Thursday, 27th August 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文「當時，雲彩遮蓋會幕，耶和華的榮光就充滿了帳幕。」——出埃及記40:34
引言
來到《出埃及記》第40章，會幕的一切物件都已經完成。
第39章記載，以色列人照耶和華所吩咐的，完成了會幕和其中一切器具，並把它們帶到摩西面前。摩西仔細察看，確認一切都符合神的吩咐，便為百姓祝福。
從人的角度看，材料、器具和人力都已經齊備，似乎隨時都可以把會幕立起來。然而，摩西沒有因為一切準備好了，便按照自己的意思決定何時開始。
神對摩西說：
「正月初一日，你要立起帳幕。」
——出埃及記40:2
摩西等候神所指定的日子，然後按照神所吩咐的次序，把會幕立起來。
但第40章不只是講立起會幕。神也吩咐摩西膏抹會幕和一切器具，使它們分別為聖；亞倫和他的兒子也要經過洗濯、穿上聖衣、接受膏立，才能在神面前事奉。
最後，當一切都照神的吩咐完成，雲彩遮蓋會幕，耶和華的榮光充滿其中。此後，神的雲彩更成為以色列人每一步的帶領。
這正是整卷《出埃及記》的高峰：神把以色列人帶出埃及，不只是使他們脫離法老的轄制，更是要把他們帶進祂的同在，使他們成為聖潔的子民，一生跟隨祂。
過渡句
《出埃及記》第40章讓我們看見：走進神同在的道路，就是等候神的時間，照神的話預備自己，並在往後每一步跟隨祂的帶領。
一、等候神的時間
經文
「正月初一日，你要立起帳幕。」
——出埃及記40:2
第39章已經清楚記載：
「帳幕，就是會幕，一切的工就這樣做完了。」
——出埃及記39:32
會幕的一切物件已經完成，也被送到摩西面前。摩西察看所有工作，確認以色列人所做的都是照耶和華的吩咐。
所有東西都準備好了，摩西卻沒有立刻按自己的意思立起會幕。他仍然等候神所指定的日子——正月初一。
這種等候不是消極地甚麼都不做。摩西和百姓已經完成了他們應當完成的預備；但是，即使一切條件都已經成熟，他們仍然把最後的決定權交在神手中。
很多時候，我們以為只有在缺乏時才需要信心。其實，當資源齊備、環境成熟、自己覺得隨時可以開始時，我們更容易倚靠自己的判斷，不再等候和求問神。
真正的信心不只是相信神會供應，也是在一切已經預備好之後，仍然對神說：
「主啊，我已經預備好了，但我不願意搶先於祢。」
等候神不是逃避責任。我們一方面要忠心完成預備，另一方面也要尊重神的時間。
預備好，是人的責任；何時開始，仍要交在神手中。
二、照神的話預備自己
經文
「摩西這樣行，都是照耶和華所吩咐他的。」
——出埃及記40:16
當神所指定的時間來到，摩西便開始行動。
他立起帳幕，安放約櫃和幔子，擺放桌子和陳設餅，安放燈臺並點燈，又放置金香壇、燔祭壇、洗濯盆和院子的帷子。
第40章多次重複一句重要的話：
「是照耶和華所吩咐他的。」
摩西沒有因為自己是領袖，便按照個人經驗改變神的安排。他不只是把事情做完，更按照神所指定的時間、次序和方法完成。
然而，神的要求不只停留在把會幕立起來。
- 器具要分別為聖
神吩咐摩西：
「用膏油把帳幕和其中所有的都抹上，使帳幕和一切器具成聖，就都成聖。」
——出埃及記40:9
會幕的器具雖然已經製造完成，卻仍要被膏抹、分別為聖，才能專一地用在神的事奉中。
器具本身沒有改變，所使用的材料也沒有改變；改變的是它們的歸屬和用途。它們不再作普通用途，而是完全歸給神，為神所使用。
同樣，我們所擁有的時間、恩賜、經驗和資源，不只是要準備好，也要重新交在神手中。
神所要的，不只是我們的能力，更是我們生命的主權。
- 事奉的人要先被潔淨
神也吩咐摩西：
「要使亞倫和他兒子到會幕門口來，用水洗身。要給亞倫穿上聖衣，又膏他，使他成聖，可以給我供祭司的職分。」
——出埃及記40:12–13
不只是會幕和器具要分別為聖，事奉神的人也要被潔淨、穿上聖衣、接受膏立。
