Lesson Thirty

A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD

Memory Verse: Exodus 25:8
Further Study: Exodus 25-27; 30; 31; 35; 36; 39:32-40; Patriarch and Prophets: pp. 343-358; 363-373; The Story of Redemption: pp. 151-157; The Bible Story, vol. 2, pp. 177-187

You’re probably aware of the superhero phenomena. The revenue on anything related to superheroes is in the billions of dollars whether it is spent at the movie theater box office or Target. People love these heroes who with their special powers arrive at the last minute to save an individual, a city, or the world.

The Israelites seem to have some superhero issues of their own. For them, God lived at the top of a mountain—a mountain they were forbidden to enter. And while there were occasional black clouds, thunder, and lightning, He seemed distant. With Moses gone, doubt suggested that not only was Moses probably dead, but this God might not show up when you needed Him. 

With Moses gone, doubt suggested not only was Moses probably dead, but this God might not show up when you needed Him.

Of course, their memories were short and their eyes dim. The pillar of cloud that gave shade by day, and warmth by night was God. The miracles that He had done to rescue and redeem them were far too many to count. While God’s plan was unfolding piece by piece, the ability to keep God in focus and fully present seemed to be challenging and problematic. In their doubt and unbelief, they created another god—one that could not see, hear, act, or redeem, but was right in front of them somehow making it “real”.

Unfortunately, for the Israelites, their lack of patience got the better of them. 

Unfortunately, for the Israelites, their lack of patience got the better of them. On the mountain, God was telling Moses what would happen next. Moses and the people were to build a tabernacle, a sanctuary for God to dwell. God would “tabernacle” with them, the very word itself meaning “to be in the midst.” God was not a superhero that watched from afar, but a God that would live with them in the center of their camp.

God was not a superhero that watched from afar, but a God that would live with them in the center of their camp. 

I hope you are thinking what I am thinking. What God did symbolically there in the desert, He did for real two thousand years later. Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth to live “in the midst” of His people. He came to walk, talk, heal, teach, preach, live, and die among us. His name, “God with us,” took the idea of “tabernacle” to a whole new level.

God with us. One cannot help but be renewed.

Digging Deeper 

The wilderness tabernacles occupies 13 chapters in Exodus, almost a third of the entire book. You will find it twice—first in the plans given to Moses by God on the mountain, and then when they actually built it. What separates the two accounts are three important chapters.

Chapter 32 is the golden calf experience. This apostasy was so great that God first threatens to destroy the entire nation and start over with Moses. Moses seeks atonement from God at the end of the chapter and all seems well, until you begin chapter 33.

In the very first verses, God agrees to His promise. He directs them to leave and go to the Promise Land. He’ll provide an angel to lead them, but He will not go with them! This declaration seems to finally penetrate the hearts of the people for they fall into great mourning. They remove their jewelry and show repentance for their sin.

In addition, a “tent of meeting” is set up, not one that takes the place of the tabernacle, but one that allowed God to meet with Moses and the people instead of Moses always having to climb the mountain. But note its placement (33:7) outside the camp. This was an important reminder of their sin. As Moses goes to enter the tent, all the people watch to see if their leader will be accepted. An invitation is given to the people, that all who have a repentant heart may approach the tent of meeting.

Chapter 34 then speaks of a time of renewal of the covenant. Moses receives a new set of tables containing the law. He entreats God to lead them again, to pardon their sin, and accept them as His people. Notice that Moses is on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, exactly the length the first time, but this has a very different ending. He comes down the mountain with the law, and the covenant with God is renewed. Then and only then can the building of the tabernacle begin.

Making it Real

Maybe you’ve heard the expression “pray in your closet.” It is an expression that speaks of a time alone with God with no distractions—a “tent of meeting” if you will. Do you have a “tent of meeting,” a place and a time where you can meet and talk with God without being disturbed? If not, where could it be? Perhaps in the shower. Your bed before drifting off to sleep or first thing waking in the morning. Maybe it is nursing the baby in the wee hours of a dark morning. Maybe it is mowing the lawn. Where can you go and be undisturbed as you commune with God?

Respond & Share

How does God reveal Himself to you? Please share with us in the comments!

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being the grandmother of two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus.

Coming next week:
“GOD’S BEAUTIFUL SANCTUARY”
Psalm 122:1, Exodus 25-27; 30; 31; 35; 36; 39:32-40;
Patriarch and Prophets: pp. 343-358; 363-373;
The Story of Redemption: pp. 151-157; The Bible Story, vol. 2, pp. 177-187