The blessings of Moses give us a remarkable description of the LORD God of Israel, a description which is for the most part unique to Moses. The eternal God is described as a “dwelling place” for His people. The term used here occurs nowhere else in Scripture, although we have closely related terms in Psalm 90:1 and Psalm 91:9. The word as used here is the same term Scripture uses for the lairs and dens of wild animals. God's dwelling place is a place of safety and security, a place where God Himself is absolutely sovereign. No entrance into His dwelling place is possible without His consent.

It strikes us that Moses is God's instrument in employing this image. He was the prophet who left the wealth and security of Egypt in order to lead God's people through the desert. For over forty years Israel appeared as a homeless, wandering people. Often they despaired of ever entering the promised land. Yet God proved He was ahead of them, and was a refuge to them in the wilderness. Moses alludes to what God Himself had promised, for He said, “I will make my abode with you and my soul shall not abhor you,” Leviticus 26:12.

And the LORD also proved His presence with mighty signs and wonders. The fire and smoke of Sinai, the manifestation of glory in the tent of meeting, the fire of judgment, the pillar of cloud and fire, the rod that budded, the rock that brought forth water – all these were signs which showed that the LORD had made His home among His people. He was the eternal God – constantly ahead of them, as the term literally indicates. He was their dwelling place, and just as He came to Sinai, so He carried His people with Him through the desert. On the way to the manifestation of His glory He is pictured as the mighty God who carries His people in His arms. As He makes His way to the dwelling place of His choosing, He moulds and safeguards His people so that they may be grafted and set like jewels into the home of His choosing.

It's an image for God's people to remember as they are about to enter the promised land. So it also becomes an image important for us! Not the land, but God is their real home! As they arrive at their destination, they must see God as their eternal dwelling place, the one that will carry and bear them up in such a way that they will conquer all their enemies. He said, “The land is mine,” (Leviticus 25:23), so making clear that the arrival in the promised land is not the final end or goal of their journey, but that in assuming possession of the promised land, they were to see God Himself making His way to His dwelling place of glory.

And despite Israel's fallback into bondage and fear, God made His way to Zion, His dwelling place! He made good His word of prophecy when the temple was built in Jerusalem and the ark entered the holy place, 1 Chronicles 15, 2 Chronicles 5. As in the dedication of the tabernacle, so here “the glory of the LORD filled the house of God,” 2 Chronicle 5:14. And when the earthly Jerusalem was rejected because of her sins, the LORD promised that He would return, and bring joy and gladness to Zion again, Isaiah 40. Once again, the glory and the smoke of His presence would fill His holy mountain!

All this was realized in the work of Christ, who is the image and reflection of the Father. In Christ the Word dwells among us, full of grace and truth! So John can say that Moses and the dispensation of the law have now been surpassed, John 1:17. Indeed, in Christ, the whole fulness of God dwells bodily, Colossians 2:9. In Christ the risen Lord at God's right hand, true God and true man, God has been pleased to make His eternal home! So all who by faith are ingrafted into Christ, into His broken body and shed blood, may also share the dwelling of God in the Spirit. Indeed, as Paul says, this is what fulfils the Old Testament promises, 2 Corinthians 6:16. So the church may be the temple of the living God, and we, with our life in the body here today, may be temples of the Holy Spirit, God's dwelling place in Christ!

This song of blessing also makes clear where the LORD is going with His church. He is the eternal God, always ahead of His people, breaking open a pathway of victory for them. This great drama unfolds in the Revelation of John. God strides in power and might with His people towards the day when He can dwell with man. Thus, even though it appears that the entire creation is loosed from its foundations, the church has nothing to fear. God is in the midst of her, Psalm 46:5. It is His home, His dwelling place. And from His temple comes the final judgment which will bring destruction on all His enemies, and usher in the final dawn in which He will make His dwelling place with His people, Revelation 15:5ff. Again the temple will be filled with smoke from the glory of God and His power! Then the holy city will appear, and a loud voice will say,

Behold the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them.Revelation 21:3

So we can continue our pilgrimage with confidence. He is always ahead of us, the eternal God. He has been sure and steadfast in His purpose! He will carry Jerusalem as a mother carries a child, Isaiah 66:12. Underneath are the arms that encircle and protect us. And He will carry us home!