A Tent Becomes a Tabernacle

“Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34-35 NLT

I love how the Bible records the unfolding of this event. “…and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.” 

So much incredibly hard work had gone into the preparation for this moment. 

Bezalel, Oholiab and the other craftsmen had worked so hard. 

So meticulous in every detail. 

Making everything in for the Tabernacle just as the Lord commanded.

Every thread.
Every stitch.
Every color was so carefully woven together.

Then Moses came through for a final inspection. 

Satisfied that everything was done according to God’s direction.

Moses deemed the Tabernacle complete and ready for the presence of the Lord. 

The Lord too was satisfied with the building of the Tabernacle.

His glory filled the Tabernacle.

“Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.” Exodus 40:36-38 NLT

Imagine that spectacle for just a moment. 

YHWH God who had delivered the people from Egypt by the parting of the Red Sea.

YHWH God who had provided water from a rock.

YHWH God who provided manna and quail, was now dwelling in a Tabernacle where everyone could see. 

Talk about a body guard! 

Imagine the security and comfort they must have felt knowing no power on earth could bring them harm. 

They could visibly see their Protector in a cloud by day and fire by night. 

This presence of the Lord was called ‘shekinah’ by the Hebrews.

It literally meant dwelling or resident. 

The Lord inhabited a tent made in the same fashion as all tents, with thread, needles and clasps. 

But this tent was made in accordance with Lord’s specifications: 

Every dimension.

Every color.

Every material.

Every detail. 

The Lord was now dwelling, residing among His people and He was pleased to do so.

The Bible tells us in the book of Hebrews that the former covenant (Old Testament) was a foreshadow of things to come. 

This Tabernacle and the Lord taking up residence among His people, was a foreshadow of a future day when the Lord was going to once again take up residence with His people.

 ^“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NKJV

This foreshadow was Jesus. 

Jesus was fashioned like other humans except designed by the Father to His specifications. 

He was born of a virgin.

Conceived by the Holy Spirit. 

He was the Lord taking up residence and making his dwelling with us. 

‘Emmanuel’; God with us. 

God in the flesh, looking like us yet very different than us. 

Kind of like the Tabernacle. 

It was a tent made like other tents. 

It looked like a tent.

Smelled like a tent.

Made like a tent.

But very different from any tent ever made before or since. 

Why? 

Because God took up residence in it.

Jesus looked, smelled, walked, ate, and drank like us. 

Yet He was unlike any human who ever lived before or since. 

He was God taking up residence with us. 

This ‘shekinah glory’ was not lost on John or any other Jew. 

When John penned verse 14 every Jew knew exactly what he was saying. 

The Jewish Messiah had been prophesied to live among them.

“The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you.” Zachariah 2:10 NLT

Listen. 

But it gets even better. 

The Lord has taken up residence yet again among His people. 

The Lord took up residence through Jesus and dwelt among His people. 

The Lord takes up residence in us today through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the exact representation of the Father (Hebrews 1:3) 

The Holy Spirit is the exact representation of Jesus (John 14:26).  

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,  for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

Yes believer, the Lord is dwelling in you. 

And it is just as glorious as it has ever been. 

Can you see Him?

RP