What does Moses' obedience in Exodus 40:33 teach about following God's instructions? Setting the Scene • After months of detailed instructions from God (Exodus 25–31) and Israel’s faithful giving (Exodus 35–39), Exodus 40 records the actual construction of the tabernacle. • Verse 33 captures the climactic moment: “Then Moses set up the surrounding courtyard for the tabernacle and the altar, and he hung the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.” Observing Moses’ Obedience • Moses followed God’s blueprint exactly—down to the final courtyard curtain. • The simple phrase “finished the work” testifies that nothing God required was left incomplete. • The next verses show God’s immediate response: “Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34). Divine presence followed human obedience. Lessons for Our Walk • Obedience is comprehensive – God’s instructions are not suggestions; they are precise (Exodus 40:16, “Moses did everything as the LORD had commanded him”). – Partial obedience is disobedience (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22–23). • Obedience precedes God’s manifested presence – Only after Moses completed every task did God’s glory fill the tabernacle. – Jesus echoes this truth: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15). • Obedience validates faith – Hebrews 3:5 commends Moses “as a faithful servant in all God’s house.” – James 1:22 urges believers to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Practical Takeaways Today • Finish what God assigns—even the “curtain-hanging” details that seem small. • Measure success by faithfulness to God’s pattern, not personal creativity or convenience. • Expect God’s empowering presence when obedience is complete, not before. • Use Scripture as the definitive guide; its accuracy and literal instructions are trustworthy. Encouragement for Daily Life Just as Moses’ meticulous obedience ushered in the visible glory of God, our careful, wholehearted submission to Scripture invites God’s active presence into our lives, ministries, and homes. |
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