tribesofsinai2024

After Moses’s 40 days of fellowship on the mountain, he received a revelation on how the LORD could dwell in the midst of the people. 

Moses had already performed two epic tasks. Firstly going to Pharaoh and delivering the people from bondage in Egypt through the Word and Spirit of God. Secondly establishing a bunch of runaway slaves into a distinct nation under the governance of YAHWEH through his Covenant, summarised in the Ten Commandments. Now he was given a third massive task to secure the presence of God among his people. 

Moses was to do this by building a mobile sacred space which would accompany the children of God on their journeys through the wilderness. It was to be a place where Israel could remember the Covenant, atone for sin, restore broken fellowship with God, and express gratitude for His blessings.

At its core, the Tabernacle represents God’s desire to dwell among His people. The meticulous instructions for its design and construction underscore the importance of creating a sacred space worthy of God’s presence. They were to build a place for God from the best materials they had and crafted by men filled with the Spirit of God.^[1]

The Outer Court provides a space for all the Israelites to bring sacrifices and offerings, wash their hands and burn incense. 

The Holy Place was for the priests to keep the lamps burning and maintain the showbread and the altar of incense. 

The Holy of Holies contained the Ark, the Ten Commandments, and the mercy seat. It served as the LORD’s throne and dwelling place. The Sovereign LORD was to reign over his people through His Covenant. Once a year, on the day of atonement, the high priest entered to sprinkle the blood of animal sacrifices on the mercy seat to cleanse and reconcile the people to God. 

In his Gospel, John describes Jesus as the Word who became flesh and dwelt amongst us (literally tabernacled among us).^[2] He is the perfect sacrifice who offers forgiveness and reconciliation through his sacrificial death on the cross. He is the offering, the sacrifice, the high priest and the mediator between God and men. He is the way, the truth, and the life.^[3]

Reflection 

Where do you meet with the LORD?

Many of the people who visit the mountains, desert, and the Monastery in the heart of the Sinai talk about it being a ‘spiritual place.’ Such people often have a negative view of Christianity and the Church, yet they have a reverence and desire for the spiritual.  

How can we connect with such people and present Jesus in a way that leads them to love and follow him? 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? 

And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? 

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?^[4]

Prayer 

Thank the Lord for his desire and provision to live with his people through His living Word and Spirit. 

There is a Coptic Church in the basement of a hotel about 5km south of town. For over a decade the Copts have been trying to get permission to purchase land and build a church in town with no success to date. Please pray the Lord may build his church here. 

Please continue to pray for the people who each day visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery and watch the sunrise from the top of Jebel Mousa. 

Please pray for me as I write material for a website to serve tourists with practical information, and about the history, culture, and Spirituality of the Sinai. The website is due to be launched this coming Passover on the 22^nd of April. Please pray that people may hear, understand, believe, and respond to the LORD’s story. 

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.^[5]

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 

And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.^[6]

^[1] Exodus 31:1-11.

^[2] John 1:14. 

^[3] John 14:6. 

^[4] Romans 10:14.

^[5] John 15:9-11. 

^[6] John 15:26-27.