Reflection: House Rules
‘[After the dedication of the tabernacle, its furnishings and the priests] Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.’ Leviticus 9:23-24 New International Version
As the skilled craftsmen went about building the tent – its accoutrements and decorations, down to the tee of God’s instructions, the Israelites would have recognised that this place was to echo the last place where God met with mankind. Orderly and lavish with motifs of trees and fruit, precious metals and stones, abundant water and sweet smells. It was a mini-Eden. But its furnishings were more suited to a home or a palace. And like any healthy welcoming home, you could smell the food.
The rules in the garden had been quite simple and to the point. Look after all this; help it to flourish, and stay away from one particular tree. But in THIS garden/palace/tent there are rules and guidelines galore.
There are rules about entry to God’s house: you must be pure. That’s why all the sacrifice and confession of sin. Be clean and forgiven.
There are rules about worship: you need a mediator. That’s why all the priests. Their whole lives were dedicated to the Lord. And their second focus was the community – maintaining a holy place and people. Meet here with your God.
“Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see…
all thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.” (Hymn by R Heber)
Prayer: I’m praising you today, merciful God, because I know that all these details of place and priests and protocol were just shadows of what you accomplished through Christ – my Sacrifice and High Priest.
“…Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty God in three persons, blessed Trinity.” (Hymn by R Heber)