October 15, 2020

​Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Exodus 33:7-11
This picture of Moses setting up a tent far from the center of camp, where he can go and talk with God face to face, friend to friend, is quite a story to ponder over a cup of coffee this morning.  Moses set this tent up so it was like walking to Mount Horeb to meet God.  He called it the "Tent of Meeting."  I might have gone with something like "The Moun-tent" but nobody asked me.  What a dramatic scene as this passage pictures Moses walking to his tent.  Everyone shows deep respect and reverence by standing at the entrance of their tents until Moses entered his tent.  It reminds me of when people used to pull over in honor of a funeral procession, not that this was like a funeral, but the recognition of something meaningful and sacred occuring and taking appropriate action.  More dramatic sights as Moses enters the tent, the pillar of cloud takes its place over the tent.  This was the sign that God was present.  All would kneel at the entrances of their tents.  And then this truly remarkable sentence.  "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend."  What was that like??  I am going to need another cup of coffee to imagine what it might have been like for Moses to hang out and visit with his friend, God.  Amazing.  Lastly, we find that after a while Moses leaves the tent, but Joshua son of Nun, stays.  Perhaps he spent some of his time anticipating a task force at Wesley Park that would one day be named in his honor.  Sit and appreciate this incredible scene today.  Imagine it from the perspectives of one watching Moses, or Moses meeting God, or God meeting Moses, or Joshua's faithfulness and presence.  Enjoy your coffee and give thanks to God.

Peace,
Dean