As famously said, “Aslan isn’t safe… but He’s good!” God’s wildfire presence breaks out at the complaining people, and Moses the intercessor calms things down. The Spirit of God is moving amongst the leaders but Moses wants ALL the LORD’s people to be prophets with the Spirit upon them. A glance towards Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Joshua wants Moses to tell Eldad and Medad to stop but Moses doesn’t want to box God in. Think of all the times in church history that God’s presence has worked in unexpected situations. We live in the time that Moses eluded to where the Spirit has the potential to work amongst everyone, are we like Joshua or Moses in our response?

God dwells in the midst of the camp in his own tent. The inside of the tabernacle with its sky-blue ceiling and its lamp stand (like a flourishing tree) is a picture of Eden. The entrance faces east, the same as the entrance of Eden. God continues to provide a way to restore relationship with his people through his grace. Moses is the anointed one—the pre-messiah— interceding; Aaron is the high priest offering sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD appears to ALL the people, and they fall on their faces.

God accompanies the Israelites into the wilderness and makes a covenant with them at Mt Sinai. The people are told not to set foot on the mountain because of their sin. Moses is the one who intercedes for the people. He is a glimpse of who Christ will be for mankind.

God doesn’t leave the people staring up at an inaccessible mountain but makes a way for his presence to be accessible. The people looked forward to the tabernacle… God dwelling with his people.

God chooses a man to lead a nation eastwards with an intense and personal encounter. After a miraculous start in life, a privileged upbringing, a moment of serious sin changes everything. Moses flees and then after 40 years of being a nobody with mainly sheep for company God appears to Moses in a burning bush and he hides his face. This is the moment when a man is called by God to lead his people. The unlikely are called in unexpected places! I AM WHO I AM!

Mankind use their skill and ingenuity to ‘get to God’. Mankind continue eastwards to Babylonia and build their way towards God. God frustrates their efforts and scatters them. This is contrasted with God’s pursuit of mankind out of Eden into the place of exile. The relational presence is with the patriarchs. God’s passion for restoring relationship touches individuals and promises descendants, land, blessing and relational presence.

Welcome to Together Church online. God’s creation is good, God isn’t some distant force- he rolls up his sleeves and created by ‘forming’, ‘planting’ and ‘breathing life into’…and it was good! Mankind enjoys walking with the creator…in the created, but this perfect relationship is rejected.