• 4 months ago
Transcript
00:00Yes, no, yes.
00:04Does Moses get a surprise when he finds the way into the tabernacle barred against him?
00:09He has been in and out of the great tent in the course of superintending its erection
00:13and has been scrupulous in observing its requirements.
00:18But now that the divine resident has taken up occupation there, everything is different.
00:24The people of the golden calf cannot find a place with the holy glory.
00:28The Lord is certainly at home among his people, but his house is not open to callers.
00:34Thankfully, however, so much remains unchanged.
00:39As the hymn puts it, round each habitation hovering, see the cloud and fire appear.
00:45For a glory and a covering showing that the Lord is near.
00:49The faithful God, just as before, marks his presence, protects his people, oversees their
00:54pilgrimage and guides them home, ever present, ever watchful and ever caring.
01:00But the presence is a holy presence.
01:03The cloud which proclaims also hides.
01:06The fire which lights is the fire of holy wrath against sin.
01:10The tabernacle is complete, but it cannot be open.
01:14This is the point at which it is important to read from Exodus into Leviticus.
01:19In Leviticus 1 verse 2 the verb brings actually means to bring near, and the word offering
01:24comes from the same verb.
01:27In order to make this wording clearer, we could render the verse as,
01:31When anyone brings near a bringing near to the Lord, you shall bring near your bringing
01:35near.
01:36Do you see the significance of this?
01:39In effect, the Lord is saying to Moses, You can't come near but I provide for you a bringing
01:43near.
01:45The Holy One in all his glory is unapproachable, but
01:49with the sacrifice he has appointed his people can approach and be accepted.
01:54This is certainly what the tabernacle is all about.
01:58It is a provision by which sinners can safely enjoy the presence of God.
02:03It is what Exodus is all about, I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
02:09It is indeed what Jesus is all about, who died just for the unjust, that he might bring
02:14us to God.
02:16Reflection Rejoice that the people of God have washed
02:20their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
02:23Therefore they are before the throne of God.