Exodus 35-40, God Dwells

Introduction

Good morning! Please open your Bible to Exodus 35. We’re concluding our study of the book of Exodus this morning. We’ll be looking at chapters 35 through 40 and the construction of the Tabernacle. Before we do that, as always, we want to go to the LORD in prayer together and ask that He would bless our time of worship in His Word together. So, let’s do that.

PRAY

How can a holy God dwell with a sinful people? That’s the question we all have a personal interest in this morning. That question has really been before us ever since the Fall in Genesis 3. That’s the question being answered as God’s dealings with His people progressively unfold throughout the Bible. In the beginning, God created the world; man being the pinnacle of his creation––uniquely created to bear his image and spread His dominion over all creation.

However, man rebelled against God’s rule and authority. What is made very clear in light of that rebellion is the reality that an infinitely holy God cannot dwell in the midst of a sinful people. At least, not apart from sin being dealt with such that God’s justice is satisfied. Thus Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden. Ever since then, the question has been, “how will God deal with our sin problem and restore His imagebearers to right fellowship with Him in His presence?”

When we looked at Genesis earlier this year, we learned that plan would come through God’s covenant promises to Abraham. He would multiply his descendants; give them land to dwell in; and be their God and they His people. This would come after their sojourning for 400 years in a foreign land. The latter part of Genesis details how the people of Israel came to dwell in Egypt, teeing up our study of the book of Exodus these last couple of months.

Exodus has broadly unfolded in three stages: 1) God remembers His covenant promise to Abraham and delivers Israel from Egypt (1-18); 2) God provides His covenant stipulations to Israel, detailing how they will live under His rule as His people in fellowship with Him (19-24); and 3) God graciously makes provision to dwell with His people in their midst (25-40),

This morning, we come to the conclusion of this part in the developing story of God’s redemptive plans and purposes. How He is moving the ball further downfield so that His people can dwell in His presence and what effect that should have on us this morning as members of the New Covenant in Christ.

MAIN POINT––Treasure God’s provision and grace enabling Him to dwell with His people in full glory.

God’s Provision

God’s Grace

God’s Glory

God’s Provision

The first thing before us this morning is to treasure God’s provision. God’s provision for His people has been evident in countless ways throughout our study of Exodus. But this morning I want us to see and treasure His provision which enables His people to dwell in His presence. We see that in a couple of ways––God’s provision of the means for building the tabernacle and God’s provision of clear instructions for building the tabernacle.

Means

Follow along with me as I READ Exodus 35:4-29.

In the verses we just read we have a detailed description of all the materials to be used for building the Tabernacle. These materials came together as a freewill offering from the people. It was their contribution to the work. The LORD commanded this contribution to be made, but the people’s giving was a glad response. Did you notice that? Repeatedly, we see the contribution was to come from those who were of “a generous heart”; that “everyone whose heart stirred him, and whose spirit moved him” brought this contribution.

God commanded and God’s people gladly responded in great generosity. This is a right response to God’s grace. Having experienced God’s grace and mercy in countless ways, they were moved from the heart to gladly and generously give to the work of the LORD. How moved were they? Well, Moses goes on to tell us how overwhelming the response was from the people as they gave. Look with me at Exodus 36:2-7.

READ Exodus 36:2-7

The response of the people was overwhelming. Imagine a joy filled people, overwhelmed by God’s gracious dealings with them. They didn’t just make one contribution. It says every morning they brought more contributions. As I read this I thought of some of you and the generosity you’ve shown to our church family in countless ways. You can almost picture it I hope.

Imagine a wife who gives some of her finest jewelry and garments to the craftsman making the Tabernacle. She goes home, sees more, and the joy of what God has done and is doing overwhelms her with gladness to see what more she could give. That’s what was happening here.They gave so much in abundance of what was needed, that Moses had to stop them from bringing more. A further demonstration of how moved they were by God’s grace toward them.

But we need to be reminded that the people’s contribution was not ultimately owing to their own riches they had procured for themselves. These materials were not from Israel’s earnings or wages from their labor in Egypt. This wasn’t coming from their accumulated retirement savings. Israel’s generous contributions were ultimately owing to God’s generous provision for them through their plunder of the Egyptians. God promised He would provide for them in this way all the way back in Exodus 3:

21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, 22 but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

God made good on that promised provision as they were leaving. In Exodus 12:35-36 they were given all these kinds of materials in the form of fine jewelry and clothing, just as God said would happen. It was God who moved in the hearts of the Egyptians to provide these materials to Israel as they left. Thus it was God’s provision to the people that enabled the people’s contribution to the LORD’s work.

