Accounting for the End of Exodus

The end of the book of Exodus is simultaneously the beginning of a new chapter. It is, to be sure, a satisfying conclusion to the turn of events that have been narrated in this book, but much more must happen before the ideas and events from this book can be brought to their full conclusion. That the book of Leviticus begins where Exodus leaves off, without introduction or even disruption, proves the point. It also raises a question about the concluding verses of Exodus, especially vv36-38. This reflection will consider that question for the sake of helping us read the Bible well.

If we set Exod 40:36-38 aside, the move from Exodus to Leviticus is quite seamless. Consider the effect of bracketing these verses out and having Exod 40:34-35 immediately precede Lev 1:1: “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. But Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it and the glory of YHWH filled the tabernacle. Then he called to Moses, and YHWH spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying…” It seems that Leviticus is a seamless continuation both logically and grammatically from Exod 40:35. Indeed, it seems that Lev 1:1 begins to resolve the crisis that Moses could not enter the tabernacle because what follows Lev 1:1 is a series of regulations regarding the sacrifices that Israel must make. That is to say, the sacrificial system as presented in Leviticus is what resolves the crisis. Why, then, do we have vv36-38 at the end of Exodus 40? Are they an intrusion on this seamless narrative? In short, they are not an intrusion but a fitting conclusion to the book of Exodus as a whole. More precisely, they are an editorial conclusion that actually allow the book of Exodus to cover the entirety of the wilderness wanderings clear into the events of the book of Joshua.

In that regard, they are a fitting conclusion because they bring the whole book of Exodus full circle, connecting the promises in Genesis with their realization all the way to the promised land. After all, remember that Exod 1:1ff retread the ground that had just been covered by the last chapters of Genesis. Specifically, in Genesis 46, God affirms that Jacob’s journey to Egypt was the right thing to do. In fact, God says to Jacob, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes” (Gen 46:3-4 ESV). This affirmation by God is a reiteration of the covenant promise that he had made to Abraham many years prior. In Gen 15:13-14 (ESV), the Lord says, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.” So, then, Exod 1:1 picks up this thread from Genesis and begins to carry it forward, but Exod 40:36-38 brings it to the finish line. With this editorial conclusion, God’s words to Jacob that he “will also bring you up again” are tied up nicely. And, we should note that this is true even though the time between Exodus 1 and 40 was a bit of a roller coaster, as will be the time between Exodus 40 and Joshua 3. Regardless, vv36-38 are a fitting conclusion to the book of Exodus.

With respect to helping read the Bible better, you should notice that vv36-38 appear to be an editorial insertion in the larger narrative. Then, you should reflect on why that might be the case. Then, you should look to the larger story of Scripture for help. Having a 30,000 ft view of the story of redemption helps in particular because it keeps us focused on what’s really important. After all, the tabernacle itself is only important insofar as it supports the much larger objective of God dwelling with his people. It points to the promised land and ultimately to the new heavens and the new earth as the true fulfillment. With that in mind, this ending of Exodus helps to keep us grounded in the greater promise because it pushes us beyond the tabernacle to the promised land. May we read our Bibles well so that we might be enriched by the depth of the riches and wisdom of God contained in it.