Exodus 29:42
For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the tent of meeting, before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you. (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Exodus 29:31-46
The section of Exodus really gets to the heart of the purpose of the tabernacle. Offerings were to be made twice a day every day – one in the morning and one in the evening. These offerings would burn continuously and God said, “There I will meet you and speak to you” (Ex 29:42). God wanted to meet with the Israelites. The sacrifices at the alter in the tabernacle would allow the Israelites to approach God and meet with Him.
These daily offerings were important throughout the history of Israel. King David instituted these same daily offerings as did Solomon and Abijah. Ezra led the exiles back to Jerusalem and would reinstitute the offerings. Daniel and Ezekiel would both mention these daily sacrifices in their description of future visions. God indeed wanted His people to keep the fire burning so He could meet with them.
Leviticus tells us, “The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar” (Lev 6:9). There was never to be a time when the smoke from the offering was not ascending into heaven. The sin of the people continually needed to be appeased with the pleasing aroma from the smoke of the burnt offering.
As long as there was a fire burning and smoke from the offering ascending to God, God said, “There I will meet you and speak to you” (Ex 29-42). There at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the priests would commune with God and meet with him. Our God is a God who desires to be known and who loves to communicate with his people through his Word. God wants us to understand Him and to know Him.
And this brings us to Jesus. These two concepts, God dwelling with his people, and God revealing himself to his people come together in Christ. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Recall that the Hebrew word for dwelling is better translated as tabernacled. Jesus is the revelation of God who came to meet with His people. Jesus came so that God would be known (John 1:18).
Being in God’s word daily or even twice daily is how we meet with God and get to know Him. The priests would meet with God in the morning and evening and commune with Him. We have the ability to meet with God anytime we open His word. What a privilege to live on this side of the cross!
Christ in the Old Testament 
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