As I’ve asked previously, what if Corona Restrictions were to last for up to 2 years…what could we do in that time?
This article seeks to address the dual dynamic rhythms of Lockdown & Lift and how we can flow with those rhythms as disciples and communities-on-mission in a time of Corona…
THE FIERY CLOUD
GATHER-GO RHYTHM
There is a Gather-Go rhythm to the Movements of God. In the Book of Numbers, during the day, God’s presence appeared like a cloud over the Tabernacle and in the evening it looked like a pillar of fire. This night and day appearance of cloud by day and fire by night is a living pattern of the presence of God amongst his people.
However, the presence of God never remains stationary for long! The cloud would lift from over the sacred tent and the people of Israel would break camp and follow it!
Picture, if you will, a Movement so sensitive to the moving of the presence of God, that when God moves, we synchronistically move with Him, just as the Israelites did in ancient times
Notice that the LORD might move on, breaking camp, after just one night, sometimes two days, a month or a year.
Neither the people, nor the family leaders, clan leaders, or tribal leaders made the decision about how long they would stay, nor when they would go. They simply looked to see when and where the LORD was going and followed him and his instructions.
They don’t remain settled or stationary, but are constantly on the move until the kingdom is established.
This Old Testament pattern serves as a shadow of things to come. God still has a purpose for this dual dynamic; flowing in synchronicity in a gather-go pattern under one head, Jesus, who is present in the midst of his people as he establishes His Kingdom in all its fullness on earth as it is in heaven!
Jesus was and still is always looking to see what the Father is doing. It’s like a perpetual motion machine where the magnets are repelling each other to keep the forward motion. Avanti!
I believe in these days, Jesus is looking for a Mobile Church that can go and flow to the people and places Jesus is about to go to in order to establish His Kingdom
THE SILVER TRUMPETS
Notice that these trumpets sounded two main signals. A signal for gathering and a signal for going or scattering and breaking camp.
This defines a Gather-Scatter or Gather-Go dynamic that I believe the Holy Spirit is calling the Church’s attention to once again in our time.
During Covid-19, this dynamic rhythm can be referred to as Lockdown & Lift…
During Lockdown the disciples are scattered, as they were in Acts 8 and meet from house to house, in workplaces and online…
When Lockdown Restrictions Lift, churches can gather publicly again
How can we and our missional communities/churches make the most of our time during Lockdown?
What can we and our communities do at the times when the Lockdown Restrictions Lift to make the most of meeting in public?
Practically, in relation to this rhythmic movement to Go/Gather, The Israelites were instructed to make two silver trumpets to sound the alarm. Specific instructions were given regarding the signaling system, calling the community to assemble and the breaking of the camp when the LORD (through his cloud) was moving.. Reassemble. Disassemble. Camp. Gather. Move. All done with trumpet signals.
This is how the signals worked: When both silver trumpets are blown at the same time, everyone in their respective tribes had to gather together in front of Moses at the entrance of the Tabernacle of the Presence of God.
When just one of these silver trumpets is blown, only the leaders were instructed to gather to meet with Moses. It sounds almost like a game and is very theatrical when you come to think of it…
Short blasts on the silver trumpets were used to signal when it was time to move on. This was different to the longer signals used to call the people to gather. Short blasts to GO, long signals to GATHER. When it is time to GO, the pace quickens and the sound is more erratic. The GATHER sound is a sustained note, like a drone…
Only the priests, Aaron’s descendants, the Levites, were allowed to blow the trumpets. Those who were set apart and were closest to the presence of God. This was to be a permanent arrangement from generation to generation. Perhaps this innovation of the trumpets sounding as a way of alerting the people of God when to Go and when to Gather swiftly is referred to by the Apostle Paul when he describes the role prophecy has amongst the people of God in the New Testament Church; ‘If the trumpeter does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?’ (or if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?).
The power of this organisation enabled the Israelites to respond quickly to and follow the presence of the LORD. As soon as he moved, they did. The whole nation marching in formation would have been an awesