Today’s reading reads like poetry.
“Moses did exactly as the LORD had commanded him.”
Would that the same could be said of us.
(Too bad I am still working out most of my fears).
“On the first day of the first month of the second year
the Dwelling was erected.”
What they’re saying is: it took a year, right?
“It was Moses who erected the Dwelling.”
Dang, son. Moses himself.
“He placed its pedestals, set up its boards, put in its bars,
and set up its columns.”
I can almost picture it, this old man acting with firm persistence and careful attention.
“He spread the tent over the Dwelling
and put the covering on top of the tent,
as the LORD had commanded him.”
Sometimes I think about the things God calls me to. And then I think about the faithful who have acted in trust throughout all of history.
Moses is one of those faithful.
And now, today, God continues to call me, to command me, to direct me.
“He took the commandments and put them in the ark;
he placed poles alongside the ark and set the propitiatory upon it.”
(In early morning of one Camino day, as we walked under the fading stars, a friend said, “I wonder where the Ark of the Covenant is today.” To which I responded, “She ascended into heaven.” Catholic jokes! Sorry to leave the rest of you in the dark, though).
“He brought the ark into the Dwelling and hung the curtain veil,
thus screening off the ark of the commandments,
as the LORD had commanded him.
Then the cloud covered the meeting tent,
and the glory of the LORD filled the Dwelling.
Moses could not enter the meeting tent,
because the cloud settled down upon it
and the glory of the LORD filled the Dwelling.
Whenever the cloud rose from the Dwelling,
the children of Israel would set out on their journey.
But if the cloud did not lift, they would not go forward;
only when it lifted did they go forward.
In the daytime the cloud of the LORD was seen over the Dwelling;
whereas at night, fire was seen in the cloud
by the whole house of Israel
in all the stages of their journey.”
Thanks be to God.
Photo by the internet.
Who had seen the glory with his feet un-sandal-ed
Who had heard the Name
Who had held in his hands the staff, the tablets, the wonder.
Bittersweet, perhaps,
For now the people could approach
And worship. Moses had led them there.
But it would never be the same for him, either,
He who had heard the voice alone from mountain and fiery-bush.
I wonder if he turned this over in his mind
As he stood, facing outward, in the door
Of his newly-constructed temple.
To lead the people of God is a gift for them…
For them, perhaps, but not always for you.
A new chapter was beginning, undoubtedly
And the Lord would care now as He did then.
Still, perhaps Moses paused in wonder and sorrow
For the things that would be
And the things that would never be again.
-Ex 40:16-21, 34-38-