His work (v.36).

Just as the children of Israel were looking for God’s direction in moving them forward, so we need to be sensitive to His Spirit in our lives moving us forward into a new direction as well. 

Pray, be open, and listen for that still small voice leading you in His direction and plan for your life. 

The Truth

“The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58:11) 

Exodus 39 “Moses Blessed The Workers”

“And Moses did look on all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.” (v.43)

Here Moses examined the tabernacle to see if it was completed “according to the pattern” shown him. Being satisfied, he expressed his own approval and God’s, by blessing those (through prayer) who had worked so faithfully. 

No wages were paid to the workers for this accomplishment. They worked for the pleasure of serving, along with the honor and comfort of God’s tabernacle among them. 

What service have you given to God? How have you shown Him your gratitude? Pray, listen, He will direct you to your work for Him.

The Truth: Those whom God employs He will bless, and those whom He blesses are blessed indeed.

Exodus 38 “The Accounting”

“This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.” (v.21)

By Moses’s appointment the Levites took and kept an account of the gold, silver, and brass, that was brought in for the use of the tabernacle, and how it was employed. Ithamar, the son of Aaron, was appointed to draw up this account.

As we give to God’s work in our churches today, there are those who are responsible for the collection, accounting, and distribution of those funds as well. Pray for them, as they have a great reckoning to answer for, both now and later.

The Truth: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10)

Exodus 37 “The Making of The Ark”

“And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it…” (v.1)

The ark, with its glorious workmanship, the mercy-seat and the cherubim, was the principal part of the furniture of the tabernacle. It was placed in the most sacred position of the house, and was the great symbol of the divine presence and protection. “It represented,” says Matthew Henry, “the glory of a holy God, the sincerity of a holy heart, and the communion that is between them by a Mediator.

It is a notion of some Jewish writers that the ark was made by Bezaleel, without the help of others. One could make a good case for this based on Exodus 31:1-5. Also, the particular maker of the various parts and contents of the tabernacle, is not mentioned elsewhere. Thus, this mentioning of Bezaleel is emphatic, and seems intended to mark the employment of the highest artistic skill on that which was the most precious of all objects connected with the new construction.

However, more importantly for us, it is the exactness of the workmanship, no matter who completed it. We too should be seeking to follow exactly, the influences of God’s direction in our lives through His Holy Spirit. Only then we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world.

The Truth: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)

Exodus 36 “We Have Enough”

 “So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”’ (vv.4-5)

Here the skilled workers had taken an estimate of what was to be done, and what was necessary to accomplish the task. They then advised Moses of it, so nothing more would be brought. 

It’s hard to say which is more amazing here, the great liberality of the people in contributing so freely and bountifully, and continuing to do so without being urged, or even asked; or the honesty of the workmen, who might have gone on to have received the gifts of the people by the hands of Moses, and converted it to their own use; but instead, they agreed to let Moses know to prevent the people from making any more contributions.

Either way you look at this, you would be hard pressed to find this kind of generosity and honesty today. 

The Truth

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Exodus 35 "A Freewill Offering"

 “Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying, ‘Take from among you a contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze, and blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goats’ hair, and rams’ skins dyed red, and porpoise skins, and acacia wood, and oil for lighting, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastplate.” (vv.4-9)

Here in our text, the Lord tells the children of Israel (who are of a willing heart) to bring as the Lord’s contributions the various items necessary for the construction of the Tabernacle and the priest’s apparel. Notice only those ‘of a willing heart’ were to bring the contributions that the Lord had commanded. This is an indication that whatever it is that we may do for the Lord or give to the Lord must also be done from the heart, and because we want to do it. The Lord would rather us not give than to give under compulsion. 

Giving is often just viewed as writing a check, but it is so much more than just money. Our lives are full of TIME that can be given freely to God’s work, along with our talents and skills. We see here in our text that both the Israelite women (v.25-26) and men (v.30-35) did just that. When one freely gives something, somehow the need to get something in return diminishes. Joy tends to grow as a result and you don't lose anything by giving. 

Jesus said in Luke 6:38, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap."Loosely translated, you can not our give God. He will not be in your debt. But when we do give, we are to give freely.

