Exodus 40:34-38 The Lord’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle
34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.
36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38 The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.
After all the work on the Tabernacle and its furnishings and the garments for the priests was complete, Moses and a large group of helpers set up everything according to God’s instructions. You can read all the details in the first part of Chapter 40. But then something astounding happened. Just as Moses completed the setup and walked out of the Tabernacle courtyard, he could feel heat radiating against his back. The cloud of God’s glory covered the Tabernacle and His glory filled the Tabernacle, making it impossible for anyone to enter. Awe-struck and stunned, the Israelites prostrated themselves, overcome by a sense of their own shame in the light of God’s holiness.
For all the remaining years of the Israelites’ pilgrimage, God’s glory would lead them and guide them. When God wanted the Israelites to move, the cloud of His glory would lift so that the priests and their helpers could pack up the Tabernacle for transport. Then the cloud would begin to move with the Israelites following.
What must it have been like for those people having to trust God completely for direction? Imagine the conversations back in the tents. “Eh, Solomon, so how long are we going to be in this place? We’ve been in some grim places, but this one has them all beat. And is there even water in this place? Will the manna continue?”
“Miriam, why ask me? Am I God? Does God tell me His plans? Even if you ask Moses, he can’t tell you! Just make the best of this situation, will you?”
Nobody likes uncertainty! We want security, financial guarantees, a safe place to live, work that will furnish our families’ needs, good health, and enough income to live comfortably. While the Israelites were in Egypt, they were slaves; however, they knew what was expected of them and they had adjusted to a situation where someone else was making all the big decisions while they simply followed orders and hoped their bosses wouldn’t be cruel. But now the Israelites are in the Sinai desert and nothing is certain, apart from the cloud of God’s glory that hovers over the Tabernacle.
“What a kvetchy kid!” I was working in a hospital in Manhattan, and one of our nurses was describing a difficult patient. But what did that nurse mean? There’s a delightful term in Yiddish, kvetch. According to Chabad.org, “Kvetch literally means “squeeze” in Yiddish, and commonly refers to whining, complaining, and grousing. A person who kvetches incessantly can also be referred to as a kvetch.” When that nurse described the pediatric patient as kvetchy, she was absolutely correct. While other children suffered valiantly in silence, this kid complained about EVERYTHING! Looking back, I realize those complaints likely came from intense fear; after all, this child was a cancer patient and who knows what his parents had told him?
Kvetching is as ancient as the human race. Already, Moses has had to counter bitter complaints about food and water, so as the cloud of God’s glory moves across the landscape, he can probably hear the Israelites indulging in their favorite pastime-kvetching.
Think about this situation. Once the Israelites have left Egypt, they must depend on God for guidance for the next forty years. Each morning when people awake, everyone looks toward the Tabernacle in the center of the camp. Where is the cloud? Is the cloud hovering over the Tabernacle, or is it withdrawing so the Tabernacle can be packed up and the Israelites can move somewhere new? No matter how much the Israelites might want to complain, they really have no choice, for they must follow God’s leading.
Whether or not we realize it, we are in the same position as those ancient Israelites. No matter how much we long for security and safety, we can only find these things while following God’s guidance. If we want to see God’s glory working in our lives, we must follow the cloud of His Presence.
Centuries after Moses and the Israelites, Martin Luther found himself leading a movement that challenged abuses that had developed within the Catholic Church. Branded as a criminal, Luther was hunted and persecuted; yet, he persevered and others followed, lighting spiritual fires that set ablaze hearts hungering for God’s glory.
Luther penned these words:
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name, From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please help all who read these words to become so hungry for Your Presence that they will seek Your face. Please answer them when they cry out to You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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