When?

Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle. [Exodus 40.24]

Key word here is "then." So, if "then" is the key word in this sentence, one must inquire "when?"

Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work. [Exodus 40.33]

When? When Moses finished the work of setting up the Tabernacle.

The details of setting up the Tabernacle have significance. They would have to because when it was all done, God came. Of course the Tabernacle is now a thing of history as far as Christianity goes - however, just because it is a thing of history does not mean it has no significance to modern believers! In fact, may indeed have more significance now than it did when it was in use! How?

Let's start right at the first - first things first. What was described first about the Tabernacle? The Ark of the Covenant and its Atonement Cover - the Mercy Seat - the place God met with the High Priest. God no longer utilizes the Ark of the Covenant to speak to man. Today, God speaks to man's heart. So how important is that? Right?

In Jesus' tenure on the Cross, the veil in the Temple (the permanent Tabernacle) was torn. So, in the case of the Tabernacle, for the veil to be removed means the Ark of the Covenant (the heart) is exposed to the Table of the Bread of God's Presence, the Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense. In short, the Bread is God's Word (and Jesus' Body), the Lampstand is the Holy Spirit, and the Incense is prayer. So, the modern believer's heart where he meets with God is in the "same room" as the Word of God (Jesus), the Holy Spirit, and prayer.

Bear with me... so with the Ark, the Bread, the Lampstand, and prayer all now united, there remains no need for the separation between the Holy Place and the Altar for Burnt Offerings. In fact, both the washbasin outside the Holy Place and the Altar are no longer necessary because the Bread (Jesus) provides the blood sacrifice and simultaneously provides the Word (water) for washing - both required to enter God's presence!

I know this is a sloppy presentation of this, but it is a start, right? We must understand that Jesus has made it possible for us to relate to God at our heart level without need for the Tabernacle or Temple and their personnel. All we need to speak to God is the blood and body of Jesus, the Holy Spirit and prayer.

"When" then comes back into the picture. None of this happens for any individual until he or she repents before God. That repentance might be seen as the "removing of the veil." It utilizes all that is necessary to relate to God - Jesus (Bread), the Holy Spirit (Lamp), and our prayer. That veil in the Temple was torn when Jesus's blood was shed on the Cross. Everything "comes together" for us to relate to God when we understand that fact: without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.

There is so much imagery in the Bible. And order.

Father, thank You for all that You have shown us in the Old Testament that relates directly to our relationship with You today!