Life in the Presence of God

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.

“Exodus ends on a very positive note by reporting the erection of the portable sanctuary and YHWH’s coming to dwell within it, but the contents of ch. 40 signal that this is not the end of the story. Vv. 9–15 anticipate the future consecration of the sanctuary and its priesthood (see Lev. 8), and vv. 36–38 refer to the Israelites’ onward journeys. Yet with the erection of the tent of meeting a highly significant development occurs, building on the newly established covenant relationship between YHWH and the Israelites. As they journey onward, YHWH will go with the people, dwelling among them. The implications of this for the Israelites will be set out more fully in the book of Leviticus. No other nation experiences the presence of God in this way. With YHWH’s glory filling the tabernacle, the Israelites could be viewed as experiencing a partial restoration of Eden. However, it may be more accurate to think of this event as merely an important step towards the fulfillment of God’s aspirations for Eden. Returning to Eden is not the ultimate goal of OT eschatology; rather, Eden is to become a holy city that fills the earth, where God and humanity will live in harmony. The Exodus story marks progress towards this ambition, for, as R. W. Klein observes, ‘The ultimate purpose of this Exodus is that Yahweh might dwell among his people. Life in the presence of God is clearly considered to be an ideal existence.’”

“We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves. The idea is to give all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God. That is what the Christian life is all about.”