The Bible Dept. Podcast: Day 107 – Exodus 39-40

Release Date: April 17, 2025

Overview

In Day 107 of The Bible Dept. podcast, host Dr. Manny Arango delves into Exodus chapters 39 and 40, culminating the Book of Exodus with a profound exploration of God’s presence among the Israelites. Dr. Arango emphasizes that while the Book of Exodus begins with a literary portrayal of God's absence, it concludes with a dramatic manifestation of His presence, setting a pivotal pattern that resonates throughout biblical history and into the New Testament.

Context Clues

Dr. Arango begins by highlighting the often-overlooked conclusion of Exodus, noting, “Most people don't make it to the end of the book of Exodus” ([04:15]). He explains that the narrative transition from God's absence to His presence is central to understanding the entire book. The climax occurs in Exodus 40:34-38, where Dr. Arango reads:

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it. [...] The cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels” (Exodus 40:34-38).

This passage marks the fulfillment of meticulous instructions given by God for constructing the tabernacle—a portable sanctuary reflecting God’s desire to dwell among His people even as they journey through the wilderness.

Dr. Arango draws parallels between the tabernacle and later temples, particularly Solomon’s Temple, noting, “When Solomon builds the temple, here's how it concludes in Second Chronicles, chapter 7. [...] the glory of the Lord filled the temple” ([08:45]). However, he points out that subsequent attempts to rebuild the temple never achieved the same divine manifestation, emphasizing the unique significance of God’s presence in these sacred spaces.

Transitioning to the New Testament, Dr. Arango identifies two key moments that mirror the Exodus climax:

1. Jesus in the Temple at Age 12: Jesus embodies the glory of God, symbolizing God's presence in the temple ([15:30]).
2. Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2: The Holy Spirit fills the church, analogous to the cloud and fire in the tabernacle, signifying the church as the new dwelling place of God ([20:10]).

These connections illustrate a continuing divine narrative where God’s presence is central to His relationship with humanity, ultimately fulfilled in the church through the Holy Spirit.

Nerdy Nuggets

Dr. Arango delights in unpacking the intricate relationships between Exodus and Genesis, revealing deep theological connections. He compares:

• Exodus 39:43: “Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it, just as the Lord commanded, so Moses blessed them.”

• Genesis 1:31: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

This parallel emphasizes a continuity in divine approval through inspection and blessing. Further, he draws a connection between:

• Exodus 40:33: “Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtains of the tent of the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.”

• Genesis 2:1-2: “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”

These "finished" actions in both Genesis and Exodus foreshadow Jesus’ declaration on the cross, “It is finished,” which Dr. Arango interprets as the culmination of the new creation project—restoring the relationship between humanity and the divine.

Timeless Truths

A recurring theme in Exodus 39 and 40 is the adherence to God's commands, evident in the repeated phrases like “As the Lord commanded Moses” found throughout Exodus 39 ([34:22]). Dr. Arango distills two key principles from this pattern:

1. Desire for God’s Voice Requires Obedience to His Commands:

   • “If I not ready to hear God command that I do something. [...] God's not just going to keep talking to you, telling you things like, 'go ahead, obey the last thing God told you to do so that you can make yourself eligible to hear some new stuff from God.’” ([25:50])

   This principle underscores the necessity of obedience as a prerequisite for deepening one's relationship with God. Without acting on His commands, believers may find themselves ignored, not because God withdraws His attention but because obedience creates the space for divine communication.

2. Leadership as Mediators of God’s Commands:

   • “The leaders hearing God and [...] obey God by listening and doing what they tell me to do.” ([27:15])

   Dr. Arango highlights the biblically rooted dynamic where God communicates through leaders—like Moses—and the community follows. He challenges contemporary Christians to respect and obey their spiritual leaders, aligning themselves with God’s directives conveyed through these figures. This obedience serves as a tangible expression of faith, bridging the gap between divine command and personal action.

   He critiques the modern inclination toward a democratic approach to divine communication, advocating instead for a model where leaders discern and relay God’s will, fostering unity and clarity within the community.

Conclusion

Dr. Manny Arango’s exploration of Exodus 39-40 in The Bible Dept. podcast offers listeners a rich, scholarly, and spiritually nourishing journey through the climax of the Book of Exodus. By drawing intricate connections between Old Testament themes and their New Testament fulfillments, Dr. Arango not only illuminates the text but also provides practical applications for contemporary faith practice. His emphasis on obedience, leadership, and the centrality of God’s presence invites believers to deeper engagement with Scripture and a more disciplined walk with God.

As Dr. Arango closes, he encourages continued perseverance in the Bible reading journey, hinting at further explorations into Leviticus and beyond. For those seeking to connect more profoundly with Scripture, The Bible Dept. offers an accessible yet profound platform to engage with the timeless truths of the Bible.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Manny Arango [04:15]: “Most people don't make it to the end of the book of Exodus.”
• Dr. Manny Arango [08:45]: “When Solomon builds the temple, [...] the glory of the Lord filled the temple.”
• Dr. Manny Arango [15:30]: “Jesus in the temple at age 12 is definitely the New Testament author saying to us, hey, the glory has come back to the temple.”
• Dr. Manny Arango [25:50]: “I can't say that I want to hear the voice of God, if I'm not ready to hear God command that I do something.”
• Dr. Manny Arango [27:15]: “The leaders hear God and the community obeys the leaders, which is effectively obeying God.”

Stay Connected

To continue exploring the Bible in a transformative way, subscribe to The Bible Dept. podcast and download the 365-day Bible reading plan from thebibledepartment.com. Join Dr. Manny Arango and a community of fellow believers on this enlightening journey through Scripture.