Chapter 40 describes the erection of the tabernacle. Moses in turn set up the tabernacle according to God's directions (Exodus 40:1-15 ), in perfect obedience (Exodus 40:16-19 ), brought in the ark (Exodus 40:20,21 ), placed the furniture (Exodus 40:22-26 ), presented the prescribed offerings and ritual (Exodus 40:27-33 ). And so finished the work. God blessed him and the people with His manifest presence. The completed place of meeting was filled with the glory of the Lord (Exodus 40:34-35 ). So great was the splendour of God's presence that Moses was not able to enter to minister. We reach the closing verses of the book of redemption - Exodus ends in a blaze of glory. The cloud of glory remained as permanent guide (Exodus 40:36-38 ).

How much greater is the experience of believers washed in the blood of the Lamb by faith. We experience the indwelling Christ (Ephesians 3:17 ), and the fulness of His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 ), and the splendour and wonder of the glory beyond that of the blaze of glory that concludes Exodus. We may be filled with all the fulness of God (Ephesians 3:19 ). The grand, glorious sum total of all that God is. There is no glory conceivable beyond the fulness of God.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Who described where each piece of furniture of the tabernacle should be placed (Exodus 40:1- 8 )?

2. What does the repeated instruction for the anointing of the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the high priest and his sons, say to you concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Exodus 40:9-17 )?

3. What did the setting up of the completed tabernacle say about the servanthood of Moses (Exodus 40:33 )?
   • Was there special significance for Israel in the tabernacle being set up in the midst of the camp?
   • Was the movable sanctuary in stark contrast with the temples of the pagan nations around them?
   • Did it speak of the continual presence of God and of Israel's going with God?

4. When God filled the meeting place with His glory, how was the service of Moses affected (Exodus 40:34-35 )?
   • Should you expect special manifestations of the Lord's presence?
   • While the glory cloud became the continual guide to Israel, what is your privilege as a believer?
   • Do you push on your way where the Lord is not leading (Exodus 40:34-38 )?

5. Do you pray for yourself and others to be filled "with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19 )?
   • Do you accept that it means to be filled with His love, glory, power?
   • What else?
   • Do these closing verses of Exodus teach you that "form" in worship is not sufficient in itself, that what is needed is the manifested presence of God?
   • Do you hunger for more of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit among the gathering of the Lord's people (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 )?

   

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