The Presence of God - Part 1 "Reflections on Haiti"

Dr. Hayes taught “Introduction to the Old Testament.” I had been told that his tests were difficult at best. One fellow student suggested that I read EVERYTHING, including the footnotes. Dr. Hayes tested tough. So I studied for the final like I had not studied for any other class before. I felt prepared. The final, as was true for all other classes at this senior college, was to be essay in nature. I was ready … famous last words!

The good doctor came into class as we pulled out our blue essay booklets. He took chalk in hand and wrote only one question on the blackboard – “Describe in as much detail as possible Tabernacle.” Was that it? One question? What I remember about the Old Testament’s description of the Tabernacle could fit on maybe one page of the blue essay book and I was suppose to write for upwards to 2 to 3 hours? I was in trouble.

Oh, I did write for around 2 hours, after all I was going to be a preacher and according to a friend’s assessment of those in that particular profession, “you need the ability to talk a long time, sound important, but probably not really say anything,” I was well suited. I’m not really sure what I wrote, but it got me a D+. Thank the good Lord for all my other grades because I was able to pull a B- out of the class! He probably graded on some sort of a curve because I don’t think the other students did so well either based on the stunned looks on their faces after taking the final exam.

Tabernacle? He had to be kidding! So many cubits this way and so many cubits that way; the different rooms of the large tent; the type of wood used for the poles; the type of material used for the tent itself; who was to pack it up and carry it; and when it should be packed up and moved. But that is not what he was looking for as testified by my grade. I didn’t understand after all there was so much other material in the Old Testament that seemed so much more important than describing the Tabernacle!

It wasn’t until the birth of my firstborn that I understood.

Timothy Wayne was coming home from the hospital. Along with him and mommy I was also bringing home Mother-in-law to help with the care of our young baby and his mother. Tim was either sleeping, eating or in the arms of my wife or my mother-in-law. I was but a mere observer.

Then Mrs. Sever went home and I waited.

I didn’t sleep too soundly that first evening. I was just waiting until I could hear the slight stirring of my young son in his crib. At 2 AM the sound came – an invitation to “come pick me up.” I slipped oh so carefully out of our bed, very quietly closed our bedroom door and picked up my son, my first-born. He was flesh-of-my-flesh, bone-of-my-bone and there in the darkened living room of our small apartment in Decatur, GA with the beams of a full moon streaming in through the blinds he and I had meeting! Heart to heart … spirit to spirit … we were one!

Then it dawned on me what Dr. Hayes was after. Tabernacle, Tent of Meeting – God had come close to the people and they were one with the Creator and Deliverer. Heart to heart … spirit to spirit … they were one! Tabernacle – it was the full story of the Old Testament (and also the New Testament) wrapped up in one concept. Oh, the amazing story of God’s coming to be with his people.

(To be continued while reflecting on the Haiti tragedy)

Quote for today: “Live love. Act truth. Honour life. And it will be God within you whom you live, act, and honour. God will not come to you because you have become ‘good’. He was already there. He has always been coming and always is coming. But now you can see Him because you have purified your eyes, softened your heart, and stooped down.” Carlo Carretto