The Wake-Up Call: “Why Is Moses Locked Out?”

Host: Andrew Forrest (Seedbed)
Date: February 15, 2026
Main Scripture: Exodus 40:34-38

Episode Overview

In this devotional episode, Andrew Forrest explores the concluding verses of the Book of Exodus, focusing on why Moses—despite leading the Israelites faithfully—finds himself unable to enter the newly completed tabernacle. Forrest bridges scripture, reflection, and the Christian narrative of redemption, guiding listeners through the biblical theme of God’s holiness, humanity’s separation due to sin, and the ultimate hope fulfilled in Jesus. The episode features a meditation on worship, a communal prayer, journal prompts, and closes with a reflection on the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene and Personal Reflection

• Church as Gathering and Gift (00:03 – 02:30)
  • Andrew shares his excitement and sense of urgency about Sunday worship, drawing from personal experiences as a pastor during the pandemic.
  • Quote: “Never, ever, ever… ever want to take a Sunday morning for granted.”
  • Announcement of a new Seedbed video course based on his book Love Goes First.

2. Scripture Reading and Main Question

• Exodus 40:34-38 (02:31 – 03:14)
  • Andrew reads the final verses of Exodus, where the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle and Moses is unable to enter.
  • Sets up the central question: Why can’t Moses enter?

3. Exodus in Context: From Egypt to Tabernacle

• Redemption Theme (03:15 – 05:15)
  • The narrative arc: From slavery in Egypt to a covenant at Sinai, to the construction of the tabernacle.
  • God is not just taking the people out of Egypt, but Egypt out of the people—transforming them internally.

4. Moses Locked Out: The Problem of Sin and Holiness

• Barrier to God’s Presence (05:16 – 06:20)
  • Despite the tabernacle’s purpose—giving access to God’s life—even Moses is excluded.
  • Quote: “The entire purpose of the tabernacle was to give Israel access to the life of God. But now even Moses is unable to draw near. Why? Because of the sin of the people.”

5. Atonement and the Path Forward

• Looking Ahead to Leviticus and the Cross (06:21 – 07:30)
  • The following book, Leviticus, will detail how atonement is made, prefiguring Christ’s sacrifice.
  • Quote: “Sinful humanity cannot exist in the presence of God. But God does not give up on his desire to share his divine eternal life with his human creatures.”
  • Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment: “His life permanently breaks the power of sin and death which has held humanity enslaved since the Garden of Eden.”

6. Worship and Forgiveness in the Present Day

• Holy Communion and Assurance of Forgiveness (07:31 – 08:15)
  • Andrew describes how communion in his church connects the Exodus theme to Christian practice—through confession and the word of forgiveness.
  • Memorable Moment: The assurance—“Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, which proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.”
  • The privilege of approaching God today through Jesus.

7. Reflection and Prayer

• Appreciating Salvation (08:16 – 08:47)
  • Prayerful gratitude for the unearned gift of salvation and invitation to delight in God’s presence.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Worship Post-Pandemic (00:40):
  “Never, ever, ever again will I waste an opportunity.”

• On Exodus’s Open Ending (05:10):
  “There’s not a neat bow on the narrative here. Rather, there is a major outstanding item that needs to be addressed.”

• On Sin and Access to God (05:45):
  “Did you catch this? Moses is unable to enter its confines… even Moses is unable to draw near. Why? Because of the sin of the people.”

• On Jesus as the Fulfiller (06:50):
  “Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice to which all other sacrifices point. And his life permanently breaks the power of sin and death which has held humanity enslaved since the Garden of Eden.”

• On the Assurance of Forgiveness (07:41):
  “Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, which proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.”

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Content | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Introduction, Sunday morning reflections, importance of corporate worship, mention of Love Goes First | | 02:31 | Scripture reading: Exodus 40:34-38 | | 03:15 | Recap of Exodus—slavery to covenant and tabernacle | | 05:16 | The issue: Moses locked out of the tabernacle | | 06:21 | Transition to Leviticus, sin, and the ultimate hope in Jesus | | 07:31 | Holy Communion, liturgy of forgiveness | | 08:16 | Prayer reflecting on salvation and God’s invitation | | 08:48 | Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision” | | 10:32 | Reflection on hymn’s meaning—Father/Son/Spirit relationship |

Journal Prompts (08:20)

• Why can’t Moses enter the tabernacle once the glory of God descends upon it?
• What would happen if sinful humanity were actually able to receive eternal life while remaining in sin?
• Through faith, you can come into the presence of God—what’s stopping you?

Reflection on the Hymn “Be Thou My Vision” (08:48 – 11:00)

• Theological Insight:
  • Forrest explains the line, “Thou my great Father, and I thy true son,” highlighting the participation of all believers in the relationship between Father and Son, by the Spirit.
  • Quote: “Jesus the Son brings us into the relationship he has with the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit… being brought into that relationship. That’s ultimately God’s desire—to bring us into the heart of his divine love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Closing Thoughts

Andrew Forrest ends with a prayer that listeners would tangibly experience the love of God and be awakened to their place within the divine relationship, reinforcing the theme that access to God—locked to Moses in Exodus—is now flung wide through Christ.

“For the awakening, I’m Andrew Forrest, and I’ll see you on the field.” (11:14)

Summary Takeaways

• Exodus ends with open questions—a people redeemed, yet still separated by sin.
• Moses’s exclusion from the tabernacle is a sign that more is needed: true atonement.
• Leviticus and, ultimately, Christ’s sacrifice provide the answer.
• In Christ, all can draw near and enter God’s presence—a privilege not to be taken lightly.
• Today, consider what keeps you from God, and accept the invitation to fuller relationship, assured of forgiveness and love.