The Bible Recap — Day 043 (Exodus 39–40) — Year 8
Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: February 12, 2026
Main Theme:
A recap and reflection on Exodus chapters 39 and 40, highlighting Israel’s obedience in constructing the tabernacle, the priestly garments, and the profound moment when God’s glory fills the tabernacle. The episode also looks ahead to the upcoming books of the Bible and encourages listeners to engage even in less narrative-heavy sections.
Episode Overview
Tara-Leigh Cobble walks listeners through the conclusion of Exodus, focusing on the faithful completion of the tabernacle and the installation of the priesthood. She draws parallels between the creation in Genesis and the construction of the tabernacle, emphasizes the significance of consecration and holiness, and anticipates the journey ahead for both the Israelites and listeners as the Bible reading plan transitions to Leviticus.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Purpose of the Priestly Garments and Tabernacle Completion
- Tara-Leigh emphasizes that the priestly garments are “not just fancy clothes. They serve a function.” [00:03]
- Priests act as mediators between God and the people, carrying the names of Israel’s tribes into God’s presence and making sacrifices.
- When the tabernacle and garments are finished, Moses inspects the work and sees it done “as the Lord had commanded, and he blessed them.” [00:59–01:03]
- Quote:
“These parallels are intentional. Remember, the tabernacle is a step in the direction of God, restoring what was broken by sin in the Garden of Eden.” [01:03]
- Quote:
2. The Tabernacle as a Symbol of God’s Desire to Dwell with His People
- Tara-Leigh frames the tabernacle as a reflection of God’s pursuit of relationship:
- “God just can't stay away from his people. So now Moses has all these tabernacle parts, and it's his job to assemble it all.” [01:16]
- She humorously compares Moses’ task to assembling IKEA furniture and reminds that God provided detailed instructions.
3. Consecration of the Tabernacle and Its Furnishings
- The objects in the tabernacle are ordinary materials made holy through anointing with oil.
- “There's nothing special about these things, but they're in God's sanctuary, and he said to make them holy.” [01:36]
- Tara-Leigh explains the symbolism of oil:
- “The point of the oil is not the oil itself... the purpose of the oil is in establishing that this thing it's being put on is set apart for sacred use.” [02:00]
- Personal anecdote: When joining her church, she was anointed with oil as a reminder “that my life is to be set apart for use by God. Yours too, by the way.” [02:18]
4. Establishment of the Aaronic Priesthood
- After the consecrations, Aaron and his sons are set apart as priests.
- Tara-Leigh clarifies misconceptions around priesthood, contrasting with the Catholic priesthood:
- “Aaron and Moses are from the tribe of Levi, so they're called Levites... There's no requirement of celibacy or singleness here. In fact, Abraham and his descendants... have been encouraged to multiply.” [03:11]
5. Historical Context and Narrative Recap
- The tabernacle’s completion occurs about one year after leaving Egypt, just before Passover:
- “They're a little more than a week away from celebrating their first Passover in the wilderness, which is actually the second Passover since the first one was in Egypt.” [03:34]
- She invites listeners to reflect on what they’ve learned so far and sets expectations for upcoming, less narrative-heavy books:
- “Don't give up. There's good stuff for us in the days ahead, I promise. Ask God for wisdom. Ask him to open your eyes and you'll get something out of it you've never seen before.” [04:07]
6. Encouragement to Empathize with the Israelites
- Tara-Leigh paints a vivid picture:
- “You're a freed slave living in the wilderness with 3 million other freed slaves. An old guy with a shiny face who wears a veil is in charge of everything, and you're being led by a God who lives in a cloud.” [04:31]
- She summarizes the journey: doubts, provision, sin, and God’s unceasing presence.
7. The ‘God Shot’: God’s Glory Filling the Tabernacle
- Tara-Leigh’s standout moment (“God shot”) is Exodus 40:35:
- “Moses was not able to enter the Tent of Meeting because the clouds settled on it and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” [05:34]
- She marvels:
“I've never encountered fog I couldn't walk through... There is a density to the presence of God here. This cloud fills the tabernacle every square inch. It seems his glory is dense, his presence is undeniable, and he's where the joy is.” [05:44–05:56]
8. Looking Ahead and Encouragement
- Listeners are prepped for Leviticus and encouraged not to lose momentum.
- Mention of a Leviticus overview video available in the show notes for those who want a preview. [06:05]
9. Milestone: Completing the Third Book of the Bible
- Tara-Leigh celebrates finishing Exodus and prompts listeners to reflect on their growth and the narrative so far. [04:01]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On the purpose of the priestly garments
“These aren't just fancy clothes. They serve a function. In the service of the tabernacle, the priest is acting as a mediator between God and man.” (Tara-Leigh, [00:10]) - On God restoring relationship:
“The tabernacle is a step in the direction of God, restoring what was broken by sin in the Garden of Eden, where he dwelled with Adam and Eve in peace.” (Tara-Leigh, [01:03]) - On consecrating with oil:
“The point of the oil is not the oil itself... the purpose of the oil is in establishing that this thing it's being put on is set apart for sacred use.” (Tara-Leigh, [02:00]) - Empathizing with the Israelites:
“You're a freed slave living in the wilderness with 3 million other freed slaves. An old guy with a shiny face who wears a veil is in charge of everything, and you're being led by a God who lives in a cloud.” (Tara-Leigh, [04:31]) - On God’s undeniable presence:
“There is a density to the presence of God here. This cloud fills the tabernacle every square inch. It seems his glory is dense, his presence is undeniable, and he's where the joy is.” (Tara-Leigh, [05:51])
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:01–01:03 — Introduction; priestly garments, parallels with creation, and tabernacle completion.
- 01:04–02:40 — Consecration of the tabernacle’s objects and significance of anointing oil.
- 02:41–03:34 — Establishment of Aaron’s priestly line; clarification on the nature of Old Testament priesthood.
- 03:35–04:07 — Timeline context; encouragement before entering Leviticus.
- 04:08–04:54 — Empathy exercise: imagining life as a newly freed Israelite.
- 05:34–06:05 — The “God shot”: God’s glory filling the tabernacle.
- 06:06–07:09 — Preview of Leviticus and resources for further study.
- 07:10–07:31 — Announcement of TBR Kids resources (skip for core summary).
Tone and Style
Tara-Leigh Cobble uses a conversational, warm, and occasionally witty tone—mixing lighthearted analogies with deep theological insight. She emphasizes encouragement and empathy, inviting listeners to see themselves in the biblical narrative and not to be daunted by upcoming, more challenging passages.
Summary for New Listeners
This episode wraps up Exodus by highlighting Israel’s careful obedience, the profound symbolism behind the tabernacle and its objects, and the dramatic, joyous arrival of God’s glory in the camp. Tara-Leigh provides narrative context, clears up misconceptions about the priesthood, and readies listeners for the transition into Leviticus—reminding all that even in “dry spots,” God’s presence is “where the joy is.”