God With Us: Exodus 35–40
Reading for Monday 4.11 – Friday 4.15
The story of Israel’s liberation into divine relationship is our story in so many ways. As we enter Holy Week we are left with the reminder that divine deliverance is and was always about restoration into divine relationship. The emancipating God liberates us from the empire of the present evil age and into divine communion.
//
Read Exodus 35–40
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lordfilled the tabernacle…So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.”
Exodus 40:34 (Revised Standard Version)
//
God With Us
The exodus of Israel out of slavery and into covenant with Yahweh comes to its end. In the face of Israel's rejection of Yahweh and Yahweh's covenant, God has shown that He is a God of compassion, patience, and steadfast love. The empire's powers, riches, and prestige that enslaved them are now far behind them. Israel is left with Yahweh and Yahweh's instructions.
The people show a renewed commitment to God, willingly offering their newfound riches (Ex. 12:35-36) in service of Yahweh (35:20-29). The detail and craftsmanship highlight the care that went into this project. It contrasts with the haste of the golden calf. This is no short-term, fickle arrangement between God and humanity. Emancipation from the empire of Pharaoh means enduring liberation into the embrace of Yahweh's presence. Life with God was always the goal. In the concluding moments of Exodus, God's presence finally settles among the people, and for a moment, we catch a glimpse of paradise restored on earth.
Divine deliverance always moves towards divine relationship. As we enter Holy Week, we should remember this. Holy Week can be a somber time. Yet all of the shame, guilt, and disappointment of our brokenness has been overcome. Our relationship with God is restored. We are not only liberated; the divine presence dwells with us. We should not get so mired in reflecting on our enslavement that we forget we have been joyously freed into a rich life with God.
But more than this, we, in much greater measure than Israel, experience the fiery indwelling of Yahweh's presence here and now. The same emancipating God that brought an empire to its knees, the same thunderous presence that descended on Mount Sinai, and the same billowing smoke that inhabited the tabernacle's holy place is the same one who dwells in us.
God has liberated us in Jesus so that we might live with God forever. He is for us. He is carrying us. He is with us, even to the end of the age.
//
Reflect with a friend
Reflect on the whole of Exodus. What aspects of it have spoken to you the most over Lent this year?
Is the reality that God’s Spirit dwells with you one you regularly consider? Why do you think this is? How does being mindful of this reality change your perception of daily life?
Spend a moment reflecting on God’s liberation this week. Spend some time praying a prayer of thanksgiving with one another.
//
Holy Week
Good Friday Service 7:30p
Easter Service 10a
