Feb 5 2009 Ex 39-40, Ps 15, Acts 12

Scripture
And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:33-34

Observation
The purpose of the tabernacle was so that God could dwell among His people. The Bible says that no man can see God with human eyes and live. The glory of God is an interesting study in the Bible, mentioned nearly 400 times, but none more interesting than here in our text.

The glory of God was manifested in a cloud, which the people could see and follow. God’s visible presence would descend upon the tabernacle in the Holy of Holies above the mercy seat, and the glory of God filled that place.

Application
When did the glory come? Verse 34 starts with the word “then”. What happened just before this? Look at the last five words of the previous verse...”‘So Moses finished the work.” Seven times in verses 17-32, the scriptures say, “As the Lord commanded Moses”. It was when Moses, through obedience, had finished his work that God was finally on display in the tabernacle.

I cannot help but think about what this means in light of what the New Testament teaches concerning God’s temple…you and me. I sense what God is saying is that His glory will come upon you and me as well, when we are obedient to display Him in our lives.

Look around the church and these people stand out. I am not talking about those who may ‘”try” to stand out, but those with whom it just happens naturally, or should I say, supernaturally.

When does the glory come? When we obey and display the Lord.

Prayer
Father, my prayer is that Your glory will come in my life. May the glory of the Lord fill this temple!