[34] Then a cloud covered
the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
[35] And Moses was not able to enter into
the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the
glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. [36]
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children
of Israel went onward in all their journeys: [37]
But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day
that it was taken up. [38] For the
cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by
night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
As when God had finished this earth, which he designed
for man's habitation, he made man, and put him in possession of it; so
when Moses had finished the tabernacle, which was designed for God's dwelling
- place among men, God came and took possession of it. By these visible
tokens of his coming among them, he testified both the return of his favour,
which they had forfeited by the golden calf, and his gracious acceptance
of their care and pains about the tabernacle. Thus God shewed himself well
- pleased with what they had done, and abundantly rewarded them. A cloud
covered the tent - The same cloud which, as the chariot or pavilion of
the Shechinah, had come up before them out of Egypt, now settled upon the
tabernacle, and hovered over it, even in the hottest and clearest day;
for it was none of those clouds which the sun scatters. This cloud was
intended to be a token of God's presence, constantly visible day and night
to all Israel. A protection of the tabernacle: they had sheltered it with
one covering upon another, but after all, the cloud that covered it was
its best guard: And a guide to the camp of Israel in their march through
the wilderness. While the cloud continued on the tabernacle, they rested;
when it removed, they removed and followed it, as being purely under a
divine conduct. And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle - The Shechinah
now made an awful entry into the tabernacle, passing through the outer
part of it into the most holy place, and there seating itself between the
cherubim. It was in light and fire, and, for ought we know, no other -
wise, that the Shechinah made itself visible. With these the tabernacle
was now filled; yet as before the bush, so now the curtains were not consumed,
for, to those that have received the anointing, the majesty of God is not
destroying. Yet now so dazzling was the light, and so dreadful was the
fire, that Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation,
at the door of which he attended, till the splendor was a little abated,
and the glory of the Lord retired within the veil. But what Moses could
not do, our Lord Jesus has done, whom God caused to draw near and approach,
and as the fore - runner he is for us entered, and has invited us to come
boldly even to the mercy - seat. He was able to enter into the holy place
not made with hands; he is himself the true tabernacle, filled with the
glory of God, even with that divine grace and truth which were figured
by this fire and light. In him the Shechinah took up its rest for ever,
for in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
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