Wednesday: God Among His People
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 14th of May 2025
Following the leading of God’s presence in the cloud, the Israelites would stop in their journey to the Promised Land, set up the tabernacle, and then the tribes would pitch their camps around it—three tribes on each side. The Presence of God would descend into the Most Holy Place and take up residence in the midst of His people.
There was one dominant tribe on each of the four sides of the tabernacle. According to Numbers 2:1-34, who were these four dominant tribes?
Numbers 2:3 (East):
Numbers 2:10 (South):
Numbers 2:18 (West):
Numbers 2:25 (North):
Notice that each dominant tribe flew its own “standard,” or special flag, to designate who they were.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
While the Scriptures are not explicit in describing what was on each flag, there is an interesting tradition—loosely based on the tribal characteristics described in Genesis 49:1-33 and Deuteronomy 33:1-29—that assigns one of the four faces to each of the four compass points. “According to rabbinical tradition, the standard of Judah bore the figure of a lion, that of Reuben the likeness of a man or of a man’s head, that of Ephraim the figure of an ox, and that of Dan the figure of an eagle; so that the four living creatures united in the cherubic forms described by Ezekiel were represented upon these four standards.”—Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2011), vol. 1, p. 660.
It is possible to read too much into tradition, of course, but it is still interesting to compare this ancient tradition with the Bible’s description of the New Jerusalem. An interesting pattern emerges: there are gates representing three tribes on all four sides of the city (Revelation 21:12-13).
The descriptions of both the camp of Israel and the New Jerusalem underscore one crucial fact: God intends to pull humanity close to His throne. The book of Revelation teaches us that “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Revelation 21:22, NKJV).
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Of course, we don’t live in the camp of Israel. But how can we, in our own lives now, draw close to the presence of God? |
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Since creation it was God’s plan to dwell and interact with mankind physically and personally. God has always wanted His presence to be tangible and relational since creation. “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…”( Genesis 3:8, NKJV). However, the advent of sin separated God from His created beings (Isaiah 59:2). The fellowship was lost, and physical closeness was broken. Nevertheless, at the appointed time sin is annihilated from the face of the universe, God once again will physically dwell among His people. God values the physical and relational closeness with human being so much so that He will transfer His dwell place from heaven to the earth made new.
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’” (Revelation 21:1-3).
It is very comforting to reflect what it means “God dwelling with His people”. God will physically and visible dwell with us. There will be no need for temples or symbolic presence. There will be no barriers between God and humanity. There shall be intimate fellowship with God. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another we shall come to worship God face to face (Isaiah 66:23). God Himself will wipe away tears from our eyes. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4). God Himself will personally be involved in comforting us for the trials, grief and persecutions we endured. Our faith and hope in God were not in vain.
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT).
In our effort to understand some of the symbolism associated with the Exodus experience, we may overlook some of the mundane stuff that is quite important. Moving the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan was a huge logistical task. While we look back at the description of the cloud representing the presence of God, we are also made aware that underneath that cloud were a group of people that had been thrust into close contact and needed to work together. They were by no means perfect, and the author of Exodus described their whinging and murmuring, their criticism and outright revolt against the leaders at times. All this was done in the presence of a cloud that was a shade by day and a light at night.
The remarkable thing is that Moses imposed a sense of order on this rabble and led them to the promised land. He accepted his father-in-law's advice and delegated problem-solving so that they could mainly be solved locally rather than at the leadership level.
In our modern age, we emphasise the importance of a personal faith, in our spiritual development and sometimes we can become quite critical of church organisation. We sometimes need reminding that true Christianity does not work in isolation and we need to work together. And, if we are to work together, we need some sort of organisation and leadership.
That does not mean that we accept organisation and leadership blindly. But is does require us to work collaboratively with one another.
Moses commented on the time the Israelites spend wandering in the wilderness:
We like to think that this was a miracle due to the presence of God, but I sometimes think that the real miracle was that the Israelites learned to look after one another at that time.
Jesus said: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
Maybe it is time for us to remember that the main purpose of Church organisation is not to define doctrinal purity but to show genuine love for one another. And, if we can do that, others may see us living in the presence of God now - a shade by day and a light by night.
Maurice – I appreciate your suggestion at the end of your comment regarding how we might experience God’s presence. Acknowledging this, I’d also like to share a question I had originally planned to submit separately.
The question is this:
“What is implied by the statement that there is no physical temple in the New Jerusalem, ‘for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple’?” - Rev. 21:22.
If ‘God Almighty’ and ‘the Lamb’ are understood as a metaphor for the temple, then how do we experience their presence in the New Jerusalem, which is said to be without a temple?
Could it be similar to how we are called to live in our bodies today — an idea that connects back to your suggestion that we should “show genuine love for one another”?
