A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace
Episode: Season 4, Week 14, Day 4: Connecting Exodus 40:34-38 & John 1:10-14
Release Date: April 3, 2025
Hosts: Beth and Alexa from The Daily Grace Co.
Introduction to the Episode
In this episode of "A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace," hosts Beth and Alexa guide listeners through the intricate connections between the Old and New Testaments, specifically focusing on Exodus 40:34-38 and John 1:10-14. This episode is part of Season 4, which follows the "Christ in All of Scripture" reading plan, aiming to demonstrate how every part of the Bible points to Jesus Christ.
Exploring the Central Theme: God's Dwelling with His People
Beth opens the discussion by setting the stage for the episode’s focus on God’s desire to dwell among His people. She outlines the study's objective: to explore how Jesus Christ fulfills the Old Testament's portrayal of God's presence.
Key Quote:
"Each week we will dive deeply into two passages of Scripture, one from the Old Testament and one from the New, seeing how they connect and point to Jesus."
— Beth [00:00]
Jesus as the Fulfillment of God's Dwelling
Alexa takes the lead in delving into the scripture passages. She emphasizes that John 1:14 reveals Jesus as the incarnation of the Word, who made God’s presence tangible by taking on human flesh. This act of becoming human allowed Jesus to live among the people without the barriers that previously existed due to sin.
Key Insights:
- Jesus’ Incarnation: By becoming flesh, Jesus fulfilled God’s plan to dwell intimately with His people, overcoming the separation caused by sin.
- Contrast with Moses: Unlike Moses, who could not enter the tabernacle due to God's overwhelming glory (Exodus 40:34-38), Jesus could freely interact with and touch people, symbolizing a new kind of divine presence.
Notable Quote:
"Jesus walked amongst people without any limitations. Through Jesus, God was able to be truly with his people."
— Alexa [00:49]
The Continuity of God's Plan from Genesis to Eternity
Beth further expands the discussion by tracing the narrative from Genesis through Exodus to the New Testament. She highlights the fall of man in Genesis 3:8 and how it disrupted the direct relationship between God and humanity. However, God's unwavering plan to restore this relationship culminates in Christ.
Key Points:
- Genesis to Exodus: Adam and Eve’s sin introduced separation from God, yet God's presence remained symbolically present (“the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden”).
- Tabernacle as a Foreshadowing: The tabernacle represented God’s temporary dwelling among His people, pointing forward to the ultimate dwelling through Jesus.
Key Quote:
"God had a plan to restore his relationship with mankind and to be with his people again. And we see that plan fulfilled through Christ."
— Beth [02:09]
Symbolism of Tents and Eternal Dwelling
The conversation shifts to the symbolic language connecting tents in the Old Testament to Jesus’ role in the New Testament. Alexa reveals an enlightening connection between the Hebrew word for "dwell" (שכן, shaken) and "tabernacle," which also means "to pitch a tent."
Key Insights:
- Tabernacle and Dwell: The tabernacle, a tent, signified God's temporary dwelling. Jesus, as the ultimate tabernacle, signifies God's eternal and unbounded presence with humanity.
- Eternal Perspective: This connection not only ties God's past interactions with His people to the present but also points forward to the future eternity where God will dwell with His people permanently.
Notable Quote:
"The word 'dwell' means tabernacle, or to pitch a tent. How amazing is it that God established the tabernacle so that he could dwell in a tent... point forward to eternity, when God will fully dwell with his people forever."
— Alexa [03:01]
Conclusion and Forward Look
As the episode wraps up, Beth and Alexa reflect on the depth of God's revelation through scripture and the significance of Jesus as the culmination of this divine narrative. They express anticipation for fully experiencing God's glory in eternity, as seen through the lens of the biblical story.
Closing Remarks:
"It's crazy to think about how God's plan of restoration has meant that he reveals Himself to his people more and more each time he acts in the world. I can only imagine how crazy it will be to see his glory fully revealed in eternity."
— Beth [03:47]
They encourage listeners to continue engaging with the study, hinting at practical applications in the following episodes.
Additional Resources and Engagement
Beth and Alexa invite listeners to explore further resources available on thedailygraceco.com, including studies, journals, and other materials designed to deepen one’s love for God and His Word. They also promote their social media channels for ongoing encouragement and Bible study tools.
Final Quote:
"Be sure to check out our show notes for some helpful links and resources related to today's episode... We're looking forward to studying God's Word with you again tomorrow."
— Alexa [04:14]
Key Takeaways
- Christ-Centered Scripture: Every part of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, points to Jesus Christ as the central figure.
- God’s Desire for Intimacy: Through Jesus’ incarnation, God achieves an unprecedented level of intimacy and presence with His people.
- Symbolic Continuity: The use of tents and tabernacles in the Old Testament serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ eternal dwelling with humanity.
- Restoration through Christ: Jesus embodies the fulfillment of God’s plan to restore the broken relationship caused by sin, bridging the gap between God and man.
This episode eloquently ties together foundational biblical narratives, demonstrating the seamless thread of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Whether you’re following the study independently or alongside the podcast, Beth and Alexa provide profound insights that enrich one’s understanding of scripture and the unifying presence of Christ throughout the biblical story.