Exodus 40: Moses Unable, ☧ Enters to Create Israel's Time

Rev. Ingo Dutzmann, retired LCMS pastor in Sebascodegan Island, Maine, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Exodus 40.

“Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” Although prior to Exodus 40 Moses had spoken to God “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend,” here in the final chapter God inhabits the Tabernacle in all His glory, such that no one—not even Moses—could enter and live. This reveals the sinful inadequacy of even the best of humanity, but it also points ahead to the Christ who would enter the heavenly Tabernacle to secure our perfect salvation. The multi-day consecration of the Tabernacle one year after the Exodus reminds us that only God creates time, as a gift to us His people, His new creation.