Observations

• The entire narrative of Exodus has led toward the climactic moment of God restoring His people into His presence (Exod. 3:8; 40:33).
• God’s glory descending upon the tabernacle (Exod. 40:34) provided affirmation that the people finished His assignments (Exod. 39:42-43).
• While Moses knew God better than anyone (Exod. 33:11; Deut. 34:10), there was still a protective limit to his proximity (Exod. 33:20).
• The shocking cliffhanger of Exodus is that God barred Moses from coming near the tent he had established (Exod. 40:35).
• The life of Moses concluded without his reaching the Promised Land (Deut. 34:4) or fully beholding the presence of God (Deut. 32:20). 

Applications

• What was inaccessible at Sinai became undeniable in Bethlehem. 
• Jesus, the glory of God, came down from heaven and tabernacled among us (John 1:14).
• The unlikely shepherds experienced a heavenly announcement bidding them to see heaven’s glory (Luke 2:14-15, 20).
• Awaiting the Messiah, Simeon beheld baby Jesus and knew he had seen God’s salvation (Luke 2:30).
• The wise men’s only appropriate response once they saw young Jesus was to worship (Matt. 2:11).
• When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared Him to be the Lamb of God sent to take our sins away (John 1:29).
• Jesus’ disciples saw Him transfigured among an overshadowing cloud and beside some affirming witnesses – Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:28-36).
• By faith, you too can reach the Promised Land and fully behold the presence of God.