Chapter 4 · Encounter 38 of 48
A Tent in the Wilderness
Prepare
Israel has been rescued from Egypt, but they’re still in the wilderness. And it's here that God commands them to build a sanctuary, explaining why he wants it constructed.
As you read, notice the purpose of the sanctuary, what happens when God's glory fills it, and how his presence accompanies Israel throughout their journey.
Read Scripture
Open each passage here without leaving this Encounter.
Exodus 25:8-9
8“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
Exodus 40:34-38
The Glory of the Lord
34Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
36In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.
Ponder
- In Exodus 25:8, God explains that the sanctuary is to be built so that he may dwell among his people. What does this reveal about the God who has rescued Israel? How does his willingness to dwell among a people still learning to trust and follow him deepen your understanding of his character?
Exodus 25:8
8“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.
- At the end of Exodus, God's glory fills the tabernacle so completely that Moses cannot enter. Yet the same presence guides Israel throughout their journey. What do these two aspects of God's presence reveal about his holiness and his care? How do you hold together God’s nearness and his overwhelming glory? Which one do you tend to forget?
Exodus 40:34-35
The Glory of the Lord
34Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Look Again
Return to Exodus 40:36–38 36In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.Exodus 40:36-38
When the cloud lifts, Israel sets out. When it remains, they stay.
The God who dwells among them is also the God who leads them. His presence isn't merely a comfort in the camp; it guides the journey.
Think back to Jesus' description of the Shepherd who goes ahead of his sheep in John 10:4 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4
Practice
Choose a quiet place and a few minutes today to attend deliberately to God's presence.
Read Exodus 25:8 8“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Exodus 25:8
Rather than asking first for guidance about what you should do, spend a moment simply acknowledging who he is and his desire to be with his people.
Prayer
Thank God for choosing to dwell among his people and accompany them in the middle of unfinished journeys. Ask him to deepen your attentiveness to his presence and your willingness to follow his leading.