Exodus 40 — Thoughts

Are you Jealous of a Cloud?

I used to read about the pillar of cloud and fire that led Israel through the wilderness and envy them. Sure, they were a homeless nation — but they had a visible representation of God Himself guiding them!

In this chapter, they get to see the cloud rest of the Tabernacle and the glory of the Lord fill the tent. Amazing. If I had been there, I would have thrown a party to celebrate.

But as I read this final chapter of Exodus, I couldn’t help but think of the second chapter of Acts. There, God’s presence also rested among His people when the disciples saw tongues of fire come out of heaven, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Like the Pillar of Cloud, the Holy Spirit was God’s presence among them. And like the Pillar of Cloud, the Holy Spirit was there to guide them. But unlike the Pillar of Could, the Holy Spirit doesn’t rest on a tent — He lives INSIDE US.

We might not get to see the Holy Spirit like the Israelites saw the Pillar of Cloud, but thanks to the work of Jesus, we have a more intimate relationship with God today than anyone had in history before.