Alone Time with God - Exodus 33-36

Exodus 33:7-10 (ESV)

The Tent of Meeting

Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door.

Moses was God’s spokesman for the nation of Israel.   For this reason he needed to continue to be in fellowship with God.   The above passage tells us how this was accomplished in the desert in the midst of a million plus people.   Perhaps Moses’ approach to getting alone with God can give us some pointers for our alone time:

1.  Moses pitched his tent outside the camp.    If we want to have a private time with God it might be wise to find a place where the world’s noise is not as prevalent.  Oddly, as I write this I am in a Starbucks in Florida.   This is hardly a tent in the wilderness.   In the Gospels, it is recorded in nine different places that Jesus got alone to pray (Mark 1:12; 35; Luke 5:15-16; 6:12-13; Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:31-32; Matthew 14:23; Matthew 15:29; Mark 14:32).   Finding that place to be alone is a necessary step to hear God in a unique way.  

2. Moses allowed others to go with him to fellowship with God. The text reads that everyone who sought the Lord would meet with Moses.  Our alone time does not have to be alone all the time.   Coming tougher to worship is a part of our fellowship with God.   

3. Moses time with God brought about a high level of respect and worship from the people.  Moses set the example and it would solicit others to worship.    Worship is contagious.   We ought to want to inspire others to rise up and worship.   

4. Moses took Joshua with him in worship.  This is found later in the same context. Note:

Exodus 33:11 (ESV)

Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Moses made such an impact that Joshua would linger even longer in worship.   This is what leadership is supposed to do.  We are inspire others to want more of God than even we want.  

Setting up an alone time for God should be an intentional aspect of our walk with God.   We can approach Him anywhere and anytime but having a time that is intentionally set aside to approach Him is a first step in feeling comfortable to approach Him at anytime.