The Truth: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Exodus 34 "The Covenant Renewal"

“And the LORD said to Moses, Hew you two tables of stone like to the first: and I will write on these tables the words that were in the first tables, which you broke. So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain. And no man shall come up with you, and let no man be seen throughout all the mountain; let neither flocks nor herds feed before that mountain.” So he cut two tablets of stone like the first ones. Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him; and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.” (vv.1-4)

Here Moses (in his old age) is summoned once more to the top of Mt. Sinai, where the Law is to be delivered afresh to him. He is ordered to bring with him two tables of stone like the former ones which he broke because Israel broke the covenant. However, before the covenant could be formally reestablished, before Israel could be replaced in the position forfeited by the idolatry of the golden calf, it was necessary that the conditions (on which God consented to establish His covenant with them) be renewed (vv.12-26). 

This second set of tablets was to do just that. Hewn by the hand of Moses, it would remind both him and the people of the hardness of their hearts and of their loss through it (not having the law on tables of stone written by the finger of God), but instead the work of man. These tablets we eventually placed into the ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 10:5).

This reminds us all that something is always lost by sin....even when it is forgiven. 

The Truth: And He said: “Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.” (Exodus 34:10) 

Exodus 33 "Face to Face"

“The Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaks to a friend.” (v.11a)

God revealed himself to Moses with greater clearness and with expressions of particular kindness, more than to any other of His prophets. He spoke to him not as a prince to a subject, but as a man to his friend, whom he loves, and with whom he takes sweet counsel. Not that God had a face or mouth, that Moses could see (which was denied him in Exodus 33:20), even still He spoke with him directly and not as He did to other prophets, in dreams, or visions, or by an angel.

Would you like to speak to God, face to face? A part of us might be afraid of such an encounter, but another part wants that relationship. Why? because you and I need His perspective, His thoughts, His presents in our lives if we are to become more like Moses and boldly go before the Lord in prayer.

There are good reasons why we don't see the invisible God. We are so sinful (even when we think we're not), and He is so holy, so pure, that we would not survive the experience. When we're ready (which is likely not until eternity), we will see Him face to face. Until then, TRUST in the Lord, seek Him, know that He hears you and answers prayer.

Moses never had enough of the Lord—he always wanted more (v.18). We should always want more of the Lord as well, who is limitless in what He is and what He has in store for us. 

The Truth: “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

Exodus 32 “Moses Intercedes For Israel”

“And the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do to His people.” (V.14)

We see in this verse that the intercession of Moses earlier (v.11-13) was effectual. In answer to the prayers of Moses, God showed His purpose of sparing the people (as He had before seemed determined on their destruction). This change in the outward appearance of His purpose is called in our text, repenting of the evil.

Scripture tells us that, “God is not a man that He should repent” (Numbers 23:19), and that “He knows the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). So when He threatened to destroy Israel, God knew that He would spare them; but, as God communicated to Moses His anger, and then (at a later period), His intention to spare them, He is said here to have "repented." Not so. This is just a beautiful example of how God works to align our hearts with His. 

Just as God moved Moses to intercede for Israel then, so His Spirit works in our hearts to call on His Son, Jesus, who makes intercession for us to God today. 

We can’t change the mind of God, His ways are above our ways and we are not His counselor. However, we can pray for His will and be in agreement with His ultimate will, knowing Jesus will intercede for us.

The Truth “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

Exodus 31 "God's Gifting Through His Spirit"

"Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship.'" (vv.1-5)

Here in chapter 31 the Lord points out to Moses the men that He has called and appointed to make the various designs for the Tabernacle (vv.1-11). These verses tell us that the "natural" skills, abilities and talents possessed by otherwise ordinary people, are gifts from God. Even though the persons themselves may not understand, "natural" gifts are generated through His Holy Spirit. Oh we can misuse them, but they are gifts from Him none-the-less.

I have no artistic ability whatsoever but both of my children are extremely talented, one an artist and the other a musician. There is no doubt in my mind these gifts were given to them by God. Yes they both work hard at their individual crafts but I could work 8 hours a day 7 days a week and never come close to their abilities. Why, because I was not gifted in that way. 

