Exodus 40:34-38·~1 min

The Cloud and the Glory

The cloud covers the Tent of Meeting and the LORD’s glory fills the tabernacle so completely that Moses cannot enter.

T³⁴hen the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. ³⁵Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

The cloud’s movement now directs Israel’s travel, and when it remains, they stay in place. By day the cloud rests over the tabernacle, and by night it burns with fire before all Israel.

³⁶Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out through all the stages of their journey. ³⁷If the cloud was not lifted, they would not set out until the day it was taken up. ³⁸For 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 house of Israel through all their journeys.

Section summaryWhen the tabernacle is finished, the cloud covers it and the LORD’s glory fills it so fully that even Moses cannot enter. From then on, the cloud’s rising and resting governs Israel’s journey, with fire in it by night before all the people.

Role in the chapterThis closing section shows the answer to all the work that came before: God truly takes up residence among His people. It also turns the tabernacle from a finished structure into the visible center of Israel’s onward journey.