Small Group Questions
1. Read Exodus 40:34–38. What stands out to you about the way Exodus ends? Why do you think Exodus concludes with God dwelling among His people rather than Israel arriving in the Promised Land?
2. “Israel could build the tabernacle, but Israel could not fill it with glory.” What are some things we can prepare, organize, or accomplish as Christians while still being completely dependent on God to do what only He can do? Where are you tempted to manufacture results instead of depending on Him?
3. Moses could not enter the tabernacle because of God’s holiness (Exodus 40:35), but Hebrews 10:19–22 says we can confidently enter God’s presence because of Jesus. How does understanding what Jesus has done change the way you approach God? What keeps you from enjoying the access to God that Christ has given you?
4. Israel moved when God moved and stayed when God stayed. What does it practically look like to be led by God’s presence today? Is there an area of your life where you sense God asking you to move, wait, surrender, or trust Him?
5. A new building can make a church feel like it has “arrived,” but Exodus ends with the journey continuing. How can we make sure a building, ministry growth, comfort, or success never becomes the destination? What would it look like for us individually and as a church to say, “Lord, wherever You lead us from here, we will follow”?
Three-Day Devotional
Day 1 — Filled by His Presence
Read: Exodus 40:16–35
Key Verse: “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” — Exodus 40:34
For chapter after chapter, Israel prepared the tabernacle exactly as God commanded. They built, arranged, assembled, and finished the work. But when everything was ready, something happened that no craftsman could produce: God filled the tabernacle with His glory.
Israel could prepare the place. They could not produce the presence.
That distinction matters for us. We can work hard, make plans, build ministries, prepare our homes, raise our children, develop our gifts, and faithfully obey what God has put before us. Those things matter. But ultimately, we need God to do what only God can do.
The story of Scripture shows God's desire to dwell with His people: His glory appeared at Sinai, filled the tabernacle, filled the temple, and ultimately came near to us in Jesus. John tells us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory” (John 1:14). And now, through His Spirit, God dwells in His people.
The goal isn't merely to build something impressive for God. The goal is to be a people filled with and dependent upon Him.
Reflect: Where have you been relying on your own preparation, ability, or effort rather than depending on God to do what only He can do?
Pray: Father, thank You for choosing to dwell with Your people. Help me faithfully prepare and obey while remembering that I cannot manufacture Your work. Fill my life with Your Spirit and make Your presence evident through me. Amen.
Day 2 — The Way Into His Presence
Read: Exodus 40:34–35; Hebrews 10:19–22
Key Verse: “We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” — Hebrews 10:19
There is a surprising moment at the end of Exodus. The tabernacle is finished. God's glory comes down. And Moses—the man who met with God on the mountain, entered the cloud, and spoke with God—cannot enter.
God has come near, but humanity still needs a way to come near to Him.
That tension points us forward to Jesus.
Moses was a great mediator, but he could not provide final access to God. Jesus could. Through His death and resurrection, Christ dealt with the sin that separated us from a holy God. The curtain in the temple was torn, and Hebrews says that because of Jesus we can now approach God with confidence.
Think about that: the God whose glory Moses could not simply walk into now invites you to draw near.
We don't approach because we've had a good week. We don't stay away because we've had a bad one. Our access isn't based on our performance. We come because Jesus has made the way.
Don't settle for merely knowing things about God's presence. Through Christ, you have been invited to know Him.
Reflect: What most often keeps you from drawing near to God? How would your relationship with Him change if you truly believed you were welcomed because of Jesus?
Pray: Jesus, thank You for making a way for me to come near to God. Forgive me for trying to earn what You have already purchased for me. Help me approach You with confidence, gratitude, and humility today. Amen.
Day 3 — Following His Presence
Read: Exodus 40:36–38
Key Verse: “For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night…throughout all their journeys.” — Exodus 40:38
The tabernacle was finished. God's glory filled it. It would have been easy to say, “We made it.”
But Exodus doesn't end with Israel settling down. It ends with God's people getting ready to keep moving.
When the cloud moved, they moved. When it remained, they remained.
The presence of God wasn't simply something for Israel to experience; His presence was something they were called to follow.
That's an important reminder whenever God allows us to reach a milestone. A new season, a new opportunity, a new building, or a ministry accomplishment can tempt us to believe we've arrived.
But the destination isn't a building. It isn't growth. It isn't comfort. It isn't even ministry success.
The goal is God Himself.
Exodus closes with the words “throughout all their journeys.” God wasn't promising His presence for one significant moment. He would be with His people for the journey ahead.
So perhaps the most appropriate response to God's past faithfulness isn't simply, “Thank You for bringing us here.” It's also, “Wherever You lead us next, we will follow.”
Reflect: Where might God be asking you to follow Him in this season? Is there something you need to begin, leave behind, wait for, or surrender?
Pray: Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness in bringing me this far. Keep me from confusing Your blessings with the destination. I want to be more committed to Your presence than my comfort or plans. Wherever You lead, give me the faith to follow. Amen.