The Wonder of an Old Tent

Scripture:
God heard and became furious;
he completely rejected Israel.
He abandoned the tabernacle at Shiloh,
the tent where he resided among mankind.
Psalm 78:59-60

Observation: The psalmist talks about the time of the judges, and about how Israel turned away from the Lord. In this specific stanza, the Lord has become angry at how they have abandoned his teachings, and so he abandons the tabernacle. Later, he will return to them, raise up David, and reside in his temple in Jerusalem. However, during the time that he is not residing with Israel, they are turned over to their enemies, and need to be regularly rescued by judges that the Lord anoints for a period of time.

The idea of the tabernacle at Shiloh is somewhat glossed over, but is truly amazing when considered. After it stood in the wilderness for 40 years, the tabernacle resides in Shiloh for over 250 years, then continues to exist - though it needs to be moved around - for another 150 years or so. In total, the tent lasts for approximately 480 years, and for most of that it stands as a structure being actively used for worship and sacrifice.

At the same time, the fixed location of the tabernacle is Shiloh, which isn't much more than a unique hill, surrounded amphitheater-style by even higher hills. It isn't a city, but a gathering place where Israel can come and participate in the festivals, bring their sacrifices, then all leave again. It was a place of immense importance, but never of immense size (or really of any size).

Application: This feels like how the Lord is pleased to interact with humans. He is so great, so amazing, so grand, and so powerful. However, he meets us ... anywhere, but often in the humble places. He meets us alone in our rooms, or at small prayer gatherings, or while we wander in the woods far from others. He speaks to the individual hearts of weak individuals, and not to a grand assembly of leaders.

We see that even for the Jews, he was content with just a tent on a small hill as long as the people came to him with honor, obedience, love, and joy. When they went after other gods, he simply abandoned that hill.

I am a nobody of a man, who too often goes after other 'gods'. I want the Lord to meet me in my simple home and guide me, but I make my own decisions, pursue earthly fun, and take actions even after the Lord tells me not to. When the Lord does give me direction, I am quick to ignore it for it seems like maybe it wasn't really the Lord because it wasn't some booming message or grand event.

Shiloh is the example that says the Lord would come and meet with us anywhere, and do so in quiet intimacy, as long as we humble ourselves and simply come to him with honor, obedience, love, and joy. At any given time, I tend to only have one of these four, obedience being my rarest attitude. That needs to change.

Prayer: Lord, again today I say, please forgive my sins. You give me direction, and I disobey, and truly I say I do not know why. However, please may I have the strength to do your will and to obey your instructions. When you show up in the humble place and your spirit gives instructions, by no means should I ever disregard that. Please continue to reach me. Amen.