Bible Reading Reflection (Exodus 26): God's Covering

God’s meticulous instruction concerning the tabernacle included instructions on how to construct the holy of holies.  God’s presence would symbolically sit enthroned above the cherubim of the Ark, which was hidden behind the inner veil, which was further hidden inside the Tabernacle.  It occurs to me that God has covered himself since Genesis 3.  Adam and Even covered themselves us trying to hide from God, probably due to the shame and fear that came from their guilt.  God has also covered himself up for a completely different reason.  It is for our safety.  God is holy, and we are tainted by sin.  For sinful man to be face to face with a holy God would mean his death.  So, when God came down to meet with the people, he was hidden in the thick smoke of Mount Sinai.  When Moses and the elders came up to the mountain, they saw God’s feet, but apparently saw no more of God than this.  I imagine that the glory of God above his feet was hidden in the smoke of the mountain.  The text remarks that they were able to be this close to God and eat in his presence without dying.  When God invites Moses to come up higher, Moses still could not see God face to face.  I am reminded of the instruction that will come later for the High Priest on the Day of Atonement.  Before entering the holy of holies, one of the tasks God instructed him to perform was to burn incense on the incense altar which stood in front of the veil so that smoke would fill the holy of holies.  Even on the Day of Atonement, God’s symbolic presence in the Holy of Holies would be enveloped in smoke.  I am also reminded of Isaiah’s traumatic experience of seeing God in his heavenly temple.  He did not see God directly, because he was covered by seraphs as they called out, “Holy! Holy! Holy! Is the LORD of Hosts!”  Isaiah may have thought he was going to die, but God sent one of the seraphs to purify Isaiah.

This helps to more appreciate our Lord’s atoning work through Christ.  God came out of the holy of holies and into a human body.  God came near, but covered himself this time in human flesh.  He shared in our flesh and blood to provide a permanent solution for sin by offering up his own blood.  He entered into the human experience so that he could sympathize with us in mercy and faithfulness.  He has come near in such a way so that we can refer to him not only as our God, but also our Abba, our Papa, our Father.    

Thank you for being faithful and not giving up on us. You have drawn near to us, may we draw near to you.