We examined the lives of Israelites and how they were made to live in tents. During their time in Egypt, they constructed structures using bricks, but their deliverance led them to live in tents. When observed from external perspective, one might consider their lives as cursed or not blessed. However, when God looks at the tents of Israel, He has something else to say. He says in Numbers 24:5 “How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!”
When God made Israel dwell in tents. They were in a way humbled in His Hands. When God witnesses people or things obeying His commands, He deems it good and beautiful. In the beginning, as God created the heavens and the earth. He saw that His spoken words materialized into His creations. He looked at His creation and He deemed it as good and beautiful. However, these creations may also appear good to us, but certain elements had to impose limits upon themselves to adhere to God’s commands. Light and darkness were separated; the seas were assigned borders and commanded to advance only so far. Specific stars were bound together, resulting in the formation of constellations. Therefore, His act of creation involved separating, limiting, and binding certain aspects. When these entities obeyed Him, he regarded them as beautiful. God proudly proclaims some of His best creations before Job in the book of Job 38-41 chapters.
When God humbles us and instructs us to distance ourselves from particular things and certain individuals, we might initially perceive it as annoying. But when we follow His commands, He regards us as one of His beautiful creations. Therefore, it becomes crucial for us to exercise caution regarding what we allow into our lives, ensuring that nothing defiles the sanctity of our ‘tents’.
Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” Joshua 7:20,21
Achan sinned against God by coveting some of the things from the plunder, concealing them within his tents. This action led to a shameful defeat for Israel in battle. Our bodies serve as our personal ‘tents’, and it is our responsibility to maintain their purity. Unfortunately, at times, we secretly harbour inappropriate thoughts and deed within them, akin to Achan’s actions. Such concealment can contribute to our own failures. We might question our inability to accomplish seemingly simple tasks, but it’s essential that we introspect and unearth any concealed thoughts or actions residing within our temporary body or mind. Rachel, the wife of Jacob, similarly hid her father’s idol in her tent, which could have contributed to her early demise.
Dathan, Korah and Abiram were among those who rebelled against Moses. They questioned his authority and calling. They challenged him with the words, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” Despite labelling themselves as holy, God did not seem to endorse their claim. When God imposed punishment upon them, it wasn’t just directed at them; it extended to all that was associated with them.
He warned the assembly, “Move back from the tents of these wicked men! Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins. Numbers 16:26
God warned the Israelites to distance themselves from the tents of these wicked individuals. He brought about the destruction of these people, along with their tents and their belongings. Achan faced a similar fate – he was stoned to death along with his tents and others things. It was only after these actions that God could look at the camp of Israel and declare the beauty of their tents. Hence, we need to be careful that no wrongful things enter our tents and we need to ensure to pitch our tents far away from wicked people’s tents.
In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name,” declares the Lord, who will do these things. Amos 9:11,12
At times, we might falter in maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of our tents or camps. Enemies can wreak havoc on our encampments, leaving us without a dwelling place. However, our God who sent His only son to die for us will help us to restore what has been lost. As God promises in the above verse all the fallen tent are God’s responsibility to build up. No adversary can jeopardize our tents or camps, for the Lord commands His angels to encamp around us (Psalm 34:7). Let our abode find its place in the Quiver of God.
May God bless you all. All these messages are being translated into Hindi and shared on the YouTube channel called “Quiver of God”. If you’re interested feel free to visit the channel and stay tuned for the upcoming video.