Now, hopefully you noticed that it is not just the materials needed which the LORD provided. The means God provided was not just material means, but also the skill necessary for the work. We’ve already seen that in what was read as skillful women spun and worked with the garments. Probably their quilters joyfully working together. But we see it again all the more explicitly as we READ Exodus 35:30-36:1.

Here we’re given the names of those who were charged with much of the labor and overseeing the work. God called Bezalel and Oholiab, filling them with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with craftsmanship to do the work which the LORD required of them. He also gave them the ability to teach so that others would join them in the work. We’re reminded that the LORD equips His people to do that which He has called them to do.

Loved ones, this begs the question for all of us this morning––what do you have that you have not first received from the LORD? All that we have and all that we are, is owing to the LORD. Whether small or great. The reality is that there is no such thing as a truly “‘self-made man”. If you are well supplied, it is not ultimately because of your intellect or skill or hard work. It is because God has generously given you much, that you would glorify Him with what He has given you to steward on his behalf for his glory.

All that you have. All that you’ve been given has been given to you by God. All the earth is his and all that is in it is his, including our possessions. Thus, when we give to the LORD, we are ultimately giving back what belongs to Him.

Instructions

God’s provision also includes His instructions. It’s interesting that, before we get into the construction of the tabernacle, God reminds Israel of His command to keep the Sabbath. We see that in Exodus 35:1-3.

Before they were to undertake this work, they needed to be reminded of the rest they were to have on the seventh day. We must recognize that living and working in this way was an act of faith on Israel’s part. Given how elaborate the work would be, the temptation would be to push the work every day. Their tendency would be to think, “look at all that we have to do, there’s no time to rest!” This Sabbath rest was the covenant sign, but also a gift that they would remember God’s faithfulness to them. That they would rest in His presence and enjoy Him.

Then, following the contributions made, we’re given the details of how the Tabernacle was constructed beginning with Exodus 36:8 through the end of Exodus 38 and how the priestly garments were to be made in Exodus 39:1-31. For the sake of time, we won’t read all of that. Much of it is a repetition of the instructions given for the Tabernacle back in Exodus 25-31.

The main difference between the instructions there and what we have here is the change in verb tense. Back in Exodus 25-31 we see it as, future, what they will do. Here it is in action and completed. Let’s READ Exodus 39:32-43.

When we looked at Exodus 25-31 a couple of weeks ago, we observed how much space is dedicated to the Tabernacle. We noted how this demonstrates the significance of God’s dwelling presence with His people. One way to know something is important in the Scriptures is by the amount of time spent on it. That’s why Moses spends so much time giving and repeating the details of the Tabernacle. We’re to read this and understand its importance in the life and ministry of God’s people.

As we noted a couple of weeks ago, God’s presence is the highest gift and provision He can give to His people. It is God Himself that we treasure above all else. We also observed the great attention to detail given in the instructions. How this screams for our attention to the reality of God’s holiness and how much He cares about the details. We see the same here in the actual construction of the Tabernacle. We’re given almost verbatim the exact same details. So, I want us to revisit this reality a little bit more this morning.

This time, rather than focus only on the holiness of God, I want us to consider the implications that flow from these details and the reality of His holiness. That is, we cannot come before God to worship Him in any way we choose. Nor is this knowledge of how to come before the LORD innate to us. God must reveal how we are to approach Him in worship. He is the one who determines what is acceptable worship. Not us. Therefore, as God’s people, we are to come before Him in worship in only the ways He has prescribed. That’s what they did. Notice the repeated refrain in these chapters––“just as the LORD commanded Moses.”

One thing anyone who has served in the military can attest to is how they drill into you the significance of attention to detail in following instructions. They start drilling that into you from the moment they have you in every possible way. Because, for those in the military, attention to detail can often be a life and death difference. For me that lesson began the moment I signed in over twenty years ago at North Georgia College, a senior military college.

As I signed in, I had to carry all my belongings, smashed together in a few duffle bags. While weighed down with all of this, I had two people on either side of me shouting in my face as I moved as quickly as possible down a long hallway with the lights off and loud heavy metal music blasting. Absolute chaos all around me. At the end of the hallway a large shadowy figure of a man, built like a ninja turtle, gave me instructions for all that would happen that first day as I signed in.

Now while he gave me those instructions I had been told to remain behind this taped line on the ground. After giving instructions, he then told me to sign for some things on the table in front of me, which of course was just out of reach. So, not thinking anything of it, I stepped closer to the table––over the line I had been told to stay behind! Needless to say, I learned through much pain and torment how important the details were. Even the smallest thing, like remaining behind the line. I learned to do exactly what I was told––nothing more; nothing less. Because, later on I might be in a situation where life and death depended upon it.

