Be reminded that the Book of Leviticus only contains 27 chapters. So we are nearing the end of our literary and spiritual journey. (Having just completed chapter 24.)
Yet the Book too has been subtly “building” a major Thesis, Principle, Pattern with Almighty God at the Center.
And this Thrust centers around two terms. Two Hebrew expressions, one just a word (“shakan”) and the other a phrase (“ohel moed”). Let me explain, translate. “Shakan” is a verb meaning “to dwell.” While “ohel” means “tent” (as in the “Tabernacle” itself) … and is so often linked with the noun “moed” meaning “assembly, feast, congregation.” Thus “ohel moed” suggests a “place of meeting!” If you will allow me, “a place of fellowship, communion, harmony, intimacy!”
Remember this too, basically how the Book of Exodus ends: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34-35
God is in the Tabernacle!
But Moses is not!
God is there … “shakan.” (This is the very root of the ineffable “Shekinah Glory” Ideal!
But Moses is not yet there … the Place not yet being the “ohel moed,” the Place where God and man can “meet and fellowship” ever so sweetly!
Wow!
This difference/distinction/shade of meaning holds true in the Book of Exodus too. As the Tabernacle is under construction it is generally characterized as God’s “dwelling” place, or at least that’s the goal. “Shakan,” in summary.
But once it is in use, with the priesthood functioning for example, the Place becomes the “Tent of Meeting!” Again in sum, “ohel moed.”
Wow again!
GOD BUILT THAT HOLY STRUCTURE TO COME DOWN TO EARTH (“shakan”) AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY “TO RESIDE WITH HIS PEOPLE”, WITH ISRAEL (“ohel moed)!
“Moed” is actually translated “feasts” or “seasons” three dozen times in the King James Version of Scripture. That’s the main emphasis of Leviticus 23, those seven Feasts! God inviting His people to come fellowship with Him!
That’s the meaning of Leviticus 24 too! The LIGHT of the Candlestick shining over against (upon) the Table of Bread with its twelve loaves! A Picture of GOD shining/fellowshipping/communion with His people (all twelve tribes of them) in sweet peace and harmony!
And this is also the function of Leviticus 25 … with its renewed emphasis on the Sabbath principle, God longing for (even demanding) His people to honor and adore (worship) Him one day out of every seven! Still basically, God and man in fellowship!
And you know what this is? It is a reestablishing of the Goal our great God had for mankind way back in the Garden of Eden! The Lord coming down (“shakan”) in the cool of the day … and “walking” (as in “ohel moed”) with Adam and Eve! Genesis 3:8, for example.
This discussion could get a lot more technical and include a lot more statistics and information … but the Theorem I have outlined above holds true, Biblically.
First God has come down and now dwells (“shakan”) in that Holy Place, Most Holy Place!
Next God has invited us to come and congregate (“moed”) around Him in that Tabernacle (“ohel)!
Hallelujah!
Tomorrow morning, the Lord willing, we go into chapter 25 with its strongly suggestive Sabbatical emphasis.
Leviticus, what a spiritually inviting Book!
And no wonder, God Himself has been the Major Speaker … I mean from its very first verse (“And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying …”) to its very last chapter (“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying …”). A thrilling thought indeed!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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