The Presence of God
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
This final chapter is the culmination of God’s mission in Exodus: creating a holy space to dwell among his people. It is the whole story of Scripture, and seeing God’s movement towards us—from the Garden, to Jesus, to Pentecost—should help us look forward in hope to the ultimate expression of God’s presence with us in the new Heaven and new Earth.
Study Questions
Application
Once God descended on the completed Tabernacle, the Israelites had a constant, visible reminder of his presence among them. Each day, they would see it and had to decide if they would live in light of his presence. If you are a Christian, you have God’s Spirit inside you. How does that impact the decisions you make each day?
As you reflect on the story of Exodus and consider that God’s mission is still to rescue people out of bondage for intimate relationship with him, look back on how God has pursued you. Take some time to thank him through prayer or by sharing your story with someone who needs to hear it.
Key Points
Because of the gap between us and God, the priest—someone to intercede to God for his people—is a non-negotiable for all time. Jesus is our perfect priest forever.
God has never wanted distance from people; that was their idea. Since the Fall, he has been pursuing us and making a way to restore fellowship with him.
The question of the Bible is not, “How does a loving God judge people?” It is, “How does a holy God not judge people?” The Bible is the story of God moving toward sinful, rebellious people out of mercy, compassion, and unfailing love, and transforming them, through Jesus, into a holy nation.