第30至32節又記載，摩西把洗濯盆放在會幕和祭壇中間，摩西、亞倫和他的兒子每次進入會幕或靠近祭壇以前，都要洗手洗腳。
這提醒我們：在神眼中，完成工作固然重要，事奉者的生命同樣重要。
我們很容易只關心事情是否完成、聚會是否成功、工作是否有效率；神卻不只察看我們手上所完成的，也察看我們以怎樣的生命事奉祂。
我們不能一方面為神工作，另一方面拒絕讓神潔淨和改變我們。走進神的同在，不只是把工作帶到神面前，更是把自己帶到神面前。
- 整個事奉都以神為中心
摩西把燔祭壇放在會幕門前，並在壇上獻上燔祭和素祭（40:29）。
這表明人親近聖潔的神，需要經過獻祭和潔淨。從新約的亮光來看，這一切最終指向耶穌基督。不是靠人的功勞，而是藉着基督所完成的救贖，我們才可以坦然來到神面前。
因此，走進神的同在，不是靠自己的熱心、能力或成就，而是倚靠神的恩典，讓自己的生命被祂潔淨，並完全歸祂使用。
第33節最後說：
「這樣，摩西就完了工。」
摩西完成的不只是會幕的組裝，更是神交給他的整個託付。
三、跟隨神的同在前行
經文
「當時，雲彩遮蓋會幕，耶和華的榮光就充滿了帳幕。」
——出埃及記40:34
當摩西完成神所吩咐的工作，雲彩遮蓋會幕，耶和華的榮光充滿其中，甚至摩西也不能進入會幕。
會幕真正的價值，不在於使用了多少珍貴材料，也不在於工匠的技術多麼精巧，而在於神願意住在祂百姓中間。
這不是說人的順服可以製造或換取神的同在。神的同在完全出於祂的恩典和信實；然而，當摩西和以色列人願意走在神所指示的道路上，他們便在順服中真實經歷神的榮耀與同在。
神的同在也不只是一次令人震撼的顯現，更成為以色列人往後每一步的帶領：
「雲彩從帳幕收上去，以色列人就起程前往；雲彩若不收上去，他們就不起程，直等到雲彩收上去。」
——出埃及記40:36–37
雲彩升起，他們便起行；雲彩停留，他們便安營。
這與摩西立起會幕時的態度完全一致：
- 神還沒有吩咐，他便等候；
- 神吩咐立起，他就行動；
- 神的雲彩升起，百姓便前行；
- 神的雲彩停留，百姓也停下來。
神的同在不只是讓人感動，更要成為人生的方向。
以色列人不再自己決定要去哪裏，然後要求神與他們同行；他們要觀看神的雲彩，按照神的帶領起行或停留。
真正的自由，不是自己想去哪裏就去哪裏，而是不再受法老轄制，可以自由地跟隨神。
總結
《出埃及記》開始時，以色列人在埃及受法老轄制。法老決定他們做甚麼、何時工作，甚至如何生活。
《出埃及記》結束時，耶和華的榮耀住在他們中間。從今以後，不再是法老決定他們的方向，而是神的雲彩帶領他們何時起行、何時停留。
他們不只是離開了埃及，更要學習一種全新的生活——走在神的同在中。
第40章讓我們看見，走進神同在的道路包括三個重要的學習：
- 等候神的時間；
- 照神的話預備自己；
- 跟隨神的同在前行。
有時我們正在等候，是因為資源還未齊備；但有時一切條件已經成熟，神仍要我們把時間交在祂手中。
當神的時間來到，我們不只要把工作完成，也要讓所做的一切分別為聖，更要讓自己的生命被神潔淨、塑造和使用。
順服不是換取神同在的條件，而是讓我們走進神所安排的道路，在其中真實經歷祂的同在、榮耀與帶領。
走進神同在的道路，就是等候祂的時間，照祂的話預備自己，並在往後每一步跟隨祂的帶領。
自我檢核
- 當所有條件都已經齊備，我是否仍然願意等候和求問神，而不是按照自己的意思搶先行動？
- 我是否只關心把神的工作完成，卻忽略讓自己的生命被神潔淨、改變和分別為聖？
- 我是否只渴望感受神的同在，卻不願意讓神決定我何時起行、何時停留？
Key Verse
“Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”
—Exodus 40:34, NKJV
Introduction
As we come to Exodus 40, every part of the tabernacle has already been completed.
