Les Feldick Bible Study

Could Moses enter the tent of the congregation after the tabernacle was set up?

No. After the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Because that cloud was the very presence of God, Moses was not able to enter the tent of the congregation. That entrance was left for the priest.

Les explains that once the whole tabernacle complex was complete and set up, it was ready for the institution of their worship. As soon as it was set up, a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord, or of Jehovah, filled the tabernacle. Therefore Moses was not able to enter the tent of the congregation. Les notes that this was only going to be left for the priest, and even Moses, great man that he was in God's service, could not go in now. The cloud was the very presence of God, the Shekinah glory, and it abode on the tabernacle. Les connects it to the same cloud that appeared when Israel came out of Goshen and encamped by the Red Sea, which protected them from the Egyptians, became black darkness to the Egyptians, and at night became the pillar of fire. That same cloud now rested over the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was, filling that little back room of the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:35

And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.