Public Library = Tons ‘o’ Classical/Romantic Music #booyah (Taken with instagram)
A lot has happened. Moses has just broken the tablets of the law, dealt with the ‘golden calf’ incident, and God is now saying that He won’t go with them to Canaan because they are a stiff-necked people.
Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.“ The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.“ (Exodus 33:12-14)
During this Exodus, Moses has been the mediator—the mouthpiece—between God and His people. So, when he left for Mt. Sinai to receive the law from God, the Israelites had no idea if he was coming back. Their one connection to God was gone. So, what do they do? They revert back to what they know: building stuff. The Israelites are what you might call a ‘do-it-yourself’ kind of people. They build their own mediator—an idol made out of gold in the shape of a calf—to represent their God. But that’s never the answer. We cannot fully grasp God, we cannot box Him into something we can understand, nor can we ever force our way into His presence. But the good news is: God desires to dwell with His people, and desires for us to know Him. God then instructs Moses to bring Him two stone tablets like before, and God writes out the Law again for His people.
This marks fifty days after the Passover, the time when God delivered His people from death and slavery, and began leading them to a Promised Land. This is what is traditionally called Shavu’ot or The Festival of Weeks (the last of the seven weeks of harvest). The next few chapters conclude the book of Exodus with the building of the Tabernacle—the meeting place of God and His people. Like I stated earlier, God’s intent was that His people would know him, learn his ways, and reflect these things in the world that all peoples might come to know YHWH and learn His ways.
The writer Matthew understood this good news very well. Even from the start of his gospel account he writes…
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ”The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:21-23)
Then he concludes his account with the famous Great Commission…
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Jesus has a habit of giving things new meaning.
After he is resurrected and spends time with His disciples, He tells them to wait in town, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised…” And, sure enough, fifty days after Passover, a mighty Wind blows through the entire place. The Holy Spirit came to dwell with His people that they might have the “law in their minds and [written] on their hearts.” That God would dwell within us as a deposit of our inheritance, of what is to come. A hope pointing toward the day when God returns to establish His dwelling place among His people forever in New Heavens and New Earth.
The day when God comes down the mountain himself.
The day when God walks outside the tent of meeting into camp.
The day when God tears down the thick curtain inside the temple.
The day when God is with His people, as He has always desired.
This is what we celebrate on the day of Pentecost.
May the Spirit and Presence of the Lord our God be with you all the days of your life.
May He comfort you in times of darkness,
Challenge you in times of idleness,
Convict you in times of injustice,
And fill you with hope until the Lord fully establishes His dwelling place among His people forever.
Amen.
Indian priest Anthony de Mello told this story:
A rich industrialist from the North was horrified to find a Southern fisherman lying leisurely beside his boat. “Why aren’t you fishing?” asked the industrialist.
“Because I have caught enough fish for the day,” said the fisherman.
“Why don’t you catch some more?”
“What would I do with them?”
“You could earn more money,” was the reply. “With that, you could fix a motor to your boat, go into deeper waters and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. These would bring you more fish and more money. Soon you would have enough money to own two boats . . . maybe even a fleet of boats. Then you would be a rich man like me.”
“What would I do then?”
“Then you could really enjoy life.”
“What do you think I am doing right now?’ said the fisherman.”
Literally every 3 seconds he does this
Bunk Beds (Taken with instagram)
Climb to the top that we may talk
I’ll grant you plans and dreams and clocks
Yes, you’ll concoct creatively
A fragrance wafting up to me
Take scarlet, purple, blue, and gold
From all who offer what they hold
For they shall build beyond their hands
A dwelling place in desert sands
Shed blood and water cov’ring all
That wish to stand after their fall
Now, creatures killed to plead for grace
But, Word will come to takes its place
One day I’ll come down from above
That all may eat and drink in love
Thick walls and curtains all torn down
A stunning bride in white washed gown
Oh yes, you’ll see, just wait and stand
I’ll fight for you with outstretched hands
No bulls or rams slain for your crimes
The sword shall fall for good this time
This tent is but a meeting place
Where I shall meet you face to face
A shadow of what lies ahead
When Wind shall come to raise the dead
New life shall dawn with brighter days
All nations on their knees amazed
New heav’ns and earth in harmony
My people with me endlessly