How much more for a sinful people dealing with an infinitely holy God? If you survey the evangelical landscape today, there are many churches that would do well to revisit this reality of following God’s instructions. The same God who cares about the details of His people approaching Him in worship under the Old Covenant cares just as much how we approach Him in worship even now. I appreciated one pastor’s comments and application on worship in our day. In a time and place where too many churches prize novelty over faithfulness, we want to be a people who instead prize faithfulness over novelty.

This is why we, and other churches like ours, endeavor to take our cue from the early church and the example of the apostles laid down in the NT. This idea is what the reformers called “the regulative principle.” God is the one who regulates how His people worship Him. That is, we only incorporate in our time of worship that which we see prescribed and demonstrated in His Word.

Everything we do when we gather to worship together is centered around and anchored in God’s Word––singing it; praying in accordance with God's revealed will in His Word; devoting ourselves to significant time in the public reading and preaching of God’s Word; displaying the Word through the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Loved ones, there is no need to come up with anything new or our own ways to draw people in––novelty in worship. Our responsibility is to come before the LORD and worship Him as He has instructed.

In all of God’s provision for the building of the Tabernacle––the means and instruction––we’re reminded of the NT reality that Christ is building His church. He gives us all that we need to do that. He gives gifts for all of us to use in building up the body of Christ. He has given us clear commands for how that work is to be done. Like Israel, our responsibility is to trust and obey in faithfulness to Him and His Word, leaving the results to Him. Knowing that He will fulfill His promise of building His church.

God’s Grace

The next thing we can treasure according to this passage is God’s grace. We’ve considered displays of God’s grace all throughout our study of Exodus. God delivering Israel from Egypt was an act of grace in their lives. They too were tainted with a sin nature like Egypt. God delivered them by His grace in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham. We also have seen His grace in sustaining them since their deliverance from Egypt in spite of their failure to trust Him. God’s grace is all over His dealings with His people from Genesis to Revelation.

We see it continue here in the construction of the Tabernacle. Last week, Pastor Tyler led us through God’s discipline of Israel because of their idolatry. They had already broken the covenant by worshipping a graven image in the golden calf. So grievous was their sin that God had threatened to destroy them and make a people from Moses. But God used Moses’ intercession and mediation for them to show them mercy. The fact that Exodus continues into chapters 35 through 40 with the construction of the Tabernacle is evidence of God’s grace!

Israel certainly did not merit God’s favor to move forward in dwelling with them. The only thing they deserved was His judgment for so easily and quickly turning away from Him. Yet, God demonstrated His own relentless commitment to make them His treasured people among all the nations. He was committed to making His face shine upon them, lavishing them with His grace and dwelling in their midst.

God’s grace is also evident in his continued dealings with Aaron and still allowing him to serve as Priest for the people in the service of the Tabernacle. Aaron had also sinned grievously with the people. He also added to that sin by refusing to take responsibility for his failure. Aaron, especially as a leader among them, deserved God’s judgment. God could have struck Aaron dead and given the priesthood to someone else. Instead, we come to Exodus 39 where we see in verses 1, as well as verses 27-29 the instructions to make priestly garments specifically for Aaron and his sons.

Can you imagine how he must have felt? How all who remained after God’s discipline must have felt? Loved ones, if you have experienced God’s saving grace and mercy by faith in Christ you don’t have to imagine. You know! The more acutely aware you are of how sinful you are, the greater your appreciation for God’s grace will be. This is why we spend so much time saturating our hearts and minds with the gospel in our times of worship together. We need to regularly bathe in gospel truths that stir us to treasure God’s grace continually.

Remembering God’s grace is intended to be a balm to our weary souls, regularly applied according to God’s prescription. When we remember our former way of life before Christ.

When we sin and fail to represent the LORD even now as Christians––in both word and deed. When you’re wide awake with regret and dread at 3am in the morning––“I can’t believe I did/said that.” The remedy in those moments is to remember God’s grace shown to you in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Loved ones, God’s grace is the grounds of certainty and assurance, not our obedience. Your sin cannot overpower God and His determination to save His people. Our gospel shaped lives are a glad response to God’s grace that has already been given to us in Christ. We’ve seen that even in the lives of Israel here following the Exodus. May we all the more be a people who treasure God’s grace and that it would be all the more evident in our life and ministry together.

God’s Glory

Lastly, we see that we should treasure the reality of God dwelling with His people in full glory. Let’s READ Exodus 40:34-38.

After the work was completed, God gave instructions for setting up the Tabernacle and how it was to be consecrated, set apart, for service and worship to the LORD. Once again there is some repetition there. Verses 1-15 are the LORD’s instructions and then verses 16-33 is the record of Moses carrying out those instructions. Then comes the pinnacle moment. The moment when God’s glory filled the tabernacle. But don’t miss the reality that this moment doesn’t fully resolve the problem in answer to our question––how can a holy God dwell with sinful people.

