Perhaps it may turn out a sang,
Perhaps turn out a sermon.

-- R. Burns Epistle to a Young Friend

Friday, March 6, 2015

RE: TARDIS



In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, declares the LORD who does this. -- Amos 9:11-12


The booth or tabernacle of David was the tent in which the Ark rested after David brought it up to Jerusalem until the completion of Solomon’s temple.  Amos is prophesying some two hundred years after the reign of Solomon.  Referencing the tabernacle of David would have been analogous, in a historical sense, to our referencing that period when the seat of the federal government was in New York rather than in Washington, D.C.  The words of Amos, though, look forward to the Son of David and His resurrection. 

We were talking about the Ark and how we are God’s dwelling a couple of days ago.  It is sometimes said, in words to this effect, God is so vast and transcendent that the cosmos itself cannot contain Him yet so immanent, so personal and intimate that He is able to dwell within a human heart.  We are not worried by paradoxes, recognizing enlightenment reconciles parallel lines at the vanishing point of language.     

I am not a diehard Dr. Who fan, but I know what TARDIS is, and I know that it is bigger on the inside than on the outside.  Humans are the same way.  We tend to think, in common sense, of our bodies as containers.  They are more like three-dimensional interfaces.  I won’t be tattooing this old carcass – too much like branding cattle – but if I were of that persuasion, I would consider:  Cosmos Inside.      

Restoring the booth of David would serve to unite the people of God.  Edom, that is Esau, and Israel are brothers separated and often at odds with one another.  The Lord rejected Esau as He had previously rejected Ishmael but not forever.  The rejection of the nations, whatever their lineage, was only temporary and relative.  Eventually all are reunited in and under the one Tabernacle: Christ.  We are all in Christ, and He dwells in us.  The kingdom of God is within you.   

5 comments:

Rick said...

"God is so vast and transcendent that the cosmos itself cannot contain Him yet so immanent, so personal and intimate that He is able to dwell within a human heart."

And in my Father's heart are many chambers.

There was something in the original Cosmos series about measuring a coastline and finding that it is actually of infinite length.

Anonymous said...

Whirlwinds are bigger on the inside. Lots of drama until it gets expanded and silent. Hardly anyone stands still enough to get carried off in that part. Probably has something to do with what is called faith. Good company with those that get taken.

Just because it is bigger does not mean that there is not drama. Just stuff that looks like the edges of the known universe. Of course, that looks like racing away. Just this place falling. Or perspective.

robinstarfish said...

I've never wanted a tattoo, but that one, yeah I could go for that. At least a t-shirt.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thinkin' in a container kinda way diminishes our faith in God.
Rather than tryin' to contain we oughtta be connectin' to God's gifts and choosin' to let His grace unlock our potential destiny.

mushroom said...

Good points.

I always recall that picture Robin has of the outlet on the wall in an old building. My coffeepot does not contain the grid.