Our study on Sarah is concluded with this tiny typology on tents!
From the moment that Abram and Sarai left their permanent home in Ur to claim the inheritance of the LORD God by following Him, tents became their shelter. They were no longer tied to the world with permanence, but rather made homeless in the world while at the same time, occupants of the Kingdom of God.
That change in their status is significant; while once grounded into the predictable life of middle class society, their circumstances changed overnight into the place of wandering in foreign lands. Typologically, a tent is a “temporary dwelling place for the accomplishment of works directed by the LORD God.”
Our Christian houses are sitting solidly upon the foundational rock of the Lord Jesus Christ, and can survive any story. However, in the deepness of typological representation, tents share the idea of housing as a “temporary state to complete works” rather than a fully protective, permanent structure.
Realize the significance of Sarah moving from a house to the tent for the rest of her life. Recognize that every supernatural event that happened to her and her husband occurred while they dwelt within the tents in the foreign countries that they were moved to by God. Sarah heard the angels speak to her husband at the tent door, and she was heard to laugh from the same place. Tents were a major part of Sarah’s life, which makes this a perfect time for us to look at a tiny bit of the typological concept that goes deeper in its representation.
Throughout the Bible, men of the LORD God “pitched their tents” in places that the LORD God led them. When they pitched their tents, you can be certain that they were moving again at God’s direction. It is a temporary stay; the situation will change (even if it takes forty years), and God WILL move them again.
Symbolically, as we do works for the LORD God, we “pitch our tents.” Christian workers should know that most jobs directed by Him last for a set, designated time, requiring them to move on as He sends them.
The first Tabernacle of the LORD God was made in the wilderness after the pattern of a tent. While the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, it would not benefit them to make a permanent structure for the dwelling place and worship of the LORD God. Their journey was temporary; even though it lasted through a couple of generations, it would one day come to an end, and they would be allowed into the Promised Land. Until that time, the tabernacle of the LORD God housed Him within a temporary tent that held His Ark. (Exodus 16-40)
Numbers 24:1-9
“And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. 3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. 7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.” (Numbers 24:1–9)
Examine this Scripture carefully to realize the fullness of Israel’s blessings as they dwelt within their tents.
Israel abided in their tents according to their tribes. There was a strict order for the erection of the tents around the Tabernacle of the LORD God. Even when Christians are in temporary places to do the works of the Lord, there are rules and standards established by Him for perfect order.
Pitching tents and standards in camp around Tabernacle
and order of march
East
1. Judah (First Rank)
2. Issachar
3. Zebulun
South
4. Reuben (Second Rank)
5. Simeon
6. Gad
In the middle
7. Levites
West
8. Ephraim (Third Rank)
9. Manasseh
10. Benjamin
North
11. Dan (Hindmost)
12. Asher
13. Naphtali
The temporary tent constructed to house the LORD God within the Ark of the Covenant was sufficient. Solomon built the LORD God a seemingly permanent house in Jerusalem. The LORD God reminded Him that all of His dwelling places are built by Him, even the ones made by human hands.
Acts 7:44-50
44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him an house. 48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things? (Acts 7:44–50)
The tent in which the Spirit of God resides is called the “Tabernacle” in the Word of God, and is just as significant to Christians as it is to the Israelites!
2 Corinthians 5:1–11
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:1–11)
Hebrews 8:1–5
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Hebrews 8:1–5)
The Lord Jesus Christ is the true tabernacle, pitched by the LORD God. He is the container of the LORD God that is permanent and eternally everlasting. While the tents and tabernacles built upon the earth were temporary, and one day ended, the tabernacle of the Lord Jesus Christ is sure and forever!
It is the tents of the strong and faithful Christians that protect them in a destructive world while they accomplish the works of the Lord. The temporary structures provide the surety of the Holy Spirit’s presence that travels with the journeying workers. Whether in the protected place of the body, or extended outside the body to accomplish the works of the Lord, Christians can be sure that a tent will contain and protect them as they do His things.
How blessed we are that our Lord has provided for our protection in the midst of the wicked and worldly, by giving us temporary dwelling places for our works to accomplish His will!
Praise Be to God!
