Exodus 40:34-35 – With all the growing anticipation of meeting with God after the tabernacle’s completion, God’s glory was so intense that Moses was surprisingly unable to enter. This blockade reminded the people of the great chasm between them and God that only the coming Messiah could rectify.
Observations
- The entire narrative of Exodus has led toward the climactic moment of God restoring His people into His presence (Exod. 3:8; 40:33).
- God’s glory descending upon the tabernacle (Exod. 40:34) provided affirmation that the people finished His assignments (Exod. 39:42-43).
- While Moses knew God better than anyone (Exod. 33:11; Deut. 34:10), there was still a protective limit to his proximity (Exod. 33:20).
- The shocking cliffhanger of Exodus is that God barred Moses from coming near the tent he had established (Exod. 40:35).
- The life of Moses concluded without his reaching the Promised Land (Deut. 34:4) or fully beholding the presence of God (Deut. 32:20).
Applications
- What was inaccessible at Sinai became undeniable in Bethlehem.
- Jesus, the glory of God, came down from heaven and tabernacled among us (John 1:14).
- The unlikely shepherds experienced a heavenly announcement bidding them to see heaven’s glory (Luke 2:14-15, 20).
- Awaiting the Messiah, Simeon beheld baby Jesus and knew he had seen God’s salvation (Luke 2:30).
- The wise men’s only appropriate response once they saw young Jesus was to worship (Matt. 2:11).
- When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared Him to be the Lamb of God sent to take our sins away (John 1:29).
- Jesus’ disciples saw Him transfigured among an overshadowing cloud and beside some affirming witnesses – Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:28-36).
- By faith, you too can reach the Promised Land and fully behold the presence of God.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
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