Atmosphere

We all know something about the physical atmosphere around us. We don’t usually like a very cold or a very hot atmosphere, one that is dank (unpleasantly wet), a smokey atmosphere or one that has nasty smells, to name a few. We may suffer harm when we spend a lot of time in a bad physical atmosphere. I would refer here to what is known as smog: an atmosphere containing a lot of exhaust from motor vehicles, for example. However, there is also the question of the spiritual atmosphere in which we live, and this is what I have in mind to consider here.

Before, the Noachic flood “the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was full of violence” (Genesis 6:11). However, after the flood, Noah offered up burnt offerings and it is said “Jehovah smelled the sweet odour” (Genesis 8:21). A note says literally “odour of rest”. The corrupt and violent atmosphere that had prevailed prior to the flood had now become a restful one.

If we turn to the tabernacle in the wilderness, we find that in the tent a good atmosphere was maintained. Incense was burned on the alter of incense. The actual sacrifices were burned on the brazen altar which was outside the tent (Exodus 40:6). Aaron had to burn the incense “a continual incense before Jehovah throughout your generations” (Exodus 30:8). No strange incense was to be offered as the next verse says. The incense offered was literally “incense of fragrant drugs” as a note says. The atmosphere in the tent had to be what God could appreciate and not man’s ideas. In chapter 30 verses 34 to 38 details are given as to the ingredients of which the incense was to be made. Note that the incense was for God (Deuteronomy 33:10; Malachi 1:11), though it would no doubt have permeated the tabernacle where the priests operated. Apart from the incense burned on the golden altar we are told that pure frankincense was put on the twelve show loaves (Leviticus 24:7). Further, the ambiance of the tabernacle had to be what God had ordained. The curtains were blue (the heavenly colour) and purple and scarlet (Exodus 26:1), also gold was in evidence everywhere. Many churches existing today have emulated this and are ornate, though what we should have today are the corresponding spiritual features.

Further, it was said to Aaron: “Thou shalt not drink wine nor strong drink (things corresponding to gin and whisky that we have today), thou, and thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tent of meeting, lest ye die - [it is] an everlasting statute throughout your generations, that ye may put difference between the holy and the unholy” (Leviticus 10:9/10). Today, we use electricity, but we have to treat it with respect and not handle live wires which if we do could prove fatal. As to wine drinking see Titus 2:3 as regards those who have to say to sacred things. So we have instructions as to wine drinking also in New Testament times !

The tabernacle also had a tent over it and coverings and each one had, no doubt a practical use (Exodus 26:7 and 14). As to the Bedouin today it has been pointed out: “Their tents are made of goat hair and are very loosely woven. They are beautifully lit inside and, as the outside of the tent gets hot, it causes an updraught that sucks air through the loose weave. If you open the tent flaps, the air comes screaming in, even though there is no breeze. It’s brilliant. If it rains, the goat fibres swell up and the tent gets tight as a drum. And, because it’s black, the tent shows no dirt. And the factory that made the tent follows you around, eating anything you can’t and converting any form of biomass into meat, butter, cheese, fur, leather and wool.” I note that the tent over the tabernacle was made of goats’ hair (Exodus 26:7). No doubt the tabernacle inside had an even temperature - not ice cold, nor sizzling hot. No doubt rain was kept out.

When we come to the New Testament we find no instructions as to the use of incense. It was still being used in the temple as we learn from the beginning of Luke. We have it also spoken of in a symbolic way in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3/4. However, once the material temple had been set aside, we do not find it had a place in assembly life. Some churches today use it, particularly what are called high churches. However, such churches are going back to a material system of worship rather than the spiritual one that the apostles advocated (1 Peter 2:5).

If we speak of houses in the New Testament we find that the atmosphere in them was not always what it should be. In the house in Matthew 9:23-26 there was a tumult and the Lord dealt with this before he raised up the damsel who had died. However, we have a good atmosphere in John 12:3 and we find that the odour of the ointment that Mary used filled the house. Further, we should always remember “The words of the wise are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.” (Ecclesiastes 9:17). In Luke 10:39 we find that Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his word.

However if we speak of the Christian assembly again we find that the atmosphere was not always right. Consider 1 Corinthians 11:17-22. One would not have heard ribald laughter and stamping of feet in the tabernacle in the wilderness or Solomon’s temple. However we know that the atmosphere was not right in Herod’s temple for the Lord had to cleanse it, probably twice (John 2:13-22 and Luke 19:45/46). What would correspond to incense now ? David said: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense” (Psalm 141:2). This is a great test. A brother’s prayers can produce an atmosphere in a meeting and have efficacy as those spoken of in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3/4. Note the prayers of the saints are addressed to God and not to man. However, the Lord’s prayer in John 17 was heard by his disciples and we have it recorded for us. No doubt this prayer as well as others was incense to God.

If we want to have the Lord’s presence with us we must provide the right conditions. Reverting to the tabernacle in the wilderness we may note that everything had to be in order (Exodus 40). In the Christian assembly Paul required that all things should be done comelily and with order (1 Corinthians 14:40). See also chapter 11:34. The Christian assembly should also have a heavenly character (the blue). Divine love should be in evidence (the gold) and so on. There is something wrong if all we have is cold formality or simply an intellectual presentation of doctrine. On the other hand an emotional, overheated meeting is also wrong.

A good many years ago a godly brother wrote: “I grieve to feel how little we can present a haven of rest to the many distressed souls now in system”. Are our meetings today havens of rest ? (Consider Psalm 107:30)

July 2010