This is the time of year in Appalachia that seems perfect for camping and hiking to me; others might prefer the warmer weather, perhaps because of the fun to be had in the rivers and creeks. I am not a "water person"; I love being around water but I don't enjoy being in it- unless you count building pools and waterfalls. I also prefer cooler conditions for sleeping and our region of the country features many fall days with lows in the 40's- just right for breathing in cool air and snuggling in a sleeping bag.
At the right season, God instructed His people to construct for His worship a sanctuary (miqdas) in the form of a tabernacle (hammiskan).
Exodus 25, NKJV
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. 3 And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; 5 ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; 6 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 7 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. 8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.
After many seasons, too many dark and cold, after a mighty Temple was constructed and later overtaken by enemies of God and His people, the loving Father encouraged Ezekiel with these words regarding sanctuary and His heart to tabernacle with His people ever more intimately.
Ezekiel 11:14-21, NKJV 14 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 15 “Son of man, your brethren, your relatives, your countrymen, and all the house of Israel in its entirety, are those about whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Get far away from the Lord; this land has been given to us as a possession.’ 16 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.” ’ 17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” ’ 18 And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. 19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses" are words we can read in the context of Exodus and Moses' life and should pause to consider. Like when Billy Crystal says to Duane Johnson, "it never gets old" when throwing amnesia dust on his face, one imagines that any conversation with God was new and overflowing with moment.
"Again the word of the Lord came to me" was never more comforting than to Ezekiel in this moment. He had just fallen on his face in utter broken sadness.
Ezekiel 11:13, NKJV Now it happened, while I was prophesying, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell on my face and cried with a loud voice, and said, “Ah, Lord God! Will You make a complete end of the remnant of Israel?”
This, then, is the place to live. In conversation with God. A storm in a sparse tent with God is better than a warm castle with all earthly comforts. "Father? What do you have to say to me? What do you think of this? Remind me, what did you say about that?" As an earthly father, these are the questions that never get old, whether implied by listening or posed directly. Of the countless things that creation expresses towards its Creator, the honor of a sincere question is one of the sweetest and most valuable forms of worship.
David comes with a question or two in Psalm 15 and in a recorded conversation with Father shares much wisdom and insight gained by a listening heart.
Psalm 15, Berean Study Bible A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain?
2 He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart,
3 who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,
4 who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
5 who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.
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