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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Wednesday, 12 February 2025:
Exodus 40:15-33 – …anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.
God sets apart ministers He calls for His service. God expects ministers to do what His word has told them to do. You are a priest before the LORD, called for that purpose.
– Exodus 19:5-6 — 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.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
– Isaiah 61:5-6 — Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
– Revelation 1:6 — …and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
– Revelation 5:10 – “…and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Exodus 40:34 – Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
“While on Mt. Sinai, Moses received the Ten Commandments (Ex. 19:1–20:21), various other regulations (20:22–23:19), and basic instructions for the invasion of Canaan (23:20–33). He was also given the blueprint for the tabernacle (24:15– 30:38), that portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people until a more permanent house could be built in Jerusalem (1 Chron. 22). The tabernacle and its associated furniture and services are extremely important to both the Old and New Testaments….
In order to understand the purpose of the tabernacle, we need to go all the way back to the beginning of Genesis. We read in 3:8 that the Lord used to walk with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden during “the cool of the day,” signifying the close, intimate fellowship they enjoyed with the Creator before sin caused everything to fall apart. Having sinned, Adam and Eve were banished from Eden and the immediate presence of our holy God (vv. 22–24), and since that day the goal of salvation has been to restore that face-to-face communion between the Lord and His people. This is seen in the promises to the patriarchs where God promised not to leave Jacob until He accomplished what He said He would do (28:10–17).
The tabernacle was the vehicle through which God manifested His presence among Israel between Sinai and the construction of Solomon’s temple. Because it was constructed like a portable tent, the tabernacle could travel with the people into the Promised Land (Num. 1:47–53). During their journey, at those times when the Israelites stopped for a time, the tabernacle would be erected in the center of the nation’s camp and the people would see that the Lord dwelt among them (chap. 2).
Today’s passage records God’s entrance into the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34–38). No longer would He meet Israel at the top of Sinai but His presence would be visible in the midst of the camp. Now the people had a tent where they could meet the Creator.
Yet even though the tabernacle was a step forward for God’s people toward one-on-one communion with Him, it still did not go far enough. Sin had not yet been atoned for, and only a select few could enter into the tabernacle and enjoy the Lord’s glorious presence (Num. 1:51–53).
In Christ we have access to the holy place in heaven where we can commune with our Father. This can be a difficult reality to remember since we do not yet see Him face-to-face. But just as the tabernacle reminded Israel of God’s presence, so too can modern church architecture remind us that we have free access to the Lord. The cross, in particular, should cause us to recall the privilege of the intimacy we have with God through Christ Jesus.” (Ligonier Ministries)
Exodus 40:35 – 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.
When God’s glory was present, no one could enter and look upon it. We must never lose appreciation for the glory of God’s presence, and we should never lose perspective that as Christians, we are continually in the presence of God, which is progressively transforming us to the image of Christ — And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Exodus 40:36 – Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.
We must follow God’s lead in life.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 12 February 2025: Today, focus on living as a priest before the LORD in the presence of the LORD. Obey Him wholeheartedly, glorify Him in all you do, proclaim His glory to others, and intercede in prayer to the LORD for those God places upon your heart.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 