Exodus 40:17-38

the Tabernacle Set up and Dedicated

Exodus 40:17

At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice all was finished. Moses had placed the table on the right and the candlestick on the left of the holy place; had set the incense-altar near the veil; had washed in the laver, and had anointed it and all its vessels. The Ark had been hidden behind the veil, and Aaron invested in his robes. Then the congregation, deeply moved, retired to their tents and night settled on the mountains. Moses also retired from the scene, full of thankfulness. See Psalms 90:16.

They had hardly left the structure when the cloud that had guided their march settled down upon it, and the glory of the Lord-“the Shechinah”-shone within the Tabernacle itself. Moses immediately hastened back, and found the Presence of God so manifestly in possession that he dared not enter. Behold! the tabernacle of God was with men. So in after years the Divine Word dwelled in the mortal body of Jesus. See John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 21:3. This is the worthy close of this great book of the Exodus.

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