Exodus

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”  (Exodus 40:34)

Exodus 40 is a fitting chapter to end the book of Exodus with. The last five verses are about the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle and the cloud settling upon it. The cloud and the glory of God descend and fill because the tabernacle is complete and the Levitical ministry was about to begin. This is always the right place to be in. God’s work can proceed only when God is present. Many have tried to engage in God’s work without the presence of the Lord. It cannot happen. Just as there can only be blessing through obedience, so too, God’s presence is required for the ministry to succeed. Success here is not our definition of success, but rather God’s blessing because of his presence.

Moses was required to ensure that the building of the tabernacle with all its components was “according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Ex. 25:9, 40, Num. 8:4; Acts 7:44; Heb. 8:5). The tabernacle was an incredible piece of construction. Moses was on the mountain before God for forty days and nights. During this time, God revealed to him the plans he had for the tabernacle. It began with the gifts of the people. They were to make contributions toward the building (Ex. 25:1–9). [Read more…] about The Cloud Covered…The Glory Filled

“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’” (Exodus 33:18)

In this passage of Scripture, the heart cry of Moses is to have God show him His glory. Moses has had enough experience of God, from the burning bush episode which revolutionized and galvanized his life in a new direction, to the contests with Pharaoh in Egypt, to the Passover deliverance, to the escape from Egypt through the Red Sea, to the giving of the Law of God, and we should not forget the on-going rebellion of the people. In all of these, God had so magnificently demonstrated that He was doing something beyond the powers and abilities of man. Moses had certainly recognized the otherness of God. The gods of Egypt were insufficient and puny and had no power (except the power of darkness) against God. Moses had rejoiced in the giving of the Law, as this was surely a revelation of God like no other. [Read more…] about A Vision Glorious

“And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.” (Exodus 11:3)

The Bible describes Moses in a number of ways. For instance, in Numbers 12:3, “the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” Stephen says in Acts 7:22 that “Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.” He is referred to as “Moses, the servant of God” (1 Chron. 6:49; 2 Chron. 24:9; Neh. 10:29; Dan. 9:11; Rev. 15:3). Moses was said to be “faithful in all God’s house as a servant” (Heb. 3:2, 5).

Moses authored the Pentateuch, and God’s Law is called “the law of Moses” (Josh. 8:31, 32; 23:6; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 14:6; 23:25; 2 Chron. 23:18; 30:16; Ez. 3:2; 7:6; Neh. 8:1; Dan. 9:11, 13; Luke 2:22; 24:44; John 7:23; Acts 13:39; 15:5; 28:23; 1 Cor. 9:9; Heb. 10:28). Jesus said that Moses wrote of him (John 5:46). It was Moses who appeared along with Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30, 31). Hebrews 11 reveals him as a man of faith (Heb. 11:23-28). [Read more…] about The Man Moses Was Very Great