Parasha Pekudei
The Tabernacle is assembled, Moses blesses the people, and God's glory fills the sanctuary.
Overview
Parasha Pekudei closes the Book of Shemot with an accounting of all the materials used in the Tabernacle and the assembly of its components. Moses inspects the work and sees that everything was done exactly as God commanded. He blesses the people.
The Story
On the first day of the first month, Moses erects the Tabernacle, anoints and consecrates all its vessels and the priests. When everything is in place, the cloud of God's glory fills the Tabernacle so completely that Moses cannot enter. The cloud guides Israel in all their journeys — by day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire.
Significance for Noahides
The completion of the Tabernacle and the descent of the divine glory is the culmination of the Exodus. God, who redeemed Israel from Egypt, now dwells among them. The cloud and fire that guide Israel through the wilderness are a visible sign of divine providence — the same providence that guides every person who walks in God's ways.