November 04, 2006

God's Presence 2

KEY God's eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own.
Let me say that again - God has PURPOSED to dwell among His People

The FALL - there is Divine Alienation. Then we wait... Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Nation of Israel and God gives another image of His presence.

2. A DWELLING Sanctuary/Temple/Tent
- Israel is promised God's very presence in the Tabernacle. Exodus 25-33
God: " My presence will go with you and give you rest."
- God's presence with them is what makes Israel distinct from all the other nation. Exodus 33:16
- God dwelt right in the middle of the of all the tents (A king's tent would be right in the middle).
- The temple and the sacrifice system are a mark of God's dwelling, but it points out God's transcendence in that there in not unhindered access to God's presence. Only by the blood of lambs and goats and then only once a year by the High Priest is there direct access to God's presence.

Aside: God's presence is not always good news (Uzah, Aaron's sons, Ananias and Siphira) It is glorious, but dangerous also.

Consider when the temple was destroyed... This wasn't just front page news material for several months, to the Jews, this was a theological catastrophe. God's presence (in a dwelling) was removed/destroyed! And when it was rebuilt, it just wasn't the same.

Now come the prophets, and they start giving good news... little by little. Malachi 3:1 - "Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts."

(I'm posting this a little early, because I'm going out of town this weekend. I will post the next image Sunday night - have a great weekend).

Posted by tomglass at November 4, 2006 08:30 AM