Exodus 33:1-17, YAHWEH-Shammah (2)

·       Exodus 25:21-22: We noted that God’s first dwelling in Israel was the sanctuary in the tabernacle.  More precisely, His dwelling in the holy place was on the gold mercy seat on top of the Ark of the Covenant.  Blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat once a year on the day of Atonement.  Atonement had to be provided in order for sinners to fellowship with the holy God.  Again, dwelling and atonement are inseparable, when we think of God dwelling with men.

·       Exodus 33:14-16: Before the tabernacle was made, and before Israel ever left Mt. Sinai, there was a crisis in terms of God’s dwelling with Israel.  That crisis was precipitated by the golden calf incident.  God tells Moses to lead the people on, but that He will not go with them, lest He consume the stiff-necked people along the way (33:1-3).  Our actions do affect our fellowship with God (1 John 1:8-9).  This news causes grief among the people; God’s presence was a blessing in many ways for Israel (33:4-6).  But there was one man who could enter God’s presence; that man was Moses (33:7-11).  Thus, Moses pled with God (33:12-17).  And notice the basis of his plea: how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth (33:16).  God’s Presence with Israel set them apart; without it, they were just another of the many nations. 

·       Exodus 40:34-35: What a glorious day, when the tabernacle was completed, the proper sacrifices performed, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle!  God had come to His resting place.

·       2 Chronicles 7:1-3: A similar scene occurred when Solomon dedicated the temple.  Again, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.  It was so intense that the priests could not enter the house of the LORD to do their ministry.  When the people saw this, they bowed before the LORD and proclaimed, For He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

·       Ezekiel 8-11: Grievously, this did not last.  Oh, it lasted for 450 years,  But the Babylonians, as God’s servants, destroyed Solomon’s temple and the Holy of Holies, where God’s glory had come.  Ezekiel details, from a vision, how the glory of the LORD departed …   

     … from the temple (Ezek. 8:1-4);

     … departing the mercy seat to the threshold of the temple (9:3);

     … filling the house with a cloud, and the court with brilliance (10:4);

     … departing the threshold for the eastern gate (10:18-19);

     … departing Jerusalem for the Mt. of Olives east of the city (11:22-23).

What a sad day for Israel.  But it is not the end of the story, thank the LORD!