Read Exodus 39,40
Pastor Brian shows us that the book of Exodus is meant to showcase the glory of God. Exodus ends with the presence of Yahweh entering the tabernacle. His continuing presence will be what distinguishes Israel from all other nations.
The cloud itself is not the presence of Yahweh. Yahweh dwells in the midst of the cloud while the cloud masks the Him from view. The cloud is a Theophany.
Glory is the whole Godness of God.
Why can’t Moses go into the presence of God anymore? The tabernacle is Yahweh’s house and access is denied unless He says.
God is the God of power, justice, love, providence, truth, mercy, holiness and glory. God makes provision for the High Priest to enter once a year for the Day of Atonement. This is a shadow of the direct indwelling of God living in believers through Jesus.
We don’t get to change what God requires. God provides a way to have access to fellowship with Him.
The cloud and fire have a distinct purpose to show God is with them continually and that He will guide them on their journey.
God’s goal is not to just rescue and save Israel but to have relationship with them. That hasn’t changed with us.
Exodus ends with God’s promise of His everlasting presence. Matthew 28:20 ends with Jesus promising His everlasting presence. Jesus is in our lives by the presence of His indwelling Spirit.
Hebrews 12:18-25 takes us from Mt Sinai to Mt Zion.
What is God trying to show us? The absolute unapproachableness of God. Why would God want man to fear Him? To understand that God is holy and man is a sinner. When we catch that picture, we can stand at the threshold of grace.
The problem with Sinai is that it provided no power to overcome sin. Sinai brings the law.
The seven glories we will see…
-God’s city: if you’re a believer you’re a citizen of Mt Zion. Our citizenship is in heaven.
-Angels: we’ll be gathering with a host of angels.
-Former and fellow believers: the firstborn in heaven.
-God: the judge of all. We come to Zion to meet the God of Sinai. Every day we grow into a more personal relationship with God but it never changes who He is.
-Departed faithful: being reunited with those who have gone before.
-Jesus: the mediator of the new covenant-drawing near with confidence.
-Sprinkled blood: Christ’s blood from the cross isn’t shouting out vengeance. It’s shouting out forgiveness and peace with God.
On the same mountain range of Zion is Calvary.
Holy Spirit living inside of us gives us the power to obedient and holy and to do the things He’s asked us to do.
Both mountains reveal the true God. Sinai-His consuming fire. Zion-His consuming love.
We all must start at Sinai. We run with endurance the marathon race to get us to Zion.
https://youtu.be/CIS3aTiKXos?si=rLIBGBIxmLRT2H9S
https://biblenote.topmusetech.com/shared/7d04199fe1194d15916014782897f835
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