Exodus 39 records that the Israelites made the tabernacle and all its furnishings according to everything the LORD had commanded. They brought everything to Moses, and Moses carefully inspected their work. When he saw that they had followed the LORD’s instructions, he blessed them.
From a human point of view, the materials, furnishings and workers were all ready. It seemed that the tabernacle could be set up at any time. However, Moses did not decide for himself when to begin simply because everything was ready.
God said to Moses:
“On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.”
—Exodus 40:2, NKJV
Moses waited for the day appointed by God. Then he set up the tabernacle according to the order God had given him.
But Exodus 40 is not only about setting up the tabernacle. God also commanded Moses to anoint the tabernacle and all its furnishings, setting them apart as holy. Aaron and his sons were also to be washed, clothed and anointed before serving God as priests.
Finally, when everything had been completed according to God’s command, the cloud covered the tabernacle and the glory of the LORD filled it. From that time onward, God’s cloud guided every step of Israel’s journey.
This is the climax of the whole book of Exodus. God brought the Israelites out of Egypt not only to free them from Pharaoh’s control, but also to bring them into His presence. They were to become His holy people and learn to follow Him throughout their lives.
Transition
Exodus 40 shows us that walking into God’s presence means waiting for His timing, preparing ourselves according to His Word, and following His guidance in every step ahead.
- Wait for God’s Timing
Scripture
“On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.”
—Exodus 40:2, NKJV
Exodus 39 has already declared:
“Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished.”
—Exodus 39:32, NKJV
Every part of the tabernacle had been completed and brought to Moses. After inspecting all the work, Moses confirmed that the Israelites had followed the LORD’s commands.
Everything was ready, but Moses did not immediately set up the tabernacle according to his own decision. He waited for the day appointed by God—the first day of the first month.
This waiting was not passive. Moses and the people had already completed all the necessary preparations. Yet even when all the conditions were ready, they still left the final decision in God’s hands.
We often think that faith is only necessary when we lack something. However, when the resources are available, the circumstances are favourable and we feel ready to begin, we can easily depend on our own judgment and stop seeking God.
True faith is not only believing that God will provide. It also means saying to God when everything is ready:
“Lord, I am ready, but I do not want to move ahead of You.”
Waiting for God does not mean avoiding our responsibilities. We faithfully prepare, but we also honour God’s timing.
It is our responsibility to prepare; the right time to begin remains in God’s hands.
- Prepare Ourselves According to God’s Word
Scripture
“Thus Moses did; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did.”
—Exodus 40:16, NKJV
When God’s appointed time arrived, Moses began to act.
He set up the tabernacle, placed the ark and the veil, arranged the table and the showbread, set up the lampstand and lit its lamps. He also placed the golden altar, the altar of burnt offering, the laver and the curtains of the courtyard.
Throughout Exodus 40, one important statement is repeated:
“As the LORD had commanded Moses.”
Moses did not change God’s instructions because he was the leader. He did not depend on his own experience or choose only the parts that seemed important to him. He completed everything according to God’s timing, order and instructions.
However, God required more than simply setting up the tabernacle.
The furnishings had to be set apart as holy
God told Moses:
“And you shall anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy.”
—Exodus 40:9, NKJV
Although the furnishings had been carefully made, they still had to be anointed and set apart for God.
Their physical materials did not change, but their ownership and purpose changed. They were no longer to be used for ordinary purposes. They now belonged entirely to God and were to be used for His service.
In the same way, our time, gifts, experience and resources must not only be ready; they must also be placed in God’s hands.
