Jump Starts # 3893
Exodus 40:38 “For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.”
Our verse today ends the book of Exodus. For the past several chapters, details upon details are given about the construction of the tabernacle. Types of wood. Lengths of boards. Color of curtains. Even, to the placement of where everything belongs. The altar was to be in a specific location. The bowl of incense was to be in a certain spot. Everything was to be just right, as the Lord wished.
Then as the Exodus story ends, Moses and Aaron conduct a worship in that brand new tabernacle. The cloud of the Lord covers the tent and the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle. What a grand and marvelous sight to witness God and man connecting once more.
Our verse today ends with “there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.” As the nation bedded down for the night, they could see the glow of the fire coming from the tabernacle. That was not Heaven’s nightlight. Instead, it was a reminder that God was near. God was there.
When Jesus was came, His name was Immanuel, which means: “God among us.” Like the fire of the tabernacle, the presence of Jesus was a reminder and a witness of God and man connecting once more.
Now, here’s the thought for us: We don’t see a fire burning in the tabernacle at night. We don’t see Jesus walking through the streets of our towns. Because of that, some question the presence of God. How do I know that God is among us? How do I have that assurance of God throughout my day? And, because of that, some are looking for a modern version of a “fire burning,” or a sign from Heaven that will assure them that God is near. And, when that “sign” doesn’t come, they will begin to question everything. They will question their faith. They will question their worthiness. They will question God.
But, this is not new. Even in the days of Jesus, some were asking for a sign. Show us. Impress us. Prove to us. Jesus referred to the Bible as the sign that they would need. The sign of Jonah, is how the Lord put it.
And, so, for us, How do we know that God is among us? If it’s not a sign, some turn to a feeling. They can feel the presence of God, they say. They feel loved. They feel a “presence.” Yet, feelings can be very shallow, misleading and even inaccurate. The Bible never bases things upon feelings. Two people can visit an art gallery. One person can stand for a long time in front of a modern piece of art and talk about the pain of rejection and the indifference that society shows upon certain classes of people that comes through the vivid colors and paint strokes. The other person walks away from that painting in about two seconds thinking it is a mess and it looked liked someone sneezed in a paint bucket. Feelings. They are not the same. Put on a movie with a lot of talking and little action and some are glued to their seats. Others are in the kitchen looking for a snack, bored to no ends. Tell someone, just go north a couple of miles and you’ll be there. The person stands looking east. Feelings, not a good judge of things. This is why John said, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 Jn 5:13). The Bible becomes our compass. The Bible becomes our assurance. The Bible becomes the means by which we know God is among us.
Some thoughts for us:
First, we are to walk by faith and not by sight, the Corinthians were told. Looking for a fire in the tabernacle, a sign from Heaven or something else tangible and visible, moves things from the realm of faith to the realm of sight. We are not to walk that way. By faith, we know. By faith, we trust. By faith, God is among us.
It takes growth and spiritual maturity to move from sight to faith. Ancient Israel needed the cloud and fire to know God was with them. But standing upon the pages of God’s word, we know that God is among us. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, the Lord promised, there I am. How do we know? Faith.
Second, a fire in the tent for Israel, made it seem like the Lord was confined to that location. Walking out of view of the tabernacle, would Israel believe God was still with them or was He only in the tent? Our God is not limited. He is not limited by time, distance, dimensions of this world or space. I can sit in my office and trust that God is with me. I can be carted down the hallway of a hospital and know that God is with me. I can send my child off to school with the faith that God is with that child. I can be alone in my car, or in a massive crowd at a concert and know that God is with me. God is not limited to a church building or a book.
Third, God among us and God’s presence are indicators of a relationship with God. The reason God would be among us is because of the divine connection the Lord wants to have with us. As we spiritually walk with the Lord, God chooses to be among us.
What comfort this ought to bring to us. Everywhere and anywhere, God is with us. More than that, God is with you. That ought to draw you closer to Him. That ought to make you realize that you are never alone.
Fire and clouds…good for ancient Israel. The word of God is what is good for the spiritual Israel today.
Roger