"…the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle."

Well, here we are wrapping up the second book of the Old Testament. Yay! These last few chapters have been a challenge for me because of all the detail to take in. Sometimes my brain felt overloaded with “blue, purple, and scarlet yarn,” and “finely twisted linen.” My closest friends know that I struggle with staying focused on reading. I want to skim and get the main idea. I have made a commitment though to read and soak up all I can of God’s Word. I have been encouraged by all the ladies’ posts to see the significance in the details given. Just knowing that God is very intentional in what is in His word gives me encouragement to make every effort to understand it.

So, what did we learn? These last two chapters give the actual building of the Tabernacle and the making of the priests’ clothing. Remarkably the Israelites did everything God told them to do. Then Moses was to inspect all their work. When he found they had done exactly as they were told he blessed them. Moses was in charge of setting up the Tabernacle after the inspection and when he finished the work the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. The Israelites camped for as long as the cloud was upon the Tabernacle. When it lifted and moved, they followed.

Let’s think about verse 34 of chapter 40. It reads, “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” The Israelites visibly had the presence of the Lord with them, in front of them day and night. How amazing is that? Then think about how unfaithful, fearful, and whiny they were at times. What do you think about that? I think it is important to think about and then apply it to our own life. While the Israelites had to build a Tabernacle for the Lord’s presence, we are the Tabernacle with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us (if you are a believer). What excuse do we have for our shortcomings?

Forgive me Lord for my complacency, unfaithfulness, and complaining. Help me to fully recognize who I am in Christ, the power that lives within me and that I would be a worthy Tabernacle to bring you glory. Help us all to press on and draw nearer to you in reading your Word.