A PLACE FOR GOD TO DWELL

One of the key directions of the Bible’s story is of God returning to humanity. After humanity’s relationship with God was broken in the Garden of Eden, His promise was that He would work to renew that relationship that had become a source of fear.

Of course, we see this promise fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus, who “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). We also anticipate it in Jesus’ promises to return and in Revelation’s final proclamation that “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them” (Revelation 21:3). The sanctuary in the wilderness was an earlier and important step in this biblical momentum. First introduced as the Israelites set out on their journey out of Egypt, the pillar of cloud and fire was a day-and-night visual reminder of God’s leading, comforting, and protecting presence among them (see Exodus 13:21, 22). Now, that Presence would have a tent among their tents, with the promise that God would be with them all the way to their destination. But God’s tent would be a special tent, rich with symbols and stories that would teach the people about Him. It would be a place of beauty to which all the people would contribute, and it would be made using the work of their finest artisans. The people were not to forget God’s power demonstrated in His judgments against Egypt or in the thunder and lightning of Mount Sinai, but God would also be an everyday Presence among them, not only to be worshiped but also to be trusted. If He was a foe, He was one to be feared, but He was also a traveling companion and guide with whom to be fearless.

He would order when and where they would go, but He would also go with them.