July 20, 2025
Exodus 40
“God in the Camp”
Service Overview: Exodus ends not with rules or rebellion, but with glory. As the tabernacle is set up and anointed, the Lord Himself descends to dwell among His people. Exodus 40 reminds us that God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people and guide them—not just then, but still today.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Ephesians 2:22 – And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Background & Technical Insights:
- The erection of the tabernacle takes place “on the first day of the first month.” The timing is hardly coincidental. God’s coming to dwell among the Israelites is an important landmark in the history of the Israelites. It marks a new beginning and appropriately happens on the first day of a new year. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 300)
- 40:33 says, “And so Moses finished the work”. The words “completed” and “finished” are the same word in Hebrew. And it’s the word used to describe the completion of creation in Genesis 2:1-2: “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing”. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 254)
- 1– 5 Since the Hebrews entered the Sinai desert in the third month after the exodus (19:1), and since Moses was on Mount Sinai for two forty-day periods (24:18; 34:28) plus the events covered in 19:1–24:11 and chs. 32–33, the building of the tabernacle has taken less than six months’ time. (Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Exodus, Location 8116)
- The cloud and the glory of Yahweh have featured prominently throughout the story so far, as visible assurance of the presence of God.8 So it is natural and appropriate that they return here for the same reason. And they return with emphatic repetition (vv. 34, 35) and astonishing promptness. There is no break between verses 33 and 34, not even the word “then” (NIV). We could easily translate, “No sooner had Moses finished the work than the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” It’s as if God could not wait to be where he had wanted to be all along—in the midst of his people. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 609)
- The timing of this was significant: the first day of the first month. In other words, God told Moses to set up the tabernacle on the anniversary of Israel’s exodus from Egypt — one year to the very day. This made a clear connection between what happened at the Red Sea and what happened at the tabernacle. The erection of the tabernacle was the culmination of everything that God had been working for since he first brought his people out of Egypt. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1156)
What does this climactic moment in Exodus have to teach us?
- God seeks to dwell with those who obey His Word.
(vv. 1–33; cf. Ex. 19:5; Deut. 5:33; Ps. 119:1-2; Is. 66:2; Luke 11:28; John 14:23)
The word commanded is used eighteen times in Exodus 39 and 40 to remind us that the workers did what God had told them to do. Moses was a faithful servant who did all that God told him to do (Heb. 3:1–6). (Warren Wiersbe, Exodus, 202)
Moses did everything just as the LORD commanded him. As the Israelites were faithful in constructing everything as “the LORD commanded” (cf. 39:32), so Moses also complies fully with the Lord’s instructions. This is confirmed not only by the summary statement made in verse 16 but through the repetition of the phrase “as the LORD commanded him” in verses 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 300)
- God’s glory is revealed to those who make room for it.
(vv. 34–35; cf. 2 Chr. 5:13-14; Mat. 5:8; Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Eph. 3:16-19)
This glory is the climax of the construction of the tabernacle; and it’s the climax of the story of the exodus. God has rescued his people from slavery and death so that they can enjoy his presence and see his glory. Everything so far has been leading up to this moment. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 259)
God is the only being in all of existence who can be said to possess inherent glory. We don’t give it to Him; it is His by virtue of who He is. If no one ever gave God any praise, He would still be the glorious God that He is, because He was glorious before any beings were created to worship Him… His glory is His being – simply the sum of what He is, regardless of what we do or do not do in recognition of it. (John MacArthur, The Ultimate Priority, 128)
- God offers His presence to guide those who trust Him.
(vv. 36–38; cf. Ps. 25:4-5; 32:8; Prov. 3:5-6; Is. 30:21; John 10:27; 16:13; Rom. 8:14)
Having rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and having guided them through the wilderness to Mount Sinai, God now comes to dwell among them. The significance of this event cannot be overstated. It represents a major new development in God’s plan of redemption, as he comes to reside on earth with his people. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 301)
The same glorious cloud that kept them away would also stay with them to guide them. This is why God came down in glory — so he could be close to them. Thus the book of Exodus ends with these words: “In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out — until the day it lifted. …These words gave the Israelites assurance that the God of all glory would be present to grant them all the blessings of his saving grace. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1161)
Conclusion: How does this final account in Exodus shape our lives as followers of Jesus?
- It calls us to walk in obedience, as those devoted to God’s Word.
(Josh. 1:8; 1 Sam. 15:22; John 14:15; Rom. 12:1; 1 Thes. 4:1; Heb. 13:21; 1 John 5:3)
The further you go in obedience, the more you see of God’s plan. God doesn’t often tell us the end from the beginning. He prefers to lead us on step-by-step in dependence upon Him. (Iain Duguid, Living in the Gap Between Promise and Reality, 55)
Too many sincere people have tried to do God’s work their own way and then have asked God to bless it. But ministry doesn’t work that way. First we find out what God wants us to do, and we do it to glorify Him. If we obey His will and seek to honor His name, then He will come and bless the work with His powerful presence. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 203)
- It challenges us to create space for God’s glory in our everyday lives.
