Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 2

Here’s the Explore the Bible Sunday School lesson commentary for Feb. 2, written by Mark Rathel, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 2

Inhabited

Exodus 40:16–21, 34–38

We often refer to church as “the house of God,” a term the Bible uses to refer to the tabernacle and the church (1 Tim. 3:15, Heb. 10:21, 1 Pet. 4:17). After the construction of the tabernacle, God inhabited it. Chapter 40 looks back to earlier events in the narration of Exodus. The people of God had collected the proper supplies. Now it was time for Yahweh God to abide in the tabernacle. Exodus 40 describes the design and erection of the dwelling place of God.

Instructions Followed (16–21)

The Hebrew term for tabernacle means “dwelling place.” Exodus 25–40 describes the Designer, the blueprint and the building materials for the tabernacle.

Although the tabernacle was a giant tent rather than a building, the effort to set up the tabernacle was immense. Following the directions of God, Moses laid the bases, positioned its supports, inserted the crossbars and set up its pillars. Verse 16 affirms Moses followed the plans in every detail, “just as the Lord had commanded him.” God provided the plans and Moses implemented God’s commands.

In what areas are you tempted to offer partial obedience rather than full obedience?

Tabernacle Inhabited (34–35)

The Bible affirms God is omnipresent though not physically seen. Without His presence, God’s glory is not experienced. The pillar of cloud functioned as a means by which God guided His people through the wilderness (Ex. 13:21–22). When the cloud rested, the people stopped. When the cloud moved, the people moved.

Once “Moses finished the work” (Ex. 40:33), the cloud of God then rested upon the tabernacle, and the glory of the omnipresent God filled it. The tabernacle’s three distinctive areas (courtyard, Holy Place and Most Holy Place) were increasingly holy and thus increasingly restricted in accessibility. The Ark of the Covenant, containing the stone tablets and covered by the mercy seat, rested in the Most Holy Place.

The text states Moses was unable to enter the tabernacle because the cloud representing the glory of God rested upon it. Later Jewish writings refer to this as the “tented” glory of God or Shekinah. The tabernacle of the wilderness was located at the center of the camp, which emphasized the multiple tribes were one people.

Where do you see God’s glory on display today? How can we point others toward His glory?

Guidance Given (36–38)

In Exodus we see how God directed the Israelites’ journey. When the cloud was taken up, the Israelites progressed on their journey by following the men carrying the tabernacle. When the cloud was not taken up, the people of God remained at their location. The cloud of God’s presence affirmed God’s promise that He would not abandon His people.

Rather, He would be with them and guide them in their desert wanderings. The Israelites were visibly reminded of God’s faithful presence 24 hours a day. Notice the key word “stages” in verse 36.

What happens when we try to move ahead of God?

Additional information included from Lifeway’s Quicksource, a companion resource for teachers of the Explore the Bible curriculum series.


By Mark Rathel
Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Related Posts