Year 1, Week 12, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 12, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Exodus 40 - Leviticus 1.

Today’s readings completes the Book of Exodus and goes directly into the Book of Leviticus. Exodus 40 describes what happened after the Tabernacle was complete. The presence of the LORD filled the Tabernacle as now the LORD would dwell in the midst of His people. Exodus began with the Israelites suffering in Egyptian captivity: “the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant” (Exodus 2:23b-24a). Exodus ends a year after their release from captivity as the Nation of Israel is camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai. A year into their freedom from slavery, they have realized the goal of their release—to be in the presence of God. And yet, even though the Tabernacle is completed, the Israelites must understand how they are to live in the presence of the LORD. The Book of Leviticus provides the information they need so that sinful people could safely live with a Holy God.

What struck me in today’s reading is the significance of the glory of the LORD filling the Tabernacle: “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34). Moses has coordinated the completion of the Tabernacle as well as the installation of the priests and furnishings, but Moses could not enter the Tabernacle after the LORD did: “And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:35). Much like the LORD’s earlier denial to Moses’ request to see the LORD’s face, the presence of the LORD was so great that it was unsafe to enter: “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20). All of this may sound confusing in that the whole purpose of the Tabernacle was that there would be a way for the LORD to dwell with His people. Now the presence of the LORD that Moses experienced up on Mt. Sinai, which the rest of Israel was forbidden to approach, as the LORD said: “Moses alone shall come near to the LORD, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him” (Exodus 24:2); would now reside in the midst of all of Israel. However, on day one, no one-not even Moses-can access it.

The fact that the LORD was now dwelling in the midst of the people of Israel, but not even Moses can enter, explains the purpose of the Book of Leviticus. The Book of Leviticus explains how the people can meet with the LORD at the Tabernacle. A Holy God can only be approached by sinful people by way of a priesthood and through sacrifice. In fact, the follow up to Moses’ inability to enter the Tabernacle once it was filled with the glory of the LORD isn’t resolved until several important matters concerning the priestly obligations and the sacrificial requirements were explained in the first portion of Leviticus. With a working knowledge of the role of the priests and the details behind the sacrifices, Moses finally entered: "Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.” (Leviticus 9:22-23). To that end, the Book of Leviticus begins explaining how Israel would be allowed to come into the presence of God: “The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.” (Leviticus 1:1-2). The LORD provided the means necessary for His people to dwell in His presence.

But the glory of the LORD filling the Tabernacle would not be the finality of God’s plans. Yes, the LORD wanted to be with Israel sharing His glory with them in a special way: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.” (Exodus 19:4); but the LORD also wanted Israel to show His glory to the nations: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5). The glory of the LORD that once filled Eden, that would now fill the Tabernacle in the midst of the Israelite camp, will one day fill the whole earth: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14). The finality of the LORD’s plans entails His worship on a global scale: “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!” (Psalm 113:2-3).

But access to glory provided by means of the Levitical priesthood and sacrifices was just a preview of a greater, fuller, eternal glory in Christ: “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe