“The tent of testimony was with our ancestors in the wilderness. Moses built it just as he had been instructed by the one who spoke to him and according to the pattern he had seen. In time, when they had received the tent, our ancestors carried it with them when, under Joshua’s leadership, they took possession of the land from the nations whom God expelled. This tent remained in the land until the time of David. God approved of David, who asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who actually built a house for God. However, the Most High doesn’t live in houses built by human hands. As the prophet says, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. ‘What kind of house will you build for me,’ says the Lord, ‘or where is my resting place? Didn’t I make all these things with my own hand?’ “You stubborn people! In your thoughts and hearing, you are like those who have had no part in God’s covenant! You continuously set yourself against the Holy Spirit, just like your ancestors did. Was there a single prophet your ancestors didn’t harass? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the righteous one, and you’ve betrayed and murdered him! You received the Law given by angels, but you haven’t kept it.” Once the council members heard these words, they were enraged and began to grind their teeth at Stephen. But Stephen, enabled by the Holy Spirit, stared into heaven and saw God’s majesty and Jesus standing at God’s right side. He exclaimed, “Look! I can see heaven on display and the Human One standing at God’s right side!” (Acts 7:44-56, CEB)
This is from the talk Stephen gave the council before his execution. He is explaining the history of the Jewish people and how it fits into the understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah.
The interesting piece in this to me is that God does not dwell in houses made by human hands. So God is not contained in the churches and temples we say God is. Also, the Greek word for dwell can mean tented. Jesus came as John 1 tells us and pitched a tent to be with us. God doesn’t need a house, God will come along side where we are and pitch a tent to be with us.
Know that God is pitching a tent to be with you!
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 