Exodus

Exodus 40: God’s glory fills His dwelling

Begin in prayer

Before God’s glory fills the finished dwelling, let us thank Him for bringing the enslaved people into His presence. Ask Him to show us the greater fellowship Christ gives and to teach us to follow His leading.

let them praise Yahweh’s name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.

Psalm 148:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us see the holiness and grace of Your presence. Bring us to Jesus, whose saving work gives His people lasting fellowship with You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God commands the tabernacle to be raised on the first day of the first month. Moses sets up its frame and coverings, places the testimony in the ark and screens it with the veil. He arranges the table, bread, lamps, incense altar, burnt offering altar, basin and court according to God’s command. Aaron and his sons are to be washed, clothed and anointed, and the priests wash their hands and feet before service. When Moses finishes the work, the cloud covers the tent and the LORD’s glory fills the tabernacle so he cannot enter. Throughout the journeys, Israel moves when the cloud rises and waits when it remains, with fire visible by night.

As you read Exodus 40, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God’s glory fills His dwelling and His presence leads His people.

The first day of the second year brings the promised dwelling into use. Moses arranges the tent, furniture and court in the order God has given, with the testimony inside the ark and its mercy seat above. The veil screens the ark, while bread, lamps and incense are placed for the holy service. Anointing and priestly washing belong to the same command, setting apart place and servants for the LORD. The repeated report of obedience prepares for something no craftsman can supply. God Himself covers the tent with cloud and fills it with His glory. Even Moses cannot enter while that glory rests there, so the finished work never makes God ordinary. The cloud and fire then govern every departure and every wait through Israel’s journeys. The book began with bondage and ends with God’s presence, a purpose fulfilled in Christ and completed in everlasting fellowship.

How does Exodus 40 show us that God’s glory fills His dwelling and His presence leads His people?

God’s word governs the completed dwelling and its service.

Moses raises it on the appointed day and places each piece where God commanded. The testimony goes inside the ark, behind the veil. The priests' washing and the sacrifices belong to His appointed approach.

God fills the place His people could only prepare.

The cloud covers the tent and His glory fills it. Moses cannot enter because of that holy presence. The gift is God’s own action, showing that even complete craftsmanship cannot create fellowship with Him.

God’s presence leads His people through every journey.

The cloud’s rising tells Israel to move, and its remaining tells them to wait. Fire is visible in the cloud by night. The Lord who redeemed them stays with them, and Jesus promises His presence to His disciples (Matthew 28 verse 20).

Memorise

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:34

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I seeking as a substitute for knowing God through Jesus?

Moses finishes the work, and “Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.” The man who arranged the dwelling cannot enter beneath that glory. God has come among His people with a holiness they must never treat lightly.

John tells us the Word became flesh and lived among us, and His people saw His glory (John 1 verse 14). Our sin deserves exclusion, yet Jesus died for His people and bore their guilt at the cross. He rose to life with the work of reconciliation fully accomplished. His sacrifice is enough to bring the guilty near and keep them in peace with God.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Those who receive Him in faith have forgiveness and the hope of dwelling with God forever. Come to the Savior who leads His people and will complete their journey. His presence is the lasting hope of all who belong to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God filled His dwelling with glory, and that Jesus died and rose to bring His people into fellowship. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for filling His dwelling with glory and guiding His redeemed people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew 28:20

God of glory, thank You for bringing Israel from bondage into Your presence. Thank You for Jesus, who brings guilty sinners near through His blood. Please turn our hearts to trust Him. Teach our family to follow Your Word, wait on Your wisdom and seek fellowship with You. Amen.