THE CLOUD OF THE GLORY OF GOD GUIDES HIS PEOPLE

In this leading passage of , we read the exciting story of God physically guiding the children of Israel who have just come out of Egypt, through the wilderness of Sinai. The cloud of the presence of God began to guide them through the uncharted course of the wilderness, steadily and surely to the Promised Land. The world of the Christian pilgrim is like that of the Children of Israel. We need guidance from God as He did for Israel.

1. THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN ORDERING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE

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God Among His People:

God’s purpose has always been to dwell with His redeemed people. While they were in Egyptian slavery, they could not see Him or His hand until the appointed time of their deliverance. And when that appointed time came, nothing could stop their deliverance. Similarly, you may be wondering, where is God? You may be in some form of trouble, difficulty or challenge now. But when your own appointed time comes, nothing will stop the intervention of God in your life (,). God delivered Israel that He might dwell with them. Our relationship with God today is like family relationship. We dwell with Him (; ). In His metaphor in , Jesus describes Himself as the True Vine while we His disciples are the branches. He says that we can only have life if abide in Him. What does it mean to abide in Him? It means that we live in Him; We remain in Him (). God has never lived in buildings made with hands nor will He ever do. But He will always dwell in those who are redeemed (). Remember the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (; ). In , we read the triumphant declaration, “Behold, the Tabernacle of God…. This has been the purpose of God since creation. We by His grace, shall see its final fulfilment in Jesus, Name.

2. THE PATTERN FROM GOD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE

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The Tabernacle, A Pattern of Heaven:

God provides the pattern of Heaven for our earthly lives. He provides the blueprint for our spiritual life. We cannot make our own pattern of how we should live.

God commanded Moses to make the Tabernacle and the Ark of Covenant in it according to the pattern God had shown Him on the Mountain. This was that pattern of the Tabernacle of God in Heaven. If Moses did not build according to this pattern, the Cloud of Glory would not have come down. The pattern shown Moses was a pattern of heavenly things. Everything in the Law given to Moses, was a shadow of heavenly things (; ), a shadow of things to come, a shadow of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

In today’s free world, people refuse, even reject patterns. They say they don’t want to be cast in a mould. Aah, but see, there is a pattern of the Tabernacle of worship in Heaven, and God told Moses to make the Earthly Tabernacle of Worship the same way! The Church must have a pattern too, and that pattern must be in accord with the heavenly pattern. RCCG, Deeper Life Bible Church both had a pattern. So, when you come into this Church, follow the pattern. Don’t create your own pattern.

Let us remember that everything, in the OT was pointing to Jesus. Jesus said that the whole of Scripture was written concerning Him (,). In , Christ rebuked the Jewish leaders for not believing in Him for Salvation. In the same way through His word, Jesus still rebukes people today for not coming to Him for Salvation. Have you been to Jesus for Salvation? You must come today if you haven’t.

3. PROTECTION AND GUIDANCE THROUGH THE CLOUD OF HIS PRESENCE

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I love this passage we are reading so much. Israel Saw the Physical manifestation of the Presence of their God. And the they followed Him in His every move. First, Moses fully obeyed God by constructing the Tabernacle according to the Heavenly Pattern. Then God come down and covered the Tabernacle with a manifestation of His glorious presence.

And once God was with them, His instructions were promptly obeyed. The Cloudy Pillar by day and the Pillar of Fire by night became their shield as well as their guide by day and by night.

We see a beautiful picture of obedience here. At whatever time the Cloudy Pillar lifted, the camp of Israel arose and started their journey. No dissention, no disagreement with the pattern of movement, or the timing (). Remember everything we read here was a pattern of things to come. Moses was the leader of the people of God. God was orchestrating the movement by signalling when they should move and when they should rest.

We must trust in the guidance of God (; ; ).

Today God leads us by the Holy Spirit, yet He appoints apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers (), to teach and to supervise the Church. He commands us to follow our leaders and obey them ().

So as Israel did in the wilderness, lets’ follow the guidance of the Lord. Let us obey our leader, though they be human. God appointed them. God is with them. And God will be with you as you obediently follow.

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