None is Worthy, All Are Welcome


The book of Exodus is the story of God's redeeming work to choose a people for Himself, to reveal Himself to the nations as He does so, and ultimately to dwell among them so that all may know the Lord is over all His creation and every nation.

The book ends with Israel enslaved by a man who thought he was god. It ends with the people free with THE GOD in their midst. The temple is completed by Moses in Exodus 40 and there are notable things we should consider:

Exodus 40:1–5 (ESV) The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 3 And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 And you shall bring in the table and arrange it, and you shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5 And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle.


Exodus 40:16 (ESV) This Moses did; according to all that the LORD commanded him, so he did.

Exodus 40:33 (ESV) And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

Moses finishes the work God gave him to do in order for His presence to be with His people. Three times in this passage alone it makes it clear Moses followed the instructions to the finest detail. YET.. in an absolutely stunning turn of events, after Moses is done setting up the tabernacle exactly as God would have Him do so, when God enters the Tabernacle Moses is no longer allowed in.


Exodus 40:35 (ESV) And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

These are the moments that convince me of Divine Authorship of the scriptures. Had Moses invented this story, why would he have included this very humbling detail? He has done all God has asked. He has made this incredibly miraculous journey from the threat of Pharaoh's edict to the basket, to the palace, to fugitive status, to reluctant leader, to friend of God, to construction supervisor and engineer. This book that seems to show us so much of Moses' journey ends by limited Moses' ability to stand before God. A human would not have thought this up!
Do we understand the holiness of God? The holiness of God refers to His absolute transcendence. He is beyond us and above us. Yet in Exodus we have learned that this Holy One has come to dwell with His people.

 This moment is a solemn reminder that none of us comes into God's presence on our works! None of us experiences God's presence because we followed the rules or attained the spiritual status necessary to do so. If Moses, who obeyed fully God's commands concerning this tabernacle is not able to enter, how much more so are you and I unworthy to enter. 

 The reality of the Gospel is this: No one deserves it but should can come through the way God has provided, we can all benefit from the same reality - God's presence WITH US - Immanuel through His Son Jesus. We come in through the one door (Jesus), we come by way of sacrifice (His blood), we come because Jesus is the final tabernacle whereby God Himself makes a way in the wilderness for thirsty and hungry sinners to find their way back to Him.

 So if you ever feel like you don't measure up to God's standard, do not worry, you are in good company. None is worthy, even Moses. But all are welcome because of what Jesus has done.

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