FEBRUARY 28, 2026 – THE GLORY OF THE LORD

READ: Ex. 40:1–38: … “On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting … So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle … Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.”

In the final chapters of Exodus it is described how everything is made exactly according to God’s instruction. The repeated expression “as the LORD had commanded Moses” emphasizes this.

When God’s sanctuary is completed, something wondrous happens: a cloud, symbolizing God’s presence, covers the tabernacle and is visible to all.

The LORD comes to dwell among His people—visibly. The cloud that formerly rested on the mountain now rests upon the tent, in the midst of God’s people.

God also goes with His people when they travel, visible in the pillar of cloud. All of this is a great comfort to Israel, but also a strong exhortation to live holy lives according to His laws within the covenant fellowship with the LORD.

The glory of the LORD enters the tabernacle. God enthrones Himself between the cherubim in the Most Holy Place. Even now Moses may not see God’s face, His glory (v.35; cf. Ex. 33:18–22).

Something similar is recorded in 1 Kin. 8:10–11 after the construction of the temple. Ezekiel also sees in a vision of the future, a perfect temple that is filled with the glory of the LORD.

God also dwells among His people today. This will be perfect in the New Jerusalem (Rev.21:22), where God Himself and the Lamb are the temple.

Do you long for the glory of the new heaven and the new earth (cf. Rom. 8:21)?
Sing: Ps. 33:1,6