Do you see that? The glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle and not even Moses could enter the Tabernacle. God is dwelling there. He’s come down. But no one, not even Moses can get inside to where the LORD’s presence is. This might seem shocking to us. I mean, Moses wasn’t part of the golden calf rebellion. Moses was God’s appointed mediator for this covenant, and not even he could enter in. The reality that Moses was an imperfect and temporary mediator is apparent. He too was stained with original sin. He too needed his own sin dealt with.

So, if not even Moses could enter, what hope did anyone else have? What hope do any of us have to enter into God’s presence? The reality that no man can enter God’s presence apart from their sin being dealt with and God’s justice being satisfied is brought before us. This ending to Exodus leaves us somewhat in suspense. It’s a bit of a cliffhanger, leading us to turn to Leviticus.

When we get to Leviticus, we’ll see that chapters 1-7 provides instructions for the offerings that were to be offered to the LORD. Then in Leviticus 8 there’s the ordination of the priests––Aaron and his sons. Then Leviticus 9 brings the resolution for those who can enter the Tabernacle in service to the LORD. It’s the first recorded Tabernacle service where offerings are made for the priests and the people. Listen to this from Leviticus 9:22-24:

22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Satisfaction was made for Moses, Aaron, and the people in the sacrificial offerings. A reminder of the penalty for our sins. The wages of sin is death. All the sacrifices were offered as substitutes, taking God’s wrath in place of the people so they could come before the LORD. So the LORD could dwell in their midst and they would not be destroyed by Him. This moment of God’s dwelling in the midst of His people both looks back to Eden, and anticipates an even greater work that would come.

In looking back to Eden, we’re reminded of God’s intentions all along. He made us for Himself. He made us that we would enjoy Him and worship Him and make much of Him in all that we do. When the Fall happened, that intention was distorted. Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden. No longer able to dwell in the presence of God because of their sin. But God promised to make a way for that problem to be dealt with.

Sin could not fully and permanently defeat God’s creation purposes for His glory. God is committed to seeing His creation purposes fulfilled. His fellowship with His imagebearers will be restored. All the earth will be full of His glory. He’s committed to that. Eden was lost, but only for a time––a blip on the radar of eternity. And the Tabernacle was a mere step in that direction as the story of redemption continued to unfold.

Looking forward, the Tabernacle anticipates Israel dwelling in the promised land where one day the Temple would be built under Solomon. But it points even beyond that. More gloriously, to a person––the LORD Jesus Christ. I’ll just tell you, our study of Exodus was planned intentionally this way for our advent season. So that next week, we will examine the great reality this all points to in John 1. The coming of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Jesus left the glory of heaven to come down and fill the earth with heaven’s glory. The Word made flesh who dwelt (tabernacled) among us. The fullness of God’s glory wrapped in human flesh to bear the sins of His people. To rescue His people, ransoming us from captivity to sin so that we could dwell with God just the way we were created to.

As great as Moses was, not even Moses could enter the Tabernacle when God’s glory filled it. Not apart from sacrifices being offered. But Jesus was a perfect mediator. A sinless mediator. The only one who could not only enter God’s presence, but who Himself is God in full glory dwelling amidst His people. And even now, He is with His people by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. A guarantee of our inheritance when He comes again in full power and glory.

Then, God’s dwelling place will be with man in full glory and unhindered fellowship for all eternity. Eden will be fully and cosmically restored in the new creation. We will enter into God’s rest. The eternal Sabbath rest in His presence. A permanent celebration and enjoyment of Him and all that He has made. All because of Jesus. Loved ones, this brings us to the reality that for us to treasure God’s provision and grace enabling Him to dwell with His people in full glory, is a call for us to treasure Christ as His new covenant people.

Conclusion

Jesus is the ultimate provision and demonstration of God’s grace enabling Him to dwell with us in all of His glory. He is the One we delight in and treasure with all of our being. Or at least we ought to. Loved ones, do you treasure Christ in this way? Are you continually growing in your love and affection for Christ through all of life’s circumstances? Are you in awe of Him and how God has brought you to Himself in the person and work of Christ?

If everything was taken away from you in a moment, would you still be able to worship God with joy because all you have is Christ? Knowing that He is enough to satisfy your needy soul because, ultimately you were made for Him. Loved ones, never tire of considering what God has done for us in Christ. May this advent season serve to stir all our hearts, more and more, to Treasure God’s provision and grace enabling Him to dwell with His people in full glory.