And so we come to Exodus’ end. It’s always good to watch how a Bible book closes! This is how Exodus climaxes: `Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.` And as long as God’s glory stayed where it was, Israel did too; when it moved, they moved (vv36-38).
Passover, Red Sea, ten commandments: this is what it was all for, the climax and consummation of it all. Most of the book’s last third have been about building a tabernacle to fulfil God’s deep (and astonishing) heart-desire: `I brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them!’ (29:46). Now God’s purpose is fulfilled: not just forgiveness or salvation, but to live with us: love, relationship, companionship. An incredible destiny: never seen before in the history of humanity.
This will be the heart of much more of the old testament. Joshua, Judges, and Samuel lead us to the point where Solomon completes the `house of God’ and God’s glory falls again (1 Kings 8:11). And it is from God’s `house’ that His blessing flows out into the world (1 Kings 8, Ezekiel 47). This is what God wanted! What is there for us in all this? Surely, that the goal of our salvation is that `we are His house’ (Heb 3:6), `built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit’ (Eph 2:22, cf 1 Cor 6:19-20, 1 Peter 2:5). What God wants is a people to intimately dwell among, love and enjoy, as His house.
So we want that; and we want the glory of God! What do we learn here about how it comes?
First, if we want God’s glory there has to be obedience – doing things God’s way. It’s always good to look out for what Scripture chooses to repeat, and 18 times in chapters 39 and 40 we read that everything was done `as the Lord commanded Moses`. God will not come with His glory where His Word isn’t sought out and obeyed. The way to God’s glory is doing things His way, in a serious, rather than casual, search for holiness. Does that mark you and I?
Then again, this is not about legalism, it’s about generosity, the generous way that the Israelites gave so that the tabernacle could be built (35:5, 21-22, 26,29, 36:2-7). It’s sad to read that some of them left it too late (36:6). This is not about heaven and hell, this is about the sorrow of not being able to contribute to God’s glory. When I get to heaven it will be too late for the sacrifices of love for Jesus. (When I retire I’ll give to Jesus; when my career’s established; when I get my degree; when I’m married?? But we won’t, of course; not if we establish the habit of idolatry, of saying `Not yet God` (which is actually saying `No, God`).) These choices of what we give our time, our money, energy to, show our deepest heart. So some of the Israelites had excluded themselves: they held on to their treasure, and so had no stake in the tabernacle. It reminds me of the “waste” of Mary pouring out a year’s salary’s worth of perfume on Jesus’ feet at Bethany; I’ve asked myself, does that characterize me?
So now the huge enterprise of the tabernacle’s construction is complete. There’s a proud moment of joyous creativity in 39:32-43 where the workmen show Moses what they’ve done. (One day we too will have this with God!) And Moses sets it all up. And God’s glory comes down out of heaven…
What’s the parallel for us? Where is God’s house now? It’s us! (1 Tim 3, 1 Cor 6.) What would it mean for the glory to fill God’s house today? For He’s the same God!
Two answers. First, imagine, like in Exodus, dazzling light, and overwhelming, loving power. I long for that experience, direct experience, of God; not just living by faith now, but seeing the glory and the power, being swept away by the glory of God, visible at last. It’s no light thing; one step further and no human being can survive (Ex 33:18-20), and right here Moses couldn’t enter the tabernacle, despite all his labours and holiness; in the end, all that is human is simply dwarfed. Isaiah’s question comes to mind: `Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?` But actually, since we were born again, there is something in us that can – and indeed it’s all that will survive our death. One day, Revelation tells us, we will share His presence, indeed His throne! But first, here, 40:35, we’re learning this is not a God you play games with or trifle with. Grasp this; imagine that dazzling glory. One day we’re going to be swept into it – or it’s going to sweep into us. A wonderful thing!; a very serious thing….
But let’s remember too: this revelation of God’s overwhelming, unbearable glory isn’t the ultimate revelation of His nature. The ultimate revelation, `the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being` (Heb 1) – is Jesus! `The Word became flesh and made His dwelling [literally, tabernacled] among us. We have seen His glory… full of grace and truth` (John 1). To see God’s glory is to really see, really grasp, Jesus’ goodness, His grace, His love, compassion, generosity. In Exodus, God’s response to Moses’ plea to see His glory was (briefly) to reveal His nature (33:18-19 > 34:5,6,7); and it’s as we go further still and really grasp the glory of Jesus’ nature, that we’re seeing the ultimate glory of God. 2 Corinthians 3 compares Moses’ face, shining from being with God, to us reading the Bible, and this is why.
So yes, God’s glory is expressed in dazzling power and glory, like a supernova; but also in the dazzling glory and beauty of Christ’s character, His love, His goodness. Our culture separates these, but in the God who really exists, physical glory and moral glory are utterly inseparable. Everything worthy of wonder in our universe converges on God. He alone is utterly glorious and utterly worthy of praise!…
And let’s note: the descent of God’s glory in Exodus 40:34-35 is not quite the end. In the book’s last three verses we learn that God fills His house for a journey on through the wilderness. And this journey will finish outside Exodus; because we today are His house, the temple of His Spirit; there’s more still to come even now, but the glory of the Spirit is in us (Rom 8:30). And if we want to grasp what it means to be God’s house where He dwells, read the wonderful Ezekiel 47: where again, after detailed instructions, God’s temple is established, His glory fills it (43:5), and a river of living water flows out of it into the desert, bringing life to the dead lands. (Everything lives where the river comes, 47:9!)
We are God’s house, and that river flows out from us (John 7:38); wherever we go (street, job), the Spirit goes, the Spirit’s love, joy, peace, flow out from the `house` where God’s glory dwells. This is our incredible destiny and privilege. (May God make us worthy of it!) The whole purpose of Exodus, of saving deliverance and baptism and the training journey through the wilderness, was that God might dwell with His people as His house, His companions, His friends; and then life can flow out through them. In the new testament it’s been fulfilled. Lord, please help us live in obedient holiness and devotion, so that Your glory can dwell among us and Your life flow out through us; so that we can be those to whom and through whom Your glory can come!
