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Exodus 29:44–46
“I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God” (vv. 45–46).
Today our study of the book of Exodus comes to an end, and we pray that our look at this portion of God’s Word has been edifying to you. May we ever treasure its truth so that we will continue growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God gave us the book of Exodus so that we would fear Him and believe His revelation through Moses (Ex. 14:31). In the history of the Lord’s salvation of Israel, we find ample reasons for fearing the Lord. Several millennia ago, the Israelites found themselves enslaved in Egypt, servants to an evil king who did not know our Creator. God was with the Israelites in their suffering, prospering them and raising up a man to lead them out of slavery (Ex. 1–2). The Lord called this leader, Moses, as His prophet to deliver His words to His people and rescue them from Pharaoh (Ex. 3–4). Because the king of Egypt’s heart was hardened against God, our Lord did battle with him and with his gods in order to prove that He is to be feared—respected and worshiped—by all people. Through a series of miraculous plagues, the Lord convinced Pharaoh to let His people go, defeating Egypt’s monarch fully and finally at the Red Sea (Ex. 5–15).
God saved the Israelites so that they would be His people and worship Him according to His Word. He proved that they were His special possession by leading them through the wilderness and meeting their needs even when they were ungrateful to Him (Ex. 16–18). They covenanted to be His people and follow His law, which they received at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19–24). Our Creator then signified His willingness to be with them permanently by delivering plans for a tabernacle where He would reside among them (Ex. 25–31). Despite the grace that the Lord showed Israel in saving them from Egypt, the people broke the covenant by worshiping a golden calf. Nevertheless, when Moses interceded and the nation purged the flagrant idolaters from among them, God forgave them and reinstituted the covenant (Ex. 32–34). With great joy, the people constructed the tabernacle according to God’s design, and the Lord took up residence in the tent sanctuary (Ex. 35–40). This indicated that God approved of the work and that the words given to them through Moses were trustworthy.
God’s dwelling in a tent was not Israel’s final hope, however. Moses knew that we would need a second exodus to save us from sin and death. He writes ultimately of a better covenant Mediator, Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of God dwells (John 5:46; Col. 2:9).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Today, some Christians are looking for a rebuilt tabernacle or temple as part of an age of glory in which Christ is reigning. That expectation overlooks the final aim of Moses and the book of Exodus, which is not a tabernacle or temple but the incarnation. It is a mistake to look for a return to ceremonies and structures of the old covenant even if we add Jesus to them. Jesus Himself is the goal of the old covenant revelation.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
- Exodus 7:16
- Exodus 33:12–16
- Matthew 2:13–15