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What was the effect upon Moses of this new covenant of graciousness? The skin of
his face shone. He could not but catch something of the glory. True, both the record here
and the inspired comment in II Cor. 3: show that the glory was transient, yet it
foreshadowed the fuller blessings of the new covenant where they who behold the glory
of the Lord with unveiled face are transfigured. Moses, we are told, "wist not that the
skin of his face shone". To boast of modesty is to be immodest. To parade humility is to
be proud. True sanctity walks hand in hand with conscious unworthiness. Boldness of
access by reason of the faith of Him, and fear and trembling when working out that
salvation, go together. Paul did not know his own greatness. He rather marveled at the
grace given to the least of all saints. David was a man after God's own heart, but he
knew what it was to pray for forgiveness of deep and awful sin.
Others will take knowledge of us when we have been in the presence of the Lord, just
as the priest who had been offering incense would carry some of the fragrance with him
on returning from the sanctuary.
The section concludes with one more reference to the sabbath, this time particularizing
its effect in the household:--
"Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day" (Exod. 35: 3).
The law of the sabbath suited Israel's land. Even the law concerning fires on the
sabbath would mean sickness and death if applied to a northerly country such as England.
The climate of this country would not allow the sabbatic year to be kept, unless the Lord
accompanied the command with perpetual miracles. But these are particular features of
the covenant made between the Lord and Israel.
After this last reference to sabbath rest, the remainder of Exodus is occupied with the
description and making of the tabernacle under the guidance of Bezaleel and Aholiab.
When the work was finished, the gracious promise of the Lord's presence was kept:--
"Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the
tabernacle" (Exod. 40: 34).
The closing words of Exodus tell us that the token of the Lord's presence never again
left the people. He Who led them out, led them in. The redeemed of the Lord have no
need to plead for His leading, for it is theirs as part of His one great act of love. What
they need is eyes to see the cloud and the fire, and hearts responsive to the indications of
His will.
Thus all things are now ready for the great covenant worship with which the
ten commandments open. The book of worship, so far as details are concerned, is the
book of Leviticus, and this must be our next study.