Exodus 40: Grace Clothed Upon, God Coming Down
Exodus 40: Grace Clothed Upon, God Coming Down
"So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 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." (Exodus 40:33b-35)
The Tabernacle is finally complete. The myriad materials, the intricate designs, the exacting procedures—none of these were merely for the sake of constructing a magnificent edifice. They were, in truth, an 'Apparatus of Immanuel,' a means for the Holy God to dwell right in the thick of sinful humanity, in the very center of their camp.
We often imagine the Tabernacle or the Temple as something we build with our utmost devotion to offer up to God. My preparation, my ascent, my worship. Our direction is invariably from earth to heaven. Yet, the order of consecration in Exodus 40 reveals the exact opposite. Holiness begins from within the Most Holy Place, from the Throne of God, and flows outward to the Altar of Burnt Offering. Zeal without God’s instruction is not obedience; it is desire. Its representative failure is the Golden Calf. Though crafted from the same gold as the Tabernacle, the result of human initiative without divine command was ultimately idolatry. It is like packing your bags and marching out before the cloud has even lifted—that is not faith.
The same applies to anointing. It is not a chemical reaction that changes the essence of the object. It is an act of grace, 'clothing upon' wood and skin that is destined to rot with the imperishable glory of God. We do not become holy by ourselves; we become His only when we are clothed upon by His holiness.
The end of today’s passage is shocking. When Moses had finished the work in perfect obedience to every command, he found himself unable to enter the tent. The glory of God was so overwhelming that human approach was barred. This is the paradox: built to be with God, yet man stands barred by the very Glory he sought. It is precisely at this point of despair that we see the light of the New Testament. Because we dared not enter, that Glory took on human flesh and 'tabernacled' among us. The event where the Glory from on high turned its direction to come down to this low place—that is Jesus Christ.
Our faith is not a Golden Calf we climb up to seize. It is the quiet waiting to be covered by the overwhelming Grace that comes down to clothe us.