As The Lord Commanded

A number at SGUC are reading through the Bible with the Discipleship Journal Reading Plan. Yesterday’s selections included Exodus 39-40, where we find the recurring phrase,  “. . .as the LORD had commanded Moses.” If I counted right, these words–with minor variation–occur 18 times in the last two chapters! What’s happening here? Exodus 39-40 describe the final preparations of the tabernacle. The finishing touches are placed on the priestly garments, all the furnishings and utensils are brought together, and the tabernacle itself is set up for the first time. At each juncture we are reminded all of these things were done, “. . .as the LORD had commanded Moses.” Now there is much about these specifics that may have been bewildering to the children of Israel. Why these items, constructed of these materials, with these dimensions? God didn’t reveal the exact answers to his people, but they obeyed and followed his instructions to the letter. We are reminded time and again in the final chapters that all these preparations were done exactly as he had prescribed–whether the people understood all the reasons or not. And what followed this obedience? Exodus 40:33 describes Moses finishing the work of setting up the tabernacle. And in the next verse we read these staggering words, “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34, ESV) Exodus ends with the glory of God present in the midst of his people! Surely this glorious finale to the book would not have been possible had the people failed to do all “. . .as the LORD had commanded Moses” in constructing the tabernacle. This passage is a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience. Like the children of Israel, we may find there are things along the way we do not understand. But this is quite beside the point. What is crucial is our obedience. The final paragraphs of Exodus underscore this truth. And knowing one day we will personally experience the glory of God serves as a joyful motivation. –Pastor Greg