34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys. Exodus 40:34-38
As we soon approach summer, one thing that is not always a welcome sight is clouds. Cloudy days can be dark and depressing. Cloudy days can ruin the plans that we had for fun in the sun. Cloudy days can bring rain and thunderstorms, which, for some, can be either enjoyable or frightening. Regardless, clouds are not often welcome sights, especially when it comes to summer.
For the people of Israel, a cloudy day symbolized something else. For them, a cloud was a welcome sight. As we finish our time in Exodus, I thought it was important to touch on this last event in the book of Exodus. In the prior chapters, Moses received instructions about the Tabernacle and its vessels, and he talks about their construction. In chapter 40, it finally all comes together. What they had been waiting for and working for finally is finished. Once it was done, something amazing happened!
Moses tells us that “the cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” The cloud filled it so much that he was not able to enter the tent of meeting! He also adds that when the cloud left the tabernacle they would set out, and when it would stay, they would stay. Regardless of what happened and where they would go, the LORD was with them. “For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” Cloudy days are not always bad things! The LORD was with them….
…and He is with us as well. How so? How is the LORD with us? He is with us in His Word, our baptism, and in His Supper. In these places, God has promised to be in Christ. In these places, Christ lives in and with us. Your summer and life forecast say that clouds are in your future. However, the LORD is with you and will be with you as you face those days together. You have the Son in your future.
Pastor Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XX, Number 10, May 2019)