The Meeting Place

The next point is the meeting place. The people were not permitted to go nearer than the gate of the tabernacle, while Moses, through grace, was allowed to go into God’s presence before the mercy seat. This is now the believer’s place through the finished work of Christ. All God’s claims against the sinner having been fully met, and God having rent the veil from top to bottom, the one, made clean, can enter His presence without fear. Thus God could meet His people (Ex. 29:43).
The tabernacle and the priesthood were sanctified, or set apart, in the value of the sacrifice, and by the glory of God (Ex. 29:43-44). In that place alone, of all the earth, was God’s glory manifested. Now, God’s glory shines in the face of Jesus Christ; and God shines into the hearts of those who believe, to dispel the darkness with which the god of this world blinds, and to give the light of the knowledge of this glory (2 Cor. 4:4-6). When Jesus comes to reign, the whole earth will be filled with His glory.
In starting out, we noticed God’s purpose and desire to dwell with man. Now that everything has been arranged, and people and sanctuary have been set apart to God, we get the word, “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.” How far all this is from the heart of man by nature! He does not want God. He takes without thankful heart all that God gives him and, like the prodigal son, goes off to enjoy it without the thought of God. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,” gently draws man to Himself; and, in the deep love of His heart, not willing to wait until He has His ransomed ones home with Him in the glory, comes down now and makes His abode with those who love Him and who keep His words (John 14:23). “His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus,” will manifest “the exceeding riches of His grace” in the ages to come (Eph. 2:7).