“A true (theologically) conservative position, one that preserves the values of our heritage, is a position that stands between the extremes and preserves the tension between them. It is not enough to maintain that religion itself has changed constantly since the time of the wilderness experience of ancient Israel. Older practices may be outdated; but the values that produced those practices in times past remain valid in the present. The pressing task is to find new forms that preserve those timeless values.”-Duane L. Christensen, World Biblical Commentary
Israel is about to undergo some exciting and big changes!
Until now, over the past 40 years, the Hebrews have experienced life as Bedouin desert wanderers.
However, in the very near future, practically overnight they will be transformed into a settled agricultural society who will farm the land and herd their animals.
It is in light of these changes that Moses is now addressing this younger second generation of Israel before they go in to take hold of their inheritance.
The first order of business he calls attention to is God’s sanctuary.
The questions that need answering are “Where should the sanctuary be located?” and “Should the sanctuary be the ONLY place where sacrificing takes place?“.
Furthermore, we’re told that the sanctuary is to be the place where God’s Name shall dwell.
This is something really important to understand because where ever God’s Name dwells, that is exactly where Israel will have access to Him.
Another important theological point imparted to us here is that not that ALL of God’s being will dwell there.
You’re probably wondering…
…what the hell does that mean?
Admittedly, this is a very abstract concept that is difficult to communicate.
What I’m trying to say is that the sum of all of God’s parts, who He is in both the heavens and the earth, will not dwell there.
The God of Israel does NOT restrict Himself to some physical dwelling place built by men.
He never has and He never will.
Instead, we’re told God’s Name will dwell at the Sanctuary.
So what exactly does that mean?
Let’s dive a little deeper into this concept.
We first need to bridge the huge cultural gap between the meaning of a person’s name in our day and how a person’s name was viewed in the Biblical era.
In our day and age, a name is simply just a form of identification.
If you think about it, it’s not much different than one’s telephone number or social security number.
However, in the ancient Eastern cultures, especially during Bible times, one’s name held much greater significance.
It referred to a person’s characteristics and attributes.
The Hebrew word for “name” is SHEM and it literally means “reputation“.
Based on this understanding, if a Lord’s Name dwells in a certain location, it means His very reputation, character, and all of His attributes are being represented there.
Does this make sense?
Here’s one interesting (but not perfect) way to think about this.
Consider all of the instances when the Holy Spirit came to indwell in others (and is indwelling in us now!).
When that happened, in a sense, that person who suddenly became empowered by the filling of the Holy Spirit, was at that moment in time manifesting the strength and attributes of God.
In other words, that person was carrying the reputation of God in his or her being.
Another thing to consider.
When the Holy Spirit entered into someone, did the sum or the totality of all who God is enter into that person?
Of course not, right?
If that was the case, it wouldn’t make any sense to instruct spirit-filled believers to continue to pray to the Father in Heaven if the totality of all who God is was indwelling in them.
The idea is that the filling of the Holy Spirit meant there was some essence or attribute of God indwelling believers…
…but not all of Him.
In Moses’ day, God officially established His Name at certain key locations inside the Promised Land and…
…He also established His Name within the Believer via His Holy Spirit.
The fleshly tabernacles analogy is quite appropriate here I think.
Let’s take a look at verses 5-6.
“Rather, you are to come to the place where Adonai your God will put his name. He will choose it from all your tribes; and you will seek out that place, which is where he will live, and go there. You will bring there your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tenths [that you set aside for Adonai], the offerings that you give, the offerings you have vowed, your voluntary offerings, and the firstborn of your cattle and sheep.”
Well, there you have it.
Verse 6 makes it clear that there is to be ONE LOCATION where the God of Israel will establish His Name and where without exception all the 12 Tribes of Israel are to go to worship and sacrifice.
The biggest takeaway we get from today’s post is this.
While we may have some degree of freedom in terms of how we are to worship God, there are certain boundaries we must adhere to.
What are these boundaries?
Well, if we are to take our cue from what is established here in Deuteronomy, it is that we are NOT to adopt the ways and forms of the pagans when they worship their false gods.
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