Saved to Serve

Saved to Serve Exodus 40 Background • Exodus is a bridge – see 1:1; Leviticus 1:1 • Tabernacle construction completed precisely (39:43) • Exodus leads to the moment of God’s habitation: 1. “I have surely seen the affliction of my people” (3:7) 2. “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God” (6:7) 3. “Come up to the LORD, you Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar” (24:1) 4. “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst” (28:1) 5. “Let the LORD go in the midst of us” (34:9) God Directs a New Beginning • The first day of the first month of the second year: 1. Ancient peoples typically began their new year with spring 2. The new religious development combined with the new year made for a special day of worship. • God issues new commands: 1. The tabernacle was supposed to be highly mobile and easy to set up/break down. Exodus 40 is a final confirmation of its mobility. 2. God directs Moses to perform the initial set-up. • Total restoration of Aaron and his sons as priests Exact Preparation 1. Seven times we’re told that Moses followed the Lord’s commands exactly: 16, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 32 2. Moses “finished,” that is, made a complete and total end of the work. 3. More ceremonies needed to be performed later during these early stages (see Leviticus 8). 4. This initial set-up was more about preparing the abode of God than establishing the exact sacrificial system. God Descends 1. The Cloud Covered: • • Immediate and visible sign of God’s inrushing presence “Covered,” the same Hebrew word for atonement. 2. God’s Glory Filled: • • • • God “got glory” over Pharaoh (14:17-18) God demonstrated His “glory” by providing manna (16:7) God’s glory descended to the top of Sinai (24:16-17) God showed Moses something of His glory (33:22) 3. God’s Glory Excluded – the tabernacle went from a construction project to God’s dwelling; that Moses could not enter demonstrated God’s ownership God Directs 1. The final word of Exodus is “journeys,” a not-sosubtle nod to the task that lay ahead. 2. God is not merely along for the ride. Rather, the people go where God goes; God leads them like a shepherd over his flock (see Psalm 78:52). 3. God’s presence was all inclusive: in all journeys, at all times, and seen by all the people. Enduring Lessons from Exodus 1. God ultimately desires to dwell among His people (see Revelation 21:3ff). 2. God’s saving ways will be known throughout all the earth (see Jeremiah 33:6-9). 3. God does not follow; He leads (see Psalm 25). 4. God places the highest premium on right worship (see John 4:24)