God does not only want our abilities. He wants the ownership of our lives.
Those who serve must first be cleansed
God also told Moses:
“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting and wash them with water.”
—Exodus 40:12, NKJV
Aaron was to be clothed with the holy garments, anointed and set apart to serve God as priest.
Verses 30–32 also tell us that Moses placed the laver between the tabernacle and the altar. Moses, Aaron and his sons washed their hands and feet whenever they entered the tabernacle or approached the altar.
This reminds us that completing God’s work is important, but the life of the person serving Him is also important.
We can easily focus only on whether the task is completed, the meeting is successful or the ministry is effective. But God not only looks at what our hands accomplish; He also looks at the condition of the lives through which we serve Him.
We cannot work for God while refusing to let Him cleanse and transform us. Walking into God’s presence means bringing not only our work before Him, but also our whole lives.
All ministry must centre on God
Moses placed the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle and offered the burnt offering and grain offering upon it (Exodus 40:29).
This showed that sinful people could not approach the holy God without sacrifice and cleansing. In the light of the New Testament, these sacrifices ultimately point us to Jesus Christ.
We do not enter God’s presence through our own ability, enthusiasm or achievements. We come through the saving work of Christ. By God’s grace, our lives can be cleansed and set apart for His purposes.
Verse 33 concludes:
“So Moses finished the work.”
Moses did not merely finish assembling the tabernacle. He completed the whole assignment God had entrusted to him.
- Follow God’s Presence Forward
Scripture
“Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”
—Exodus 40:34, NKJV
When Moses completed everything God had commanded, the cloud covered the tabernacle and the glory of the LORD filled it. The glory was so overwhelming that even Moses could not enter.
The true value of the tabernacle was not found in its expensive materials or the skill of its craftsmen. Its true value was that God chose to dwell among His people.
This does not mean that human obedience can produce or purchase God’s presence. God’s presence comes entirely through His grace and faithfulness. Yet as Moses and the Israelites walked in the way God had shown them, they truly experienced His glory and presence.
God’s presence was not only a powerful moment to be remembered. It became the practical guidance for every step of Israel’s journey:
“Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys.”
—Exodus 40:36, NKJV
When the cloud rose, they moved forward. When the cloud remained, they stayed where they were.
This reflected the same attitude Moses had shown when setting up the tabernacle:
- Before God gave the command, Moses waited.
- When God commanded him, Moses acted.
- When the cloud rose, the people moved.
- When the cloud remained, the people stayed.
God’s presence is not only something that moves our emotions. It must also become the direction of our lives.
The Israelites were no longer to decide where they wanted to go and then ask God to follow them. They were to watch the cloud and move or remain according to God’s guidance.
True freedom does not mean going wherever we want. It means being released from Pharaoh’s control so that we are free to follow God.
Conclusion
At the beginning of Exodus, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. Pharaoh decided what they should do, when they should work and how they should live.
At the end of Exodus, the glory of the LORD dwelt among them. Pharaoh no longer determined their direction. God’s cloud now showed them when to move and when to remain.
They had not only left Egypt; they were beginning a completely new way of life—walking in the presence of God.
Exodus 40 teaches us three important lessons about walking into God’s presence:
- Wait for God’s timing.
- Prepare ourselves according to God’s Word.
- Follow God’s presence forward.
Sometimes we are waiting because the necessary resources are not yet available. At other times, everything may be ready, yet God is still teaching us to place the timing in His hands.
When God’s time comes, we must not only complete the work. We must also set apart everything we do for Him and allow Him to cleanse, shape and prepare our lives.
Obedience is not a condition through which we purchase God’s presence. Rather, obedience brings us onto the path God has prepared, where we can truly experience His presence, glory and guidance.
Walking into God’s presence means waiting for His timing, preparing ourselves according to His Word, and following His guidance in every step ahead.
Self-Examination
- When all the conditions are ready, am I still willing to seek and wait for God instead of moving ahead according to my own plans?
- Am I only concerned about completing God’s work while neglecting to let Him cleanse, transform and set apart my life?
- Do I only desire to feel God’s presence, or am I also willing to let Him decide when I should move and when I should remain?
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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