34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
The Lord has delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, passing them all through the Red Sea, saving them from the chariots of Egypt. He has given Moses instructions on setting up a place of worship for this new nation and those instructions have been carried out. Now this new worship center has been set up and the Lord comes and fills the place. The people can see His presence. There is no doubt that the Lord has arrived. The people had seen the cloud of His presence when they were being led out of Egypt. It showed them when to move and when to stay still. Now that presence rests on their new worship center. But this new worship center is all about sin and sacrifice, about the holiness of the Lord and the need for separation. It is about cleansing and purity. And all these were given to help the people recognize their need for grace. Every law was designed to show them the character of the Lord. Every standard was established so that they might fail and come asking for grace and mercy. When we discipline our children, we need to be consistent in our own lives. Discipline is about grace and mercy. It is about relationship. When we impose a standard, it is for their safety and their training in relationship. The Israelites were learning how to live with each other and live with the Lord. The visible cloud and glory let them know that this was His place, established in their midst so that they could be in right relationship with Him and with each other. Do you have any visible reminders of His grace in your life?
The Arnold Journey 