God Moves In: The Glory Fills the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:1–38)
After a long journey through the wilderness, the people of Israel had finally finished building something very special—the Tabernacle. This was not just a fancy tent; it was a place where God promised to live among His people. In this final chapter of Exodus, we see the Tabernacle being set up, and something amazing happens—God moves in.
Let’s walk through this incredible moment together.
God Gives Clear Instructions
God spoke to Moses and told him exactly when to set up the Tabernacle: on the first day of the first month of the new year. He also gave detailed instructions on how everything should be arranged—where to place the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altar, and the washbasin.
God didn’t leave anything to guesswork. He even told Moses to prepare Aaron and his sons to serve as priests by washing them, dressing them in special clothes, and anointing them with oil. This was all part of God’s plan to live among His people in a holy and respectful way.
Moses Does Everything God Says
Moses obeyed every word. He carefully set up the Tabernacle just as God had told him. Piece by piece, item by item, he followed the instructions perfectly.
He put the ark in place, hung the curtain, arranged the furniture, and lit the lamps. He also anointed the whole Tabernacle and all the items in it, setting them apart for God. Finally, he prepared Aaron and his sons for their special role as priests.
When Moses was done, the Tabernacle was complete. The people had worked hard, and now everything was ready.
God’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle
Then something amazing happened. A cloud came down and covered the Tabernacle. Inside that cloud was the glory of God—His powerful, beautiful presence. It was so strong that even Moses couldn’t go inside.
From that moment on, the cloud was a visible sign that God was with His people. Whenever the cloud lifted and moved, the Israelites would pack up and follow. When it stayed, they stayed. God Himself was leading them on their journey.
What We Can Learn from This Story
This chapter teaches us some powerful lessons:
- God values obedience. Moses and the people followed His instructions carefully, and He responded by filling the Tabernacle with His presence.
- God wants to be close to His people. He didn’t stay far away—He moved in and stayed with them.
- God is our guide. Just like the Israelites followed the cloud, we can follow God today by trusting His direction in our lives.
Conclusion
The setting up of the Tabernacle was more than just a religious event—it was the moment God moved in with His people. He didn’t want to be distant; He wanted to live among them and lead them.
That same God still wants to be close to us today. When we make space for Him in our lives and follow His ways, He shows up. His presence brings light, direction, and peace.
So ask yourself: is there room in your heart and life for God to move in?
Exodus 40:1-38 (WEB)
40:1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 3 You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps. 5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.6 “You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 7 You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein. 8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.9 “You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy. 10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy. 11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.12 “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 14 You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them. 15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” 16 Moses did so. According to all that the LORD commanded him, so he did.17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up. 18 Moses raised up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up its boards, and put in its bars, and raised up its pillars. 19 He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tabernacle above on it, as the LORD commanded Moses. 20 He took and put the covenant into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as the LORD commanded Moses. 22 He put the table in the Tent of Meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside of the veil. 23 He set the bread in order on it before the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses. 24 He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. 25 He lit the lamps before the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses. 26 He put the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting before the veil; 27 and he burned incense of sweet spices on it, as the LORD commanded Moses. 28 He put up the screen of the door to the tabernacle. 29 He set the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, as the LORD commanded Moses. 30 He set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water therein, with which to wash. 31 Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet there. 32 When they went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as the LORD commanded Moses. 33 He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the LORD’s glory filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and the LORD’s glory filled the tabernacle. 36 When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys; 37 but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.