IT IS IN THE TENT THAT HE REVEALS HIMSELF

It is in the tent of presence that…

the cloud of the glory of the Lord is manifested - Ex 33:7-9

the Lord reveals his plans - Exodus 33:12-14

God reveals all his goodness - Exodus 33:17-19

we are marked by his glory - Exodus 34:29-35

the glory of the Lord makes us more like him - 2 Corinthians 3:7-8;13;18

sin is revealed - Exodus 32:7-9

mercy is achieved - Exodus 32:10-14

BIBLICAL TEXT

It is in the tent of the presence that God reveals Himself.

In this passage, we see that Moses, a faithful servant of God, spoke with the Lord face to face. Moses had asked the Lord to show him His glory, and the Lord granted his request. The Lord declared that He would pass by and cover Moses with His hand until He had passed. Then, the Lord would remove His hand, and Moses would see His back, but not His face.

This encounter between Moses and the Lord took place in the tent of the presence, also known as the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the physical representation of God's dwelling place among His people. It was a place where the people of Israel could come to worship and seek the Lord.

It is in the tent of the presence that the cloud of the glory of the Lord is manifested.

Exodus 33:7–9 NIV

7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses.

The glory of the Lord is the radiance of His divine presence.

When the people of Israel saw the cloud, they knew that the Lord was with them.

It is in the tent of the presence that the Lord reveals His plans.

Exodus 33:12–14 NIV

12 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.’ 13 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.” 14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

God spoke to Moses from the mercy seat, which was the top of the Ark of the Covenant.

The Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments and other instructions for the people of Israel.

It is in the tent of the presence that God reveals all His goodness.

Exodus 33:17–19 NIV

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

The Lord is good, and all His ways are just.

When we seek the Lord, we will find Him, and He will reveal His goodness to us.

It is in the tent of the presence that we are marked by His glory.

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭29‬-‭35

Exodus 34:29–35 NIV

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.

When we encounter the Lord, we are transformed by His presence.

His glory fills us, and we become more like Him.

It is in the tent of the presence that the glory of the Lord makes us more like Him. As we spend time in His presence, we are changed. We become more loving, more patient, more kind, and more like Christ.

It is in the tent of the presence that sin is revealed.

Exodus 32:7–9 NIV

7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’ 9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.

When we come into the presence of the Lord, our sins are exposed. We see our faults and failures, and we are convicted of our need for His grace and forgiveness.

It is in the tent of the presence that mercy is achieved.

Exodus 32:10–14 NIV

10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” 11 But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’ ” 14 Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

When we confess our sins and seek His forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In conclusion,

let us remember that it is in the tent of the presence that God reveals Himself to us.

Let us seek Him with all our hearts and come into His presence with thanksgiving and praise.

May His glory fill our lives, and may we be transformed by His presence. Amen.