Finally, Moses had the curtain hung around the courtyard (v. 33), com-pleting all the work of building the tabernacle. Every instruction God gave had been carefully obeyed. The sacred tent was now ready for God to fill with His presence.

A priestly role. Before Aaron and his sons were officially anointed, Mo-ses himself acted as a priest. He offered sacrifices, placed the utensils, and set everything in order (vv. 27, 29, 31). This early service of Moses shows how God often calls His servants to do a special job.

The glory descends (v. 34). The cloud of God’s glory came down upon the tabernacle, fulfilling His earlier promises to Moses and Israel (EXO 3:8; 3:12; 33:7–11). God’s word always proves true. He had delivered His people, guided them, and now came to dwell among them.

The visible glory (vv. 34–35). The cloud was a visible sign of the Lord’s presence, as it had been throughout their journey (EXO 13:21; 14:19; 16:7,10). Yet this moment was unique—the glory of God filled the entire tabernacle so powerfully that even Moses could not enter.

Moses and the glory of God. Moses saw God’s glory in the burning bush, in the plagues, in the exodus, and on Mount Sinai. He had even been allowed to see God’s “back” (EXO 33:17–23). But now the glory in the taber-nacle was greater still, showing that God’s presence among His people was the ultimate goal of redemption.

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