Prayer is Conversation
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
(Numbers 7:89)
This is the last verse of a very long chapter. The other 88 verses comprise a detailed account of the gifts that the Israelite tribal chiefs brought to the tabernacle. Chapter 8 is a list of regulations for the Levites who service the tabernacle. Moses has been talking to God for the past couple hundred pages- there's no reason why it should be described like this all of a sudden. This verse stands alone, with no immediate context to explain it. Moses' conversational relationship with God is the most important thing in his life, and he sees no need to explain it.
"When Moses was gone into the tabernacle." The book of Hebrews says that because of the flesh and blood of Jesus, we can have boldness to enter into the holiest (Hebrews 10:19-20). In place of an earthly tabernacle, God has given His people constant access into the heavenly, spiritual tabernacle. How often do you take advantage of this tremendous gift?
"To speak with him." Not speak to him- speak with him. Why do you pray? To fulfill a religious requirement, or satisfy your sense of pious guilt? To digest spiritual writing? To get something from God, some blessing or word of advice? Or do you pray in order to have a conversation with God?
"He heard the voice of one speaking unto him." When you talk to God, does He talk back? Do you expect Him to talk back? Just like before, intention is key. If you don't mean to have a conversation with God, how will you know to listen to Him?
"Speaking unto him from off the mercy seat." A conversational relationship with God is not a gift He arbitrarily gives to people. From another point of view, talking with God is not something we humans, in our present sinful state, are naturally capable of. Only through the "mercy seat"- the place where the blood of atonement is sprinkled- is communication with God possible. In Romans 3:25 Paul uses the Greek word for "mercy seat" to describe Christ. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we can meet with God.
"And he spake unto him." God speaks to you- that's the goal. The pinnacle of a time of prayer is active fellowship with God, through the blood of Jesus, in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.
(Numbers 7:89)
This is the last verse of a very long chapter. The other 88 verses comprise a detailed account of the gifts that the Israelite tribal chiefs brought to the tabernacle. Chapter 8 is a list of regulations for the Levites who service the tabernacle. Moses has been talking to God for the past couple hundred pages- there's no reason why it should be described like this all of a sudden. This verse stands alone, with no immediate context to explain it. Moses' conversational relationship with God is the most important thing in his life, and he sees no need to explain it.
"When Moses was gone into the tabernacle." The book of Hebrews says that because of the flesh and blood of Jesus, we can have boldness to enter into the holiest (Hebrews 10:19-20). In place of an earthly tabernacle, God has given His people constant access into the heavenly, spiritual tabernacle. How often do you take advantage of this tremendous gift?
"To speak with him." Not speak to him- speak with him. Why do you pray? To fulfill a religious requirement, or satisfy your sense of pious guilt? To digest spiritual writing? To get something from God, some blessing or word of advice? Or do you pray in order to have a conversation with God?
"He heard the voice of one speaking unto him." When you talk to God, does He talk back? Do you expect Him to talk back? Just like before, intention is key. If you don't mean to have a conversation with God, how will you know to listen to Him?
"Speaking unto him from off the mercy seat." A conversational relationship with God is not a gift He arbitrarily gives to people. From another point of view, talking with God is not something we humans, in our present sinful state, are naturally capable of. Only through the "mercy seat"- the place where the blood of atonement is sprinkled- is communication with God possible. In Romans 3:25 Paul uses the Greek word for "mercy seat" to describe Christ. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we can meet with God.
"And he spake unto him." God speaks to you- that's the goal. The pinnacle of a time of prayer is active fellowship with God, through the blood of Jesus, in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.