(Is. 26:3; Matt. 6:6; Rom. 8:5-6; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 5:18-20; Col. 3:1-2; Rev. 3:20)
As God’s presence filled the tabernacle and temple, so through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost God comes to dwell within the church, an ever-growing temple. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 302)
Because you and I are in Christ Jesus, His glory and our good are linked together. Because we are united with Christ, whatever is for His glory is also for our good. And whatever is for our good is for His glory. (Jerry Bridges, Trusting God, 144)
- It compels us to follow God’s lead with trust and attentiveness.
(Ex. 33:15; Ps. 23:1-3; 37:5; 143:10; Is. 58:11; Jer. 29:11; John 12:26; Rom. 8:26-28)
To all who trust in him, Jesus has given the promise of his everlasting presence. This is one of the last promises that he gave to his disciples: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Just as God was with the Israelites to the end of their journey, so Jesus has promised to be with us forever. He is in our lives by the presence of his indwelling Spirit. He is guardian and our guide, our help and comfort for the road that lies ahead. In all our travels, and through all our troubles, the God of glory will be with us. (Ryken, Exodus, 1163)
Dependence on the Spirit does not mean inactivity, but it does mean activating our faith before we activate our wills. (Bill Thrasher, A Journey to Victorious Praying, 215)
Gospel Connection…
Because of Christ, we are both the dwelling place of God and a people led by His Spirit. God not only visits—He abides. Not only saves—He stays.
(John 1:14; 14:16-17; 1 Cor. 6:19; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:21-22; 3:17; Col. 1:27; Rev. 21:3)
The story of the exodus is, as we have seen, a blueprint of the means of salvation. We are redeemed from slavery and death through the blood of sacrifice. But the book of Exodus also contains a blueprint of the content of salvation. The tabernacle doesn’t just happen to be like the new creation—it’s deliberately designed to be a picture of the new creation. The tabernacle is the architect’s model, a visual representation of the promise that God will dwell among his people. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 251)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What does it mean to you that God desires to dwell with His people?
- Why is obedience to God’s Word essential in experiencing His presence?
- What specific ways can we “make room” for God’s glory in our lives today?
- What tends to crowd out space for God’s presence in your heart or home?
- When have you sensed the glory of God in a powerful or personal way?
- In what areas of life do you find it hardest to trust God’s leading?
- How does Exodus 40 connect to the work of Jesus and the Gospel?
Quotes to note…
The daily experience of Christ’s love is linked to our obedience to Him. It is not that His love is conditioned on our obedience. That would be legalism. But our experience of His love is dependent upon our obedience. (Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, 154)
In this world, the church can give witness to the reality of the kingdom—God dwells in our midst. When the world sees us, it should know that something eternal is touching space-time and something new is coming. Our presence should create anticipation, but the fullness of the kingdom will never be ushered in through human efforts. We are waiting for Jesus, the Bridegroom of the church. When he returns, the glory of God will come and the true celebrations begin. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 305)
Where love is the compelling power, there is no sense of strain or conflict or bondage in doing what is right: the man or woman who is compelled by Jesus’ love and empowered by His Spirit does the will of God from the heart. (F.F. Bruce, Paul – Apostle of the Heart Set Free, 21)
God today doesn’t live in buildings (Acts 7:48–50). Buildings are dedicated to God to be used as tools for His work and His workers. But God does dwell in His people, and it’s our responsibility to glorify God individually (1 Cor. 6:20) and collectively (14:23–25). (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 204)
In our redemption by Christ we have the fullest, clearest, and most delightful manifestation of the glory of God that ever was or shall be in this life. All the declarations and manifestations that we have of His glory in the works of creation and common providence, are but dim and obscure in comparison with what is here. Indeed the glory of His wisdom, power, and goodness, is clearly manifested in the works of creation. But the glory of His mercy and love had lain under an eternal eclipse without a Redeemer. (Thomas Boston, Of the Decrees of God, Commentary on the Shorter Catechism)
Where is God’s glory today? The body of every true believer is the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19–20), but so is the local church (3:10–23) and the church universal (Eph. 2:20–22). When Solomon finished the temple, the glory of God moved in, but when God finishes building His church, He will move the church out! Then we will share God’s glory in heaven for all eternity! “And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light” (Rev. 21:23 NKJV). (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 204)
We end the book of Exodus with this expectation: the living God is among us and will be at work among us. The God who appeared to Moses, who sent the plagues, who rescued his people, who parted the waters, who provided in the desert, who spoke his law, who designed the tabernacle, who passed by Moses… that God is among us, and will be at work among us. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 265)