don't leave the tent

Exodus 33:11, ESV
Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

In the middle of a passage talking about the intimate relationship between God and Moses we learn that Moses was never alone in the tent of meeting. Not just because God was there but because Joshua was there, too. And although Moses would leave with instructions from God for his people, Joshua stayed put. In fact, scripture says he “would not depart” from it. Which suggests there were times he was encouraged to leave but he refused. The presence of God was so compelling he never wanted to leave it which led to a sincere and deep devotion across his entire life. Joshua would never let God down because he knew him and loved him.

And, there’s a challenge there for us, I think. Joshua tells us our priority should be the Presence. He becomes a visionary man, full of faith, patient, a great warrior and leader. But it’s not because he emulates Moses. He doesn’t study how Moses leads the Israelites or settles their disputes - that all happens out of the tent. And Joshua isn’t out of the tent. Joshua is in the tent.

Later in Numbers 27:18 God describes Joshua as “a man in whom is the Spirit.” Joshua is filled with the Spirit in the presence of God in the tent of meeting and that is where he is equipped. And it’s where we are, too. Our equipping takes place in the presence of God. 

Let's pray
Father, I am determined not to be drawn away from your presence. Help me make you my priority. Fill me today, Holy Spirit, and equip me for all you would have me do and be. Thank you, Jesus, that you made it possible for me to stand in the presence of the Most High God. Amen.