March 31, 2009 - Exodus 40 & Acts 1

I would not normally have seen any connection between Exodus 40 and Acts 1, but today I did. Exodus 40 records the final set-up of the tabernacle. After all the preparation and construction, Moses leads the people in the arrangement of the tabernacle. They were obedient to all the instructions that God had given them. When the tabernacle is complete, a cloud moves in and fills the tabernacle. This, of course, is the glory of God. For the rest of their time in the desert, the cloud by day and fire by night, directs the children of Israel when to go and when to stay, by its presence in, or absence from, the tabernacle. Then I read Acts 1 and was reminded of the story of Jesus' ascension into heaven. There Luke records that Jesus was hidden from their sight by a cloud. I don't think that is a coincidence. I think this was a sign to the apostles that Jesus was now going back to God and would no longer be going in and out among them as He had for the last 40 days. I wouldn't think that the apostles missed the symbolism either. I did, however, until today.