This morning I continue in this chapter. There is a change of focus in the chapter at this point. It begins by speaking of Moses moving the his tent of meeting (tabernacle) outside of the camp. Whereas before, Moses' tent was within the camp, this move graphically shows how YHWH had separated Himself from dwelling within the midst of the people to dwelling outside, still near, but not within. The difference here is very significant. YHWH did not leave the Israelites, but by meeting with Moses outside the camp, He spared them from being consumed by His just punishment for their gross sin of idolatry. This shows (also graphically) how sin separates us from God. Interesting, the purpose for the separation in this chapter is given as to prevent God from consuming them. This is an act of grace on God's part. I have always thought of the separation from God being because He cannot dwell with sinfulness. However, this chapter puts a new viewpoint on this separation that I had not realized before. Even though YHWH was outside of the camp, He is always omnipresent, therefore, always near enough for us to call upon Him.
The people would go to Moses' tent of meeting (Tabernacle) to seek YHWH. Whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle (his tent), all of the people rose and stood at the door of their tents and watched Moses until he had entered this tabernacle. Whereas before Moses would go up Mt. Sinai to meet with YHWH, now YHWH meet with Moses at his tent, descending with the cloudy pillar, positioning before the door of the tent. In this way, YHWH spoke with Moses. When this happened, all the people rose and worshipped YHWH, each at their own tent doorway. What a beautiful depiction of worship being done by the Israelites without any false image, but because God's Presence was evident in the pillar of clouds at the door of Moses' tent. They would drop all that they were doing and stand in honor of YHWH and worship Him. Worship was simple here.
This morning I continue in this chapter. There is a change of focus in the chapter at this point. It begins by speaking of Moses moving the his tent of meeting (tabernacle) outside of the camp. Whereas before, Moses' tent was within the camp, this move graphically shows how YHWH had separated Himself from dwelling within the midst of the people to dwelling outside, still near, but not within. The difference here is very significant. YHWH did not leave the Israelites, but by meeting with Moses outside the camp, He spared them from being consumed by His just punishment for their gross sin of idolatry. This shows (also graphically) how sin separates us from God. Interesting, the purpose for the separation in this chapter is given as to prevent God from consuming them. This is an act of grace on God's part. I have always thought of the separation from God being because He cannot dwell with sinfulness. However, this chapter puts a new viewpoint on this separation that I had not realized before. Even though YHWH was outside of the camp, He is always omnipresent, therefore, always near enough for us to call upon Him.
The people would go to Moses' tent of meeting (Tabernacle) to seek YHWH. Whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle (his tent), all of the people rose and stood at the door of their tents and watched Moses until he had entered this tabernacle. Whereas before Moses would go up Mt. Sinai to meet with YHWH, now YHWH meet with Moses at his tent, descending with the cloudy pillar, positioning before the door of the tent. In this way, YHWH spoke with Moses. When this happened, all the people rose and worshipped YHWH, each at their own tent doorway. What a beautiful depiction of worship being done by the Israelites without any false image, but because God's Presence was evident in the pillar of clouds at the door of Moses' tent. They would drop all that they were doing and stand in honor of YHWH and worship Him. Worship was simple here.
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