QT 5/27/2026 Exo 40:34–38, The rebirth of the cloud within us

Exodus 40:33b–38 (ESV) —

… So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 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. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

 

NOTE: I like how Stewart (2006) describes the cloud, "a visible presence—indicating symbol of an invisible God." The cloud on the mount "came down" (Exo 33:9) and now it stood over and in the tabernacle. Moses had spoken with God on a trembling mountain, and then in a small tent of meeting outside of camp, and now (in the story) God speaks to Moses within the tabernacle in the middle of and in sight of all the tribes.

 

The beauty of the gospel is that God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, resides in each believer who has put their faith in Jesus Christ for the payment for their sins. The cloud lives in us now and in fact seals us until the day of glorification, when we will receive new bodies and our heavenly inheritance. The OT law was in imperfect way of representing God's presence to the people. First, our sin separated us from God. The blood of sheep and goats could never take away our sin, but was only a temporary covering. A perfect Lamb of God, a redeemer, who had no sin of his own, was required. He, the Son of God, Jesus, voluntarily died in our place, to open the door to the real altar and temple in the Heavenlies. Jesus led the captives out of paradise and into the presence of God. We also await with them the redemption of our bodies and our new home. Exodus reminds us of our greater need, true forgiveness and true salvation.

 

PONDER:

1. Have we experienced the new birth that happens to those who have asked Jesus to be their savior? The bible describes it -- 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray that people around the world might experience the true rebirth that comes with accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord. It is not about a religion, it is about a relationship.