"Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp."
(Exodus 33:7)
In the context of this portion of Scripture, the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord by worshiping an idol that they had made with their own hands. While Moses had been up on the mountaintop for forty days receiving the commandments from God, the people persuaded Aaron, Moses’s brother, to make a golden calf which they worshiped as God. They committed all sorts of abominable acts in the sight of God and when Moses came down from the mountain, he became angry and broke the tablets containing the commandments that God had written with His own finger. Moses then took that idol and burned it and ground it to powder and then scattered it in the water. He then said to the people, “whoever is on the Lord’s side-come to me”. A separation occurred and the result was that three thousand people died that day who had refused the invitation.
Moses then returned to the Lord to make intercession for the people and the Lord declared that He would forgive them but also indicated that He would not accompany them on their journey to the promised land and instead would send His Angel.
This was terrible news to the children of Israel and they mourned for their great sin realizing God’s Presence was the greatest blessing they could ever have and now they have lost that blessing. Even though the promised land was filled with milk and honey and was a very fruitful land, what does it matter without God’s presence.
And so, "Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp."
Aside from the context of this verse, these words have been for me the source of great joy and peace and blessing as I see in it an invitation for me, (and you), to have fellowship with God my Creator and Savior. I cannot count the times that I have started my day with this portion of Scripture and found it to be something that shapes my thinking and attitude for the whole day and into the night.
Separation from the noise of this world.
As Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, I see first a separation from the noise of the world. For Moses, the camp itself was a very large one with millions of people. Can you imagine the never-ending activity generated by that many people in one place? Our world is no different than Moses’s world and in fact I believe we have even more things to distract us. Can you relate to this at all. We need a place where we can meet with our Lord as Moses had this place to meet with God. Even Jesus, God’s own Son understood this as He often withdrew Himself into the wilderness to pray (Luke 5:16)
In subsequent blogs we will explore this wonderful privilege that we have been given to come and find His grace.
Our world today is fraught with busyness and extremely fast paced. Our eyes and ears see and hear so much with televisions, radios, cell phones and Ipads. The internet provides for us instant access to all kinds of news and information to say nothing of websites that will corrupt our lives. All of this has a profound effect on our hearts and minds and deeply troubles our souls. How much of our population is being medicated to combat the anxiety that comes from the exposure to all of this. Jesus said, “Don’t let you heart be troubled” We need to take our tent and pitch it outside the camp, far from the camp and meet with the Lord.
“And it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.”
Everyone invited!
Notice that the invitation was extended to everyone. Not just Moses, not just Joshua. Everyone that desired to seek the Lord was invited to the tent of meeting. All who needed answers. All who needed wisdom. All who needed guidance. The Lord says in Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love Me, And those who seek Me diligently will find Me." And in Jeremiah 29:12,13 He says, “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." God’s promise is that if you seek Him you will find Him and He will listen to you.
Yes, all were invited, but how many responded? How do you respond to this invitation?
Taste and see that the Lord is good!
King David said, “one thing have I desired and that will I seek after. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4) David’s heart was a heart after God and desired God’s presence more than anything else.
He wrote in Psalm 63:1,2 "O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory."
David desired not only God’s presence but also His blessing!
"Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple." (Psalms 65:4)
It will come back to your heart and your desire. If you desire, you are invited!
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (Psalms 34:8)
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