Topical Bible: Cloud of Glory was Designed to Cover the Tabernacle

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Topical Encyclopedia

The "Cloud of Glory," often referred to as the "Shekinah Glory," is a significant biblical motif representing the divine presence and guidance of God among His people, Israel. This phenomenon is particularly associated with the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary constructed by the Israelites during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt.

Biblical Description and Function

The Cloud of Glory is first introduced in the context of the Exodus narrative. In Exodus 13:21-22 , it is described as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, guiding the Israelites through the desert: "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people."

The cloud's role extends beyond mere guidance; it is a visible manifestation of God's presence. In Exodus 40:34-35 , the cloud covers the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD fills the Tabernacle: "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle."

Theological Significance

The Cloud of Glory signifies God's immanence and His covenantal relationship with Israel. It serves as a constant reminder of His holiness, sovereignty, and faithfulness. The cloud's presence over the Tabernacle underscores the sacredness of the space where God meets with His people, as seen in Leviticus 16:2 : "The LORD said to Moses: 'Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.'"

Guidance and Protection

The cloud also functions as a protective covering and a guide for the Israelites. Numbers 9:15-23 details how the cloud settled over the Tabernacle and dictated the Israelites' movements: "On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening until morning, the cloud above the tabernacle appeared to be fire. This is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it appeared like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped."

Symbol of Divine Approval and Presence

The Cloud of Glory is also a symbol of divine approval and presence during significant events. For instance, during the dedication of Solomon's Temple, the cloud filled the house of the LORD, indicating God's acceptance of the temple as His dwelling place (1 Kings 8:10-11): "And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD."

Christological Foreshadowing

In Christian theology, the Cloud of Glory is often seen as a foreshadowing of the incarnation of Christ, who is described as the ultimate manifestation of God's presence among His people. The transfiguration of Jesus, where a bright cloud envelops Him and the voice of God is heard, echoes the Old Testament imagery of the cloud (Matthew 17:5): "While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!'"

The Cloud of Glory, therefore, serves as a profound symbol of God's enduring presence, guidance, and covenantal faithfulness, both in the history of Israel and in the broader narrative of redemption through Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 40:34
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 9:15
And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was on the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

What is the Sanctuary?
... the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory ... of His glory;" the kingdom
of glory has not ... The whole ceremony was designed to impress the Israelites ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory ... of His glory;" the kingdom
of glory has not ... The whole ceremony was designed to impress the Israelites ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

The Day of Atonement
... the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the ... agonies are now within the vail of
glory, sprinkled now ... This scapegoat was not designed to show us the victim ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Vile Ingratitude!
... thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins ... One thing else appears
designed to represent our sins as ... instead of giving him all the glory and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/vile ingratitude.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... all understanding, if any rejoicing in hope of the glory of God ... Nay, they never designed
to obey it. ... away from the little cot than from the "cloud-topt palaces ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 28 upon our lords.htm

Fast-Day Service
... thought to make the world his dominion, who designed to cast ... servant to preach to
us; and all the glory shall be ... we hope that ere long this black cloud will be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fast-day service.htm

Dialogue i. --The Immutable.
... the substance of Christ departed from His own glory, and took ... went He down into her
if He was designed to take ... calls the Lord' and by a swift cloud' he means ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue i the immutable.htm

Christian Churches.
... in the Cortile di S. Damaso, was designed by Algardi in ... for the first time the new
temple in all its glory. ... On Friday, August 27, 1610, a cloud-burst swept the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iii christian churches.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... princes and great men; and "grass" means men's power and glory (Wordsworth ... But these,
from the bottomless pit, are designed for a very different ... (Cloud; Rainbow ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

A Discourse
... beams and beams too, since it was designed for assaults ... against his people of Israel,
'as a cloud to cover ... God will get himself great glory by permitting the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm