Tabernacle, the tent of meeting is something that I read in my devotional today. I read this scripture, which by itself had very little meaning for me …
Exodus 33:7
7 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. (NIV)
So What Does This Mean?
So what? What is the significance of a tent of meeting? Why record that? In my modern-day mind, it means nothing. But the word of God is divinely inspired, and every aspect has meaning for us. As I read, scripture says anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent outside the camp. When Moses was in the tent, he would speak with God… for He came to the tent as well.
Exodus 33:11(a)
11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend…
Now I get it! Whenever Moses needed time with God, he would go to the tent of meeting, which we now call tabernacle, and spend time with God.
Just Pray – you don’t need a tabernacle, the tent of meeting.
It’s what we do when we pray. We, however, don’t have to go to a special tent. All we need to do is to decide to pray. Sure, we may prefer a nice quiet place where we can focus on God and not all the stuff going on in our lives. The beauty is, in this time of prayer, it is just God and you. You may tell God about all the stuff going on in your life, thank and praise him for helping you get through every day, or ask him for help by granting you guidance, wisdom, and direction. It is something we should do, but we also need to focus on him.
However, my moment of clarity, my gleaning, came when I realized we have such a boon over Moses. We have the Holy Spirit within us, as the Children of God, as followers of Christ. Because of that, we don’t have to go somewhere to meet God; He is with us through His spirit all the time! We are never alone and we don’t need anyone else to intercede on our behalf with God, as Moses did on behalf of the Israelites. We have direct access!
24/7 Access
While Moses had to go to the tent of meeting, later called the tabernacle, all we need to do is to choose to pray. There is no need to go anywhere, unless you want to, or have a special place you like to pray. We have 24/7 access. He is always there to listen, and He always responds, you just have to be open, listen and wait.
We are the tabernacle! We are the tent of meeting!
How incredible is that? Praise be to God for his goodness, grace, and mercy.
Blessings,
Jana