1 Cor.6:19–20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. If that’s true — if the Spirit of God lives within us and gives us life — then does it follow that, in the New Jerusalem, all who dwell there become living representations of God’s temple - worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth with their life at all time?
Brigitte, my understanding is that when the sin problem is finally resolved, there is no need for a physical temple, no need for Christ functioning as our Advocate. We will have direct access to the Godhead, we won't need a "go between ", or intercessor.
Metaphorically we as believers are "living stones". 1 Peter 2:4-7
God is the foundation of every good thing because He is the Creator of all good things. God’s throne is in heaven and He has jurisdiction over the earth and all He created.
In a sense temples and their associated liturgical practices are all metaphors for true worship. The Hebrew Temples were representative of the presence of God in the community. In this conversation we are very much aware that the Hebrews moved away from true worship to the extent that God condemns the liturgy. While they kept the liturgy, the hearts of the people and ultimately the nation ignored and rejected the implications of true worship in their relationship with others. It was essentially a case where metaphor became more important than what it represented.
I submit that in heaven we will be true "heart" worshipers and in that sense will need neither the buildings nor the liturgy as a metaphor. I don't want that taken to mean that there is no building or liturgy in heaven, but rather that by then the earthly metaphor will have served its purpose.
Beautiful, Brother Maurice. I especially love your last paragraph.
Continue to inspire and love us!! Have a Blessed weekend!!
During Gladys Aylward's harrowing journey out of war-torn Yang Chen, during the Communist take-over, she faced one morning, with no apparent hope of reaching safety. A 13-year-old girl tried to comfort her by saying, "Don't forget what you told us about Moses in the wilderness," (referring to God's promise of his presence) to which Gladys Aylward replied, "Yes, my dear, but I am not Moses." The young girl replied, "Yes, but God is still God."
"My Presence will go with you" (Ex. 33:14). As the old hymn "In the Garden" says, "And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me that I am his own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known." Regardless of our condition or circumstance, God is with us. Our-situations don't change God- He is still God and with us.
The God of the universe walks with us. He is our companion, our friend. The whole world may walk out on us. But God never will. We have his word on that.
"Of course, we don't live in the camp of Israel. But how can we, in our own lives now, draw close to the presence of God? The book of Revelation teaches us that "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22, NKJV)."
Thus, the answer is simple. Let us not make a mistake and wonder about the Throne of God. Again, many did not see the most potent representation of God because humans need to see "grandeur." We misunderstand the power of God because, as great as it is, it is also straightforward and relies on a simple four-letter word: LOVE.
From the beginning of Creation, God has desired and delighted to be close to the people that He created. We see it first in the creation of the Sabbath. God wants to spend time everyday with his children, as He came to meet with them in the cool of the day, (Gen. 3:8) but He created an oasis in time to spend quantity and quality time with us. Man wasn't made for the Sabbath, the Sabbath was made as a gift for mankind, (Mark 2:27) as a gift of time in God’s presence. His presence is the present.
Even in the days of sojourn by the Israelites in leaving Egypt, God wanted to be in the center of the camp, symbolic in my mind of wanting to be the center of our lives. He was their protector and provider then and still is, to His children today.
Another thought regarding the formation of the encampment; I wonder if God deliberately set up the layout of the tribes of Israel in a shape of the cross? I have always envisioned it that way. He could have laid it out as a circle with each tribe occupying a third of a quadrant. Was God foreshadowing what He would do for His people as their Kinsman redeemer?
Think about it. The same God, (Elohim) that created us, still wants to spend time with us, in spite of who we are and the condition we find ourselves in. He wants to restore us into His image. This is accomplished through time spent in the presence of the Almighty One. He wants to be the center of our lives, not an addendum to them. You see, God is someone to be a friend of, not someone to be afraid of. Let Him be, not just your Creator, your Lord and master, your Savior, let Him be your friend.
Let's walk through the sanctuary. As we enter the outer court, we come first to the Altar of Sacrifice.
The Altar of Sacrifice to us represents, Forgiveness/Repentance with a contrite heart, John 3:16, Psalm 51:17. Next we come to the Laver/Baptism, John 3:5. Then the Table of Shewbread/Bible Study. Matthew 11:29. Next is the Candle Sticks/Witnessing, Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 5:19. Romans 6:22, Psalm 52:8-9. The altar of incense is the last in the Holy Place/Prayer 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, Luke 6:12. As we move to the Most Holy Place, we see the Ark of the Covenant/Victory In Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:57, John 15:5. We just traveled the road to salvation, or sanctification if you prefer.
Interesting and inspiring, is the fact that if we draw a line vertically from the Altar of Sacrifice to the Ark of the Covenant. Then draw a horizontal line from the Table of Shewbread to the Candle Sticks, it forms a Cross. A metaphor of the Cross of Christ I do believe.
God be with us all in our journey to the end, eternal life. It is the only way.