Skip to main content

The “Tent of Meeting”


            God’s people were in big trouble.  Shortly after being told that they were to “Have no other gods” and that they were not to make “an idol” (Exodus 20), they, inexplicably, create a Golden Calf and worship it (Exodus 32).  God’s reaction to this incident is to withdraw his presence from the people.  “I will send an angel before you… but I will not go with you” (Exodus 33:2-3).  

            Moses knew that he has to find a way to re-connect the people to God, so he came up with a plan.  “Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting’. Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped each at the entrance to their tent” (Exodus 33:7-10).

            Moses’ “tent of meeting” had two significant functions.  First, it gave the people a place to worship God together.  That is important because, when people come together to worship, they connect to God in a way that they cannot otherwise.  In fact, in Matthew 18:20, Jesus states, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them”.  There is a special blessing to be found when believers come together.

            Secondly, the “Tent of meeting” gave people an opportunity for times of private worship and reflection.  Those who wanted to “inquire of the Lord” would go out to the tent and meet him there.  Worshipping in a group is great, but for our faith to be real and alive we each need some time of private reflection.  We need to set aside time to think and to pray.  The “tent of meeting” provided this opportunity and helped reconstruct the link between God and his people.

            Interestingly, things have not changed that much.  Those times public of worship and private reflection are still absolutely vital to our faith.

            So it is worth asking:  “Do you have a ‘tent of meeting’ in your life?”

            (Ps.  Please know that you would be welcome to worship with us any Sunday.  As well, I have some hints that may help you start a “quiet time” with God.  If you are interested, please contact me at the church office)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Consider This: What is so Great About Grace?

If you were to drive by our house, you would see that Sara loves plants.  Our yard is full of flowers, and Sara lovingly tends every one of them. Which is why I was so afraid when she left town and put me in charge of keeping things alive. She must have been a little concerned, too, because she sent me two videos with specific instructions on how to water, when to water, and what to do.  Honestly, those first two videos helped, but the third one she sent was the one I liked most.  In that one, she said, “Please do your best. I want the yard to look good for the family reunion in two weeks.  However, if something dies, we will dig it out and pretend that it never existed!” That is what grace looks like!  Try your best, do what you can, but if it goes wrong, it will be ok. Sometimes we talk as though grace and effort are opposites.  That is not true.  They are partners. In one place, scripture asks, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone c...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: Thanksgiving in Real Time

                    Thanksgiving weekend means that many of us will spend time together with family and friends, eat a lot of food and think about what we are thankful for in our lives.   Unfortunately, after that, most will go back to their normal routines and leave thankfulness behind.                   What would happen if thanksgiving were part of our everyday life, rather than something we focused on a few times per year?   Where would we even start?                 According to Philippians 1:18-26, the apostle Paul remained joyful and thankful, even while imprisoned for his faith, by holding on to three important practic...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do You See the Angel?

          In the gospels, the story of Jesus’ birth is preceded by the prediction of the birth of “John the Baptist”.              John’s father, Zechariah, was a priest at the temple in Jerusalem.   One day, while he was burning incense to God, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John” (Luke 1:13).               This was surprising news to Zechariah and so he asks, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (verse 18).   That is a logical question, right?   I mean, he is asking for a sign so that he can believe something that seems quite unbelievable.   Who would fault him for that?        ...
Post a Comment
Read more