Our talents, given to us by God, are for purposes infinitely higher than our own. Find yours, use it for Him, and give thanks to the One who blessed you with it. 

The Truth: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14)

Exodus 30 “The Alter of Incense”

"Moreover, you shall make an altar as a place for burning incense; you shall make it of acacia wood.” (v.1) “And thou shall put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.” (v.6)

Incense in Scripture is always a picture of prayer. Here in verse 1 we see that incense was to be burned on the altar because prayer requires sacrifice. When we take the time to pray and intercede for others to God through Christ, our prayers rise as sweet smelling incense to Him. David prayed in Psalm 141:2, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

Verse 6 describes the exact location where the altar was to be placed and there God would meet with the priest. While this applied to Levite priests in that time under the law, you and I (as His children) can meet with God through His Son at any time and in any place. 

And be assured, those prayers will rise to Him. 

The Truth: “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.” (Revelation 8:3-4)

Exodus 29 "Consecration Of The Priests"

Here in chapter 29 we see the requirements for the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests is given to Moses by God.  Moses was to ‘take one young bull and two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread and unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and make them of fine wheat flour.’ Then, take Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and ‘wash them in water.’  Next, he was to take the high priestly garments and put them on Aaron, ‘take the anointing oil and pour it on his head’ anointing him. Then Moses is to bring Aaron’s sons and put their priestly clothing on them.  Thus, Moses was to ordain Aaron and his sons for the priesthood (vv.1-9).

God then commanded Moses to take the bull before the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons were to lay their hands on it. He then slaughter the bull and put some of the blood on the ‘horns of the altar’ with his finger, and the remaining blood he was to pour at the base of the altar. The bull became a ‘sin offering’ and was completely consumed in fire. The fat was to be burned on the altar and the hide, flesh, and refuse is to be burned outside the camp (vv.10-25). 

After the heave offering was made as commanded by God (vv.26-28), He tells Moses that the holy garments are to be worn for seven days by one of Aaron’s sons when he enters the tent of meeting to minister, and that he shall take a ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place and Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram (vv.29-34). The ordination was to last seven days with a another bull offered each day as a sin offering and to purify the altar and consecrate (vv.35-37).

Next God gave a commandment for the continual twice daily offering of the Tabernacle (vv.38-42). Day after day, the Tabernacle altar is to have a morning and a twilight offering of a one year old lamb.  Likewise, there shall be a tenth of a ephah (bushel)  of fine flour mixed with a fourth of a hin (5.5 quarts) of beaten oil and a fourth of a hin (5.5 quarts) of wine for a drink offering with one lamb. This offering is to be completed daily throughout their generations, and it is to be made at the doorway of the tent of meeting before the Lord, where He will meet with them and speak to them.

Finally, God Moses that by these things He will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar, as well as Aaron and his son as priests, and that He will dwell among the sons of Israel and be their God (vv.43-46). 

Thanks be to God that we are under the new covenant, and blood sacrifices are no long needed to come near to God. Christ, the reality behind all these sacrifices, died for you and me. His shed blood (poured out at the base of the cross) cleansed us from all sin and replaced the need for any other sacrifices to be made. He has been ordained by God as our High Priest and now sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us day and night. 

The Truth: “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:11-14)

Exodus 28 "The High Priest"

"Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.” (vv.1-2)

Here in our text we get a look at the priesthood. The priesthood of Israel was not earned by effort nor aspired to by ambition. It could only be inherited by birthright. One must be born into a priestly family. It was no place for ambition or self-glory. It was only entered into by God’s call and invitation. In the New Covenant, our priesthood is also not earned nor aspired to. We are priests because of our new birth into Jesus’ priestly family (1 Peter 2:5).

We are told in our text that, the priestly garments were made for "glory and for beauty" (v.2). Since there was something glorious and beautiful about the priestly service, it was appropriate to make the garments glorious and beautiful. Interestingly enough, God spoke of a special gifting of wisdom from the Holy Spirit given to the craftsmen of these garments for Aaron (v.3), that Aaron may in turn be suited to "minister to Me (God)" (v.4). The garments are listed in verse 4 and each of them will be described in greater detail in the remainder of the chapter. 

