Year of the Bible: Part Three of Twelve மாதிரி

The Tent of Meeting.

Before the Israelites built the tabernacle, Moses would set up a tent outside the Israelite camp, and there, he would meet with God. God would speak with Moses face-to-face as a man would talk with his friend.

However, there is a tinge of sadness here, and it is this; God's original desire was to meet with and befriend all human beings. We see in today's scripture that the people would only observe and worship from a distance. It states that people who wanted to seek the Lord could approach the tent, but apparently, none did. That is except for Moses, Aaron, Miriam, and Joshua.

Joshua is an intriguing figure here. When Moses had returned to the camp, Joshua, a young man at this time and Moses' assistant, remained there and would not leave. Joshua would have likely been able to hear the interactions between God and Moses and was himself present to worship and receive from the Lord. Is it any wonder why he had such courage and boldness when it came time to spy out the promised land and eventually lead the people in to inherit it?

Moses, Aaron, Miriam, and Joshua were people of God's presence, and they spent time with God and centered their lives around His presence. They received their super-natural confidence and strength to lead God's people from this position. They delighted in the Lord!

Question: God is always with us, and that's a fact! However, we aren't great at recognizing His presence in our day-to-day living. Who have you seen practice a "presence-centered life?" Do you notice any specific fruit of their lifestyle?

Prayer: Father God, I desire to be attentive to your presence in my everyday living and serving. Help me prioritize the reality of You in everything I do. Help me eliminate the distractions that easily drag me away into the swirl of the "unnecessary" and, instead, settle my heart's attention and affections on You alone. Amen!