Scripture Daily

Context No. 2829 of 4322 · Exodus

Context · Reflection

Exodus 40:33-38: in context

33He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. 34Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the LORD’s glory filled the tabernacle. 35Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and the LORD’s glory filled the tabernacle. 36When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys; 37but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up. 38For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Exodus ends with Moses finishing the tabernacle exactly as commanded. And the moment the work is complete, the cloud covers the tent and the glory of the LORD fills it, so fully that Moses himself cannot enter. From then on, the cloud governs the whole journey: when it lifted, Israel set out; when it stayed, they stayed. By day the cloud, by night fire in it, in the sight of all the people, through all their travels.

Two things close the book. When the work of obedience is finished, God fills it with a presence so overwhelming that even Moses must stand back. And from that point on, the people move only when God moves. Their entire journey is timed to the cloud, not to their own plans or impatience. God's presence is at once the goal of the work they have just completed and the guide for every step of the road still ahead.

Do I move at the pace of the cloud, waiting when God waits and going when he goes, or set my own schedule and ask him to bless it?

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