The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle
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Exodus 40:1-38, Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 3:16-17, Acts 2:1-4
BY Patti Sauls
My 5-year stint in New York City had a rhythm of its own. Even grocery shopping was unique. Instead of weekly suburban drives to load up my cart, I made daily walks to local shops, only buying what I could carry home. One market, called Garden of Eden, enticed me every time I walked by its beautiful outdoor produce stands. The neat rows of apples, nectarines, peppers, and plums begged me to take a bite, to taste Eden.
Eden was where heaven touched earth, where God dwelt and communed with His people. The nation of Israel yearned for a taste of Eden. God delivered them from slavery, but would He continue leading them in pillars of cloud and fire as He had when they fled Egypt (Exodus 13:22)? Would God remain faithful when they failed to be faithful to Him? (Remember the golden calf fiasco in Exodus 32.) After a year of wilderness living, Moses completed construction of a special dwelling in the center of the nation. It was an elaborate tabernacle inside of a tent. The people hoped it would be a sacred space, where heaven would touch earth, where God would remain with His people.
On the first anniversary of their deliverance, the people held their breath. The tabernacle was set up and anointed; the priests were prepared, all was made ready and right for God. But would He move in? The book of Exodus culminates at this moment.
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
—Exodus 40:34
Yes! The glory of God—His presence, essence, wonder, and weight – moved in and encamped with His people. Israel got a taste of Eden. When the cloud lifted, they would break camp and follow. When it settled, they would remain (Exodus 40:38). The tabernacle was a temple on the move according to God’s will. And the people followed.
Don’t we all want a taste of Eden? We long for God’s presence in the center of our lives and communities. If only we had a divine cloud and fire to follow. But we do! God recreated this “move-in day event” after Jesus rose from the dead. Again, God arrived through wind and fire. And this time, He encamped even closer to His people.
Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven….They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…
—Acts 2:2–4
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection made the way for God to not only dwell among His people, but to dwell within them through the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ made us ready and right, and God moved in. We, along with all believers across time and place, are His temple on the move. God’s home is His people.
God filling His tabernacle foreshadows Him filling our hearts. Heaven touches earth as God dwells within us. “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8).
29 thoughts on "The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle"
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My favorite study in 3 years – and I enjoy most of them. But this one….so good. Exodus is now my favorite OT book. Gods pursuit of His people is so beautiful. Thanks SRT for the beautiful studies of this eternal love story!
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I have
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“Heaven touches earth as God dwells within us” So good!! ❤️
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Patti’s devotion was inspiring. I’m late in writing this because I stayed with my sister and it’s a good thing I did. She fell earlier and is just really out of it. I have to work tonight and I’m already worn out. I’m so frustrated.
Be blessed and know God is with you ALWAYS. -
This was so wonderful. Every morning when I wake up, my hearts beats faster because I could hardly wait to taste the Manna from Heaven, which is His Word ( this past few weeks the Book Exodus). After all the hard work, the ups and downs, the spiritual and personal defeats, the tabernacle is done and ready For God. He delivered them ( and us!) and He wanted to dwell among them ( and in us!) No other gift! I stand amazed. God is very good.
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Praise God that He is relational and abiding! All praise and glory to Him!
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Wow, SO good! Thank you SRT for a wonderful study, and loved the insights per usual. Especially the one of looking to GOD EACH morning to see what He has for us each day! Moving as He guides!! So simple, yet profound and what we should know, but still want to lead our own way! I look back and see how doing that led me astray for so long, to a place where I finally hit my knees knowing that I couldn’t do it anymore. Needless to say since then my life has been beautiful and I am filled with His GLORY! It may not always shine as brightly as I like, but I give my weaknesses to His perfection, and I grow daily, as I am in the Word, in prayer, and planting seeds with my hands and feet.
Praying for each of you! I pray Lord, as we go to feed the hungry tonight, that your glory will shine on all of us there, and work in the hearts of the people! You want them to come to you heavenly Father, may I speak words of faith, and boast of your good works and faithfulness. In Jesus name.
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