How can a holy God live among sinful people without destroying them by his very presence? This was the question at Mt. Sinai. The Israelites turned from the Lord to worship a golden calf within days of receiving God's laws.
The Bible book of Exodus tells us of a "tent of meeting" that was constructed to be the center of the encampment everywhere they stayed in the wilderness. God would meet with the people there. Not directly, but through priests, sacrifices, purification ceremonies, and a veil of separation. This Tabernacle allowed God to live among his people safely.
But we also are told of another "tent of meeting" that was at a distance outside the encampment. Throughout the entire time in the wilderness, that tent was available to all who sought the Lord one-on-one. The meetings were direct, not mediated through a third party. Anyone could talk "face-to-face" with the holy God.
Stories in the book of Numbers tell of several meetings at that second tent of meeting, when God invited specific people to come and hear from him. Whenever anyone left the camp to meet with God, it was obvious to everyone. But those who did not go to the tent could only learn about it second hand. We know that both Moses and Joshua voluntarily and repeatedly went to meet with God outside the camp.
The Central Tent of Meeting
Exodus 29:38-46 (ESV)
"Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day regularly. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight . . . , for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there.
"There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God."
The presence of the Lord in the central tent of meeting was visible in the pillar of cloud or fire above it. The priests would relay God's blessings and messages to the people. They would also present the prayers, offerings, and messages of the people to God.
Some of the sacrifices were for the forgiveness of sin. Others were fellowship celebrations and thanks offerings. Most of the activity at the central sanctuary were on a regular schedule to provide a rhythm for the people's worship.
The strict rules for the central tent were designed to accommodate the fears and reluctance of the people to be in God's direct presence or to hear his audible voice. In Exodus 20:18-19 the people had specifically asked for a way to be represented before God by someone else, to protect themselves.
The Remote Tent of Meeting
Exodus 33:7-11 (ESV)
"Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.
"Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent."
The Lord's presence was visible at this second tent, just as it was at the Tabernacle. There was no ordinary schedule for meetings at the remote tent. The invitation was to all, and God made himself available whenever someone came. The initiative to seek the Lord was left in the will of individuals, not commanded at certain times.
This arrangement required a relationship of faith from the seekers toward God. It offered, on the other hand, a free and open communication that went beyond rituals and liturgies.
God's Primary Goal: Community with Communication
Before the release from slavery, God announced his desire to live among his people.
Exodus 6:6-8 (ESV)
"I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.”
Step 1: If you are not sure, come to the central tent and find out what I am like. See that I am your savior and provider. See how I can forgive and free you from sin. Taste my steadfast love. Watch me keep my promises. Listen to my word. Grasp the meaning behind the rituals. Get to know me. Don't try to find satisfaction anywhere else. Trust me. I want you as my people. You need me as your God.
Step 2: If and when you are ready to trust me, you don't have to wait. Your faith is the only qualification needed. Come on out to the remote tent for a direct experience of unity and community. I am always here for you. We can both be real. We are family. It will change you, but in a good and satisfying way. You will be free. Let's talk.
Thanks for sharing this Jerry! I love the way you made this teaching applicable to our current lives. I often think about God dwelling among his people the Israelites and wish that could be true in our present age. I know that God will once more dwell among us and that we can always approach the "tent of meeting" in prayer.
I am going to have to reread that section in the second tent I don’t remember it. I like your Step 1 and Step 2 at the end of the article. I know my Priest, Father Basil would really like Step 1. Funny we had Vespers last night then our class and sometimes after class me and some others go out for a burger and brew and just talk. Last night it was only me and one other so we were standing out in the parking lot for a min not going to go eat just talking when Father came out. We all talked a little and then me like the bozo I am just said what we had all thought tho “ Father you need to come out with us some night” well he did not say no and we talked more about different places we had been etc and said bring Matushka or check when would be good for just you. They are both in their late 60s. The thing that is bothering me is maybe us and me because that is the way I am maybe a personal relationship is not appropriate. It is just weird to me tho that people don’t let you get to know them but sort of stay behind their mask title position etc. as a nurse all my life I was very aware of that and was constantly reaching out to my patients and trying to make a connection where they would see I am just like them we could be each other we are sisters one in Christ I have believed that all my life even before Orthodoxy. So anyways going to clean church this morning I will not say anything because there is nothing for me to apologize for but if anything is said to me I will ask forgiveness for being maybe too straightforward and say I did not mean to barge like a bull in a China shop. That’s all glad I got this off my chest I am used to talking to God in my head like I would talk to myself so maybe need to have more reverence and accept with patience whatever friendship is offered. My Priest actually is very friendly and usually emails me back when I have a question. I guess that’s it he is very approachable and try’s to be one of us and care for us but there is a distance maybe he has to maintain. Just weird for me as I have never let that be with anybody my Doctor, my Mom , my Boss etc we are no different all human beings