Yahweh Commissions the Dwellingplace (Exodus 40:34-38).
All the work having been completed and the Sanctuary set up Yahweh comes and sets His seal on it. We may analyse this last passage as follows:
a The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the Dwellingplace and Moses was unable to enter into the Tent of Meeting because the cloud abode on it and the glory of Yahweh filled the Dwellingplace (Exodus 40:35-36).
b When the cloud was taken up from over the Dwellingplace, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys (Exodus 40:36).
b But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey until the day that it was taken up (Exodus 40:37).
a For the cloud of Yahweh was on the Dwellingplace by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys (Exodus 40:38).
Note that in ‘a' the cloud covering the Tent of Meeting and the glory of Yahweh filling the Dwellingplace is mentioned twice as dual witness to the unique occurrence on this first erection of the Dwellingplace, then in the parallel we are told that the cloud was on the Dwellingplace, and the fire by night, making the third and complete witness. In ‘b' when the cloud was take up they went on, and in the parallel if it was not taken up they did not go on.
‘Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the Dwellingplace. And Moses was not able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud abode on it, and the glory of Yahweh filled the Dwellingplace.'
Once the Dwellingplace was set up the cloud covered it and the glory of Yahweh filled it. The result was that such was the glory that even Moses, who had experienced so much of the glory of Yahweh, could not enter it. Note the repetition of the covering by the cloud and the entering of the glory of Yahweh. Something repeated twofold is certain and sure (Genesis 41:32). In the old Tent of Meeting Moses had been able to enter it because the cloud remained outside. But that was not Yahweh's dwellingplace.
That the Tent of Meeting referred to is the Dwellingplace is confirmed by the fact that:
1) The Dwellingplace is in context constantly called the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 40:2; Exodus 40:6; Exodus 40:12; Exodus 40:24; Exodus 40:26; Exodus 40:29; Exodus 40:32).
2) That the cloud would necessarily accompany the glory to veil it.
This excessiveness of glory was necessarily only for a short time. It was a short term manifestation, followed by the lesser manifestation of cloud and fire. That the glory gradually faded, as did the glory on Moses' face, is revealed by the fact that activity would, of course, take place within the Sanctuary. Aaron had to enter it twice daily to light and dress the lamps (Exodus 27:20-21). Incense had to be offered twice daily (Exodus 30:7-8). The showbread had to be placed (Leviticus 24:8). (See also Leviticus 10:13). Thus we must assume that such manifestation as remained became restricted to the Most Holy Place. But the cloud clearly hovered above the Dwellingplace so that it could be seen, and probably the fire also.
‘And when the cloud was taken up from over the Dwellingplace, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys, but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey until the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of Yahweh was on the Dwellingplace by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.'
The pillar of cloud and fire now abode in or on the Dwellingplace. And while it remained there it was clear that Yahweh wished to remain there. But when the pillar ‘was taken up' then it was time to move on. And the pillar would then go before them. Yahweh was fulfilling His promise to be among them to the letter. (See Numbers 9:15-23). But the very verb ‘was taken up' (niphal - ‘was come up') may suggest an outside agency. Yahweh was not limited to the Dwellingplace.
The graciousness of God is revealed in that the pillar was always discernible, either as cloud or fire. The cloud could be seen in the daylight, and the fire in the darkness. They knew that He was there.
So the book which began with Israel being brought into bondage under one king ends with Israel being led into freedom under another King, One Who dwelt in unapproachable glory.