An interesting parallel here is that, just as Aaron (and his family) was selected to perform the duties of high priest before the Lord in the temple under the Mosaic Law, so God selected His Son Jesus Christ to be our great high priest and intercede for us before His throne in heaven under the new covenant of the blood of Jesus Christ. 

You and I also have a role to play in this as well. The Bible says in I Peter 2:9 (written to ALL believers), “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you." Therefore, if you trust in the Lord you are His priest, a representative of Him in your daily life before a lost world. So praise Him, give Glory to Him, Worship Him, our Great and Awesome High Priest, who sits at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for us.  

The Truth: “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.” (Hebrews 8:1-2)

Exodus 27 “The Alter”

Here in Chapter 27, we step out of the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and into the Tabernacle Courtyard. This is where the people would bring their sacrifices to the priests to be placed upon the altar for the remission of their sins. And according to the law (old covenant) almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).

Today we have no need to bring an animal to an altar, for we have a new covenant through Jesus Christ. His ultimate sacrifice upon the cross, made that possible for all mankind. 

The Truth:

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)

Exodus 26 "A Place of Beauty"

Here in chapter 26 we are going to look at the construction of the curtains for the Tabernacle (vv.1-13), the covering for the tent (v.14), the boards for building the Tabernacle (vv.15-30), the veil to separate the Most Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, to serve as a partition (vv.31-33). The Lord even commands Moses as to where to put the furniture for the Tabernacle, and how to construct the veil on the entrance into the Tabernacle (vv.34-37). Even the fittings, hooks, rings, sockets, material and colors to be used were all laid out here for Moses to follow to complete this place of beauty.

Not only did our LORD give great attention to every detail in the construction of His tabernacle, He also gave the same attention to detail in His construction of us. The LORD sees you and I as His workmanship. He is chipping away at us constantly forming and shaping us into what He would have us to be. We are the clay in the hands of the Master Craftsman who will make us into a thing of beauty if we will just submit to His Lordship in our lives.  

The Truth: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Exodus 25 "Follow His Lead"

 “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. According to all I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.” (vv.8-9)

The word Sanctuary means 'holy' place or 'the place set apart.' Everything about the tabernacle was holy. It is the same word used in 1 and 2 Chronicle to refer to the temple. This first representation of God’s dwelling place would be a tabernacle – a tent – and not a permanent structure. The purpose of the tabernacle was to be the dwelling place of God. The idea was not that God exclusively lived in that place, but that it was the specific place where men could come and meet God. F.B. Meyer describes the idea of a tent for God this way, “The Hebrews were meant to feel that the God of their fathers was a fellow-pilgrim, that where they pitched their tents He pitched, and that their enemies, difficulties, and long toilsome marches were His as well.” 

We see here in our text that God tells Moses to construct Him a tabernacle, "According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings." He later gives Moses explicit instructions, a plan, a design, a pattern, for the construction of it and each object to be found within - and Moses was to follow that plan. The pattern of the tabernacle was according to a heavenly reality. It was a copy and shadow of the heavenly things (Hebrews 8:5). Therefore, it had to be made according to exact dimensions, being somewhat of a “scale model” of the area around God’s throne in heaven.

However, in verses immediately following our text (vv.10-16) instead of giving Moses instructions on building the tabernacle, the LORD gives Moses instructions on the building of the ark for the tabernacle, its mercy seat, the cherubim, the table for the showbread, and the Menora. All this, along with the dishes, pans, jars, and bowls (which were to be made of pure gold), were to be completed before the tabernacle was erected. This tells us (and Moses), that the order of the construction is significant. That the Ark of the Covenant is the most important part of the Tabernacle, for the mercy seat of the Ark is the place where the Lord dwelt and also the place where the blood for the atonement of sin was placed.   

God wants to dwell among us. He has set His throne of mercy before us that we might lay down our burden of sin upon it (Him), to receive (through the blood of Christ) forgiveness and fellowship with Christ. Therefore, we need to draw close to Him, feed upon His Word, and allow Him to be sufficient for all our needs. This the most important work we could ever be engaged in.  

The Truth: “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)