THE GLORY OF THE CLOUD
(Exodus 13:21,22; 40:3-38)
God's purpose in giving the instructions for building the TABERNACLE is stated plainly in (Ex. 25:8) - "THAT I MAY DWELL AMONG THEM."
[1]. This has been God's desire since the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:8).
[2]. It is seen in God's relationship with Enoch (Gen. 5:21-24); with Abraham (Gen. 12: 1-4); with Moses (Ex. 33:11); and with the Twelve (Mark 3: 14). God made man in His image that He might have fellowship with man, and His great heart of love is not satisfied apart from this fellowship.
[3]. THEREFORE: when the Tabernacle was finished and the furniture was all put in place according to the pattern and plan given by God - A CLOUD OF GLORY SETTLED DOWN that they would know that this was GOD'S DWELLING PLACE ON EARTH.
A. THIS CLOUD FIRST APPEARED when the Lord led the Children of Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 13:21,22).
[1]. When Pharaoh pursued them the CLOUD went behind them and stood between them and the Egyptians (Ex. 14:19,20).
[2]. The Egyptians perished in the Red Sea, and the CLOUD led the Children of Israel to Sinai, and abode there during the time Moses was on the Mount receiving the Law (Ex. 14:24; 40:38).
[3]. Then when the Tabernacle was finished and all things in order the CLOUD covered it (Ex. 40).
[4]. The TEST of all service is OBEDIENCE.
[5]. The Lord has given certain directions to Moses, therefore, when finished only one question did it correspond with the instructions?
[6]. Chapter - 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 42, 43 - TEN TIMES.
[7]. Chapter - 40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32 - EIGHT MORE TIMES.
B. TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE (l Sam. 15:22).
I. THE GLORY CLOUD, AND THE TABERNACLE, AND THE ISRAELITES -
Unique and distinct features about the CLOUD:
A. A PILLAR - (Ex. 13:21,22)
[1]. Pillar of CLOUD - to lead by DAY.
[2]. Pillar of FIRE - to give light by NIGHT.
[3]. When night began to fall in the late afternoon the Pillar of CLOUD would gradually transform into a Pillar of FIRE - what an awesome sight it must have been, and yet a glorious sight!
B. SIGNIFIED HIS PEOPLE - (Ex. 40:34,35)
[1]. "The glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle".
[2]. The repetition here is interesting, it calls to our attention that the Lord was there FILLING the Tabernacle, thus these were HIS PEOPLE (2 Cor. 6:16).
C. THE CLOUD WAS A GUIDE AND PROTECTOR -
[1]. The Israelites were going into an unknown land - how would they be guided and protected?
[2]. The CLOUD went BEFORE THEM, and stood BEHIND THEM - to lead and protect: The Israelites were led to safety and blessing, and the Egyptians to destruction.
D. THEY MOVED OR STAYED WITH THE CLOUD -
[1]. The CLOUD regulated all the movements of the Children of Israel.
[2]. At the command of the Lord, the Children of Israel journeyed, and at the command of the Lord they pitched the Tabernacle (Num. 9:17-23).
[3]. "Whether two days, month, or a year..." what SUPREME AUTHORITY AND POWER on God's part; and OBEDIENCE AND DISCIPLINE on the part of the Israelites.
[4]. There was no opportunity for an individual Israelite to move in independent action apart from God's command.
[5]. The PEOPLE DID NOT CHOOSE the journey, when to march, or when to halt, or to march at sunrise or at midnight; nor choose the place to camp - by water in the desert - NO CHOICE AT ALL - THE CHOICE WAS GOD'S.
E. THE CLOUD SEPARATED THEM -
[1]. The CLOUD was the evidence and seal of the Lord's presence with the Children of Israel and separated them from all other peoples (Ex. 33:1416).
[2]. Even Egypt could not come near them (Ex. 14:19, 20).
F. THE CLOUD NEVER LEFT THEM (Ex. 13:22) -
[1]. The CLOUD never left the Children of Israel in their wilderness.
[2]. Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon men, but never took permanent abode; but now, we have the Spirit of God never to be without Him (Eph. 4:30).
II. THE GLORY CLOUD AND TODAY - (I Cor. 10:11 and Rom. 15:4)
[1]. The TABERNACLE and the GLORY CLOUD were not merely historical facts alone; but examples and foreshadows of greater truths.
[2]. GOD'S PRESENCE IN THE CHRISTIAN TODAY - (1 Cor. 6: 19; 3: 16,17) 1).
A. THE CLOUD WAS A SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT -
(And the written Word) by and through whom the Lord would manifest Himself to, in. on, and with the believer in this present age (John 14:16-18; Matt. 28:20; Acts 2:3; John 16:13-15; Rom. 13: 12; 1 Cor. 2:4; Rom. 8:11).
B. THE BELIEVER MUST GIVE ACCOUNT -
[1]. For the way in which we have submitted to the Holy Spirit and His rule over our lives.
[2]. We are responsible for this - permitting the Holy Spirit to rule.
[3]. We make excuse too often and too easy for ourselves, and are quick to accuse others.
[4]. We are not our own, but God's. To pursue our own way, making money, raising families, indulging in things pleasing to the flesh, and to ignore the Lord's authority is to put ourselves in danger (I Cor. 9:27; Heb. 12:6).
C. GOD DESIRES A GLORY CLOUD TODAY -
Which will make men take notice that He dwells in the world that is, in us (I Pet. 2:9)
[1]. God's supreme objective in the believer's life is to be FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, the LORD'S GLORY (Eph. 5:18).
[2]. The SPIRIT - FILLED (possessed) LIFE is the NORMAL LIFE FOR THE BELIEVER.
[3]. Will bear FRUIT (Gal. 5:22,23) - what a cluster!
[4]. In relation to God - love, joy, peace.
[5]. In relation to our fellow man - longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness.
[6]. For our individual Christian life - faith, meekness, temperance (control).
[7]. We can block the purpose of the Spirit in our lives
(a). Grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:30) by refusing His leading.
(b). Lie to the Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) in matters of consecration and service.
(c). Quenching the Spirit (I Thess. 5:19) - lost power by unfaithfulness, disobedience, critical spirit, resisting His fire in us.
OTHERS MAY....BUT I CANNOT!
Note: This lesson from the Old Testament is on the Jewish Tabernacle during the time of Moses. Taught by Dr. James Modlish.
