Who's in your Tent?

“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.  Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” Exodus 33:11

Moses's Relationship with God

Moses had a special relationship with the Lord.  Special enough that the Lord spoke to him as a friend.  Intimate and personal. Face to face. 

The tent has significant meaning or symbolism.  In time of war, leaders on the battlefield would utilize a tent to seek counsel from other leaders. To confer with others.  Moses as the leader of the Israelites did the same.  The tent was a special gathering place.  The bible says that anytime Moses would go into the tent, and a cloud would show up and position itself at the entrance.  The lord was at the door.  Giving access to unlimited knowledge and guidance, strength and power.  All of which were needed for the assignment and mission Moses was on.

Joshua's Role

Joshua, his aide was in the tent too.  I can only imagine the conversations that he was able to hear and witness.  God’s chosen leader, potentially crying out to him seeking his counsel.  In need of encouragement.  Sharing both victory and defeat with the Lord.  True authentic leadership and vulnerability on display.  Moses demonstrated how battles were won and fought.  Won through the counsel of an almighty God.

When Moses was done speaking with the Lord, the bible says Joshua would remain. And the cloud remained at the tent as well. Indicating that the Lord/ presence was with him.  Joshua would one day go from aide to Successor as the leader of Israel and the Lord would carry him from victory to victory.  But he may never had reached that level of Glory, had he not been positioned appropriately by Moses.

Questions to ask Yourself

Who's is in your tent?  The tent is only a symbol of the place where you regularly find quiet time with the Lord to seek his counsel.  To share your disappointments, weaknesses and moments of victory.  Your prayer closet.  Are you even finding time to go into the tent?  Do you have a tent?  Is God waiting there with no one to speak to?  

If you are there, who did you bring with you?  Who else needs to hear from the Lord?  Who else needs an example of a Godly man or woman?  If you are a parent and have children, I encourage you to seek the Lord in their presence and be the example of leadership that this world so separately needs.

Final Thoughts

Train a child, in the way that he should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

I pray that the spirit of the Lord stirs your heart to meet him in the tent to seek his counsel for the daily challenges of life.  I also pray that he gives you the name of a person that needs to witness your relationship with God.