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The close of the book of Exodus is worthy of the greatness of its subject. It ends where the history of the world will end, with the descent of Jehovah's glory to dwell with men (Revelation 21:3). We have seen Israel in bondage; have beheld its redemption; have followed it through the wilderness; have heard the thunders of the law at Sinai; have been witnesses of the nation's covenant with God; have seen its shameful apostasy; have traced the steps of its reconciliation; have heard the instructions given for the building of this tabernacle; have viewed the tabernacle itself. We see now the symbol of Jehovah's glorious presence in the midst of the people whom he has thus in so many ways made his own. What a wondrous succession of subjects we have thus had before us in the course of our review. The intolerable anguish of oppressed Israel; the birth of the deliverer; the singular providence of his early life; his great choice; the call in Midian; the revelation of the name; the return to Egypt; first failures; the long and tragic contest with Pharaoh; the hardening of Pharaoh's heart; the exodus; the Red Sea; the miracles of the desert; the law; the covenant; the "patterns" shown to Moses in the mount; the sin of the calf; the great intercession; the name of mercy; the preparation of the sanctuary. There remains to complete the series only this final scene of the entrance of Jehovah's glory into the house prepared for his habitation. This was the true consecration of the sanctuary, and the true consecration of the nation. "A cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (ver. 14). In what is related in these verses we have: -

I. A THREEFOLD PRIVILEGE.

1. Indwelling. The filling of the tabernacle with the glory was the symbol of Jehovah's taking up his abode in it, and so in Israel (cf. Exodus 25:8). It testified

(1) to the completeness of his reconciliation with the people. Cf. Isaiah 12:1 - "O Lord, 1 will praise thee, though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me."

(2) To his complacency in the beautiful house they had reared for him. Cf. Psalm 132:14 - "This is my rest for ever, here will I dwell; for I have desired it."

(3) To his desire to dwell among them. Note -

1. The true glory of the Church is God's residence in her midst. This was Israel's highest distinction (Exodus 33:16).

2. We should pray that the time may come when the Church shall be, not only dwelt in by her Lord, but "filled" with the "glory" of his presence (Isaiah 60.).

2. Protection. The glory filled the tabernacle within, while the cloud spread itself above the tent as a protective covering without. So is Jehovah the protection of his Church (Isaiah 4:5, 6; Zechariah 2:5).

3. Guidance (vers. 36-38). See Homily on Exodus 13:21, 22.

II. A HINT OF IMPERFECTION. "Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation," etc. (ver. 35). Thus are we reminded that, amidst all these glorious circumstances, that which is perfect is not yet come.

1. Law, not gospel.

2. A material building, not a spiritual house.

3. Earth, not heaven. It was a glory

(1) too great for man to see. Even Moses, who had seen so much of the Divine glory, was not able to look upon it.

(2) Too great for such a building - a mere material structure - to contain. Man longs for nearer communion. So great a glory needs a better house to contain it - a spiritual (1 Peter 2:5).

III. A FORECAST OF WHAT SHALL BE. That which is perfect is not yet come, but it will come by-and-by.

1. The tabernacle of God will be with men, and he will dwell among them (Revelation 21:3, 4). His glory will fill it. "The glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof" (Revelation 21:23).

2. This glory will be no longer unapproachable. We shall be able to endure the sight. "His servants shall serve him, and they shall see his face" (Revelation 22:3, 4). We shall receive the Vision.

3. This, however, will only be when earthly conditions have been exchanged for heavenly. "This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:53). Till that hour arrives, we must be content to "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7), seeing only "as through a glass darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12). - J.O. THE END.

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KJV: Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

WEB: Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle.