Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to their own tent. The community worships from their tent entrances when they see the cloud at Moses' tent. The distributed worship — each person at their own entrance, the cloud at Moses' entrance — is worship from a distance, worship mediated through the one who has access. The scene pictures the covenant community in the post-calf moment: the access that was direct at Sinai has become indirect. The mediation that was supplemental has become necessary. The longing that fills the people's watching becomes the longing that drives Moses' prayer in verse 13.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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