The book of Exodus finishes with a ‘cliffhanger’. Yahweh is in the midst of his people, he is leading them by the pillar of cloud and fire and the glory of God fills the tent of meeting within the tabernacle. This all looks great, right? But there is a problem: Moses is unable to enter the tent of meeting. It is meant to be a tent of meeting, but Moses is now unable to meet with God there. This problem is eventually overcome because in Leviticus 9:23 we read that “Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting”. So, what happens in between Exodus 40 and Leviticus 9? It is of course the institution of the priesthood and the sacrifices. When Moses and Aaron eventually enter the tent of meeting the fire of God’s glory, which would previously have consumed them, consumes their sacrifice instead (Leviticus 9:24). Moreover, they came out with God’s blessing which overflowed to the whole nation. Ah, the beauty of this story! How much more then will we be accepted and blessed when we enter God’s presence by the sacrifice of Christ? I keep hearing people joke about being struck by lightning if they enter a church. The intuition is correct. We have all sinned and we should be consumed in judgement. But Christ our sacrifice, was consumed by judgement in our place, so we might gain access to God’s presence and blessing. In view of this “let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22) that we will be blessed and will THRIVE!
Thank God for his mercy and seek his blessing where you need it most.
Read Exodus 40:34-38, Leviticus 9:22-24 & Hebews 10:19-22
