Ex. 33:8 to 10- Whenever Moses went to the Tabernacle, all the people would rise and stand in their tent doors watching until he reached its entrance. As he entered, the pillar of cloud would come down and stand at the door while the Lord spoke with Moses. Then all the people worshiped from their tent doors, bowing low to the pillar of cloud. TLB
This tent was not the tabernacle God detailed for the people to build for Him, but was probably the tent Moses used to sit in judgment of cases and to commune with God. Placed outside the camp due to the Israelis idolatrous sin (Ex. 32) it indicated God’s presence had left the camp but He was still available for them to seek there.
I find it very interesting that the people would stand to watch Moses on his walk to the far off tent, continue to watch as he went in and the pillar came down. Notice, they were in their tent doorways. The people then humbled themselves to the pillar. It brings some thoughts to mind:
-Why didn’t they go themselves as my last post talked about their ability to do so?
-They were still staying in the comfort zone of their own tents.
-They were willing to give Jehovah honour, but only at a distance- to the far away God?
It is peculiar that the people were always after Moses to have the relationship with Jehovah while they were content to stay at a distance*. Why is that? Do we the same way, always want our pastors and church leaders to have the relationship while we keep a comfortable distance? Perhaps we find it easier having a connection to our idols just like the Israelis.**
Where is my heart in all of this? Do I stay in the comfort zone of where my relationship with Jehovah is here and now, or do I run out to the Meeting Place to be with Him, pressing through the crowds and not worry about what others think, all to try to know Him better? The Israelis seemed to like God better at a distance: are we that way, or do we seek every opportunity to be with Him?
How often do we watch as other Christians press in to God’s presence, and we feel something is lacking but DO nothing to change it?
I have to ask myself, do I want to be a ‘watcher’ or a ‘doer’?
*Ex. 20:18,19 And all the people are seeing the voices, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and the people see, and move, and stand afar off, and say unto Moses, `Speak thou with us, and we hear, and let not God speak with us, lest we die.'
Ex 33:8 to 10 see above
**Ex 32:1 to 6