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The Tabernacle
This lesson from the Old Testament is on the Jewish Tabernacle during the time
of Moses.
This lesson was taught by Dr. James Modlish
Lesson Ten
THE GLORY OF THE CLOUD
(Exodus 13:21,22; 40:33-38)
God's purpose in giving the instructions for building the TABERNACLE is stated
plainly in (Ex. 25:8) - "THAT I MAY DWELL AMONG THEM."
[1]. This has been God's desire since the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:8).
[2]. It is seen in God's relationship with Enoch (Gen. 5:21-24); with
Abraham (Gen. 12: 1-4); with Moses (Ex. 33:11); and with the Twelve (Mark 3:
14). God made man in His image that He might have fellowship with man, and His
great heart of love is not satisfied apart from this fellowship.
[3]. THEREFORE: when the Tabernacle was finished and the furniture was all
put in place according to the pattern and plan given by God - A CLOUD OF GLORY
SETTLED DOWN that they would know that this was GOD'S DWELLING PLACE ON EARTH.
A. THIS CLOUD FIRST APPEARED when the Lord led the Children of Israel out of
Egypt (Ex. 13:21,22).
[1]. When Pharaoh pursued them the CLOUD went behind them and stood between
them and the Egyptians (Ex. 14:19,20).
[2]. The Egyptians perished in the Red Sea, and the CLOUD led the Children
of Israel to Sinai, and abode there during the time Moses was on the Mount
receiving the Law (Ex. 14:24; 40:38).
[3]. Then when the Tabernacle was finished and all things in order the
CLOUD covered it (Ex. 40).
[4]. The TEST of all service is OBEDIENCE.
[5]. The Lord has given certain directions to Moses, therefore, when
finished only one question did it correspond with the instructions?
[6]. Chapter - 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 42, 43 - TEN TIMES.
[7]. Chapter - 40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32 - EIGHT MORE TIMES.
B. TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE (l Sam. 15:22).
I. THE GLORY CLOUD, AND THE TABERNACLE, AND THE ISRAELITES -
Unique and distinct features about the CLOUD:
A. A PILLAR - (Ex. 13:21,22)
[1]. Pillar of CLOUD - to lead by DAY.
[2]. Pillar of FIRE - to give light by NIGHT.
[3]. When night began to fall in the late afternoon the Pillar of CLOUD
would gradually transform into a Pillar of FIRE - what an awesome sight it must
have been, and yet a glorious sight!
B. SIGNIFIED HIS PEOPLE - (Ex. 40:34,35)
[1]. "The glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle".
[2]. The repetition here is interesting, it calls to our attention that the
Lord was there FILLING the Tabernacle, thus these were HIS PEOPLE (2 Cor. 6:16).
C. THE CLOUD WAS A GUIDE AND PROTECTOR -
[1]. The Israelites were going into an unknown land - how would they be
guided and protected?
[2]. The CLOUD went BEFORE THEM, and stood BEHIND THEM - to lead and
protect: The Israelites were led to safety and blessing, and the Egyptians to
destruction.
D. THEY MOVED OR STAYED WITH THE CLOUD -
[1]. The CLOUD regulated all the movements of the Children of Israel.
[2]. At the command of the Lord, the Children of Israel journeyed, and at
the command of the Lord they pitched the Tabernacle (Num. 9:17-23).
[3]. "Whether two days, month, or a year..." what SUPREME AUTHORITY AND
POWER on God's part; and OBEDIENCE AND DISCIPLINE on the part of the Israelites.
[4]. There was no opportunity for an individual Israelite to move in
independent action apart from God's command.
[5]. The PEOPLE DID NOT CHOOSE the journey, when to march, or when to halt,
or to march at sunrise or at midnight; nor choose the place to camp - by water
in the desert - NO CHOICE AT ALL - THE CHOICE WAS GOD'S.
E. THE CLOUD SEPARATED THEM -
[1]. The CLOUD was the evidence and seal of the Lord's presence with the
Children of Israel and separated them from all other peoples (Ex. 33:1416).
[2]. Even Egypt could not come near them (Ex. 14:19, 20).
F. THE CLOUD NEVER LEFT THEM (Ex. 13:22) -
[1]. The CLOUD never left the Children of Israel in their wilderness.
[2]. Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon men, but never took
permanent abode; but now, we have the Spirit of God never to be without Him
(Eph. 4:30).
II. THE GLORY CLOUD AND TODAY - (I Cor. 10:11 and Rom. 15:4)
[1]. The TABERNACLE and the GLORY CLOUD were not merely historical facts
alone; but examples and foreshadows of greater truths.
[2]. GOD'S PRESENCE IN THE CHRISTIAN TODAY - (1 Cor. 6: 19; 3: 16,17) 1).
A. THE CLOUD WAS A SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT -
(And the written Word) by and through whom the Lord would manifest Himself
to, in. on, and with the believer in this present age (John 14:16-18; Matt.
28:20; Acts 2:3; John 16:13-15; Rom. 13: 12; 1 Cor. 2:4; Rom. 8:11).
B. THE BELIEVER MUST GIVE ACCOUNT -
[1]. For the way in which we have submitted to the Holy Spirit and His rule
over our lives.
[2]. We are responsible for this - permitting the Holy Spirit to rule.
[3]. We make excuse too often and too easy for ourselves, and are quick to
accuse others.
[4]. We are not our own, but God's. To pursue our own way, making money,
raising families, indulging in things pleasing to the flesh, and to ignore the
Lord's authority is to put ourselves in danger (I Cor. 9:27; Heb. 12:6).
C. GOD DESIRES A GLORY CLOUD TODAY -
Which will make men take notice that He dwells in the world that is, in us (I
Pet. 2:9)
[1]. God's supreme objective in the believer's life is to be FILLED WITH
THE SPIRIT, the LORD'S GLORY (Eph. 5:18).
[2]. The SPIRIT - FILLED (possessed) LIFE is the NORMAL LIFE FOR THE
BELIEVER.
[3]. Will bear FRUIT (Gal. 5:22,23) - what a cluster!
[4]. In relation to God - love, joy, peace.
[5]. In relation to our fellow man - longsuffering, gentleness, and
goodness.
[6]. For our individual Christian life - faith, meekness, temperance
(control).
[7]. We can block the purpose of the Spirit in our lives
(a). Grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:30) by refusing His leading.
(b). Lie to the Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) in matters of consecration and
service.
(c). Quenching the Spirit (I Thess. 5:19) - lost power by unfaithfulness,
disobedience, critical spirit, resisting His fire in us.
OTHERS MAY....BUT I CANNOT!!!
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