“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34
In the previous Chapters, a Collection is taken for the building of the Tabernacle. Bezalel and Oholiab are named as the main Builders, and others, as their hearts are moved to serve, begin the process of its building. Everything from the spinning of the threads, the weaving of the fabrics, to the creation of the molds for the various Metal items is made. Eventually, all is done “just as the Lord had commanded Moses”
It had been almost one year since Israel had left Egypt. The Tabernacle was finished and Moses erects it. Everything is put in its place, anointed with oil and consecrated. The Bread is arranged, the Lamp is trimmed, and the Incense is burned on the altar. Perfect! Now they are all set to begin worshiping, right? Nope, not yet! God’s Presence was still needed. Though as Special as it was, being modeled after the one Moses saw in Heaven while on the Mountain top, it was still not ready to be used. Only God’s Glory and Presence made it so. Until God descended in the Cloudy Pillar, it was just a Beautiful and Amazing Tent with various furnishings. It offered the People of God nothing more than an attraction of “what could be done” with gifted and talented labor!
The same holds true for us today. We may not have all the furnishings, the Altars, the Sacrifices, and the Priests, as the Jews had, but we do have some pretty elaborate Church Buildings that show Man’s giftedness and talent. And just as that Tabernacle was an Empty Beauty apart from God, so is ANY Church Building. God’s Glory, in the Pillar of Cloud, made the difference for the Jews; what makes the difference for Christians today? We have His Presence when we gather “In His Name”. Jesus said, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Then, and only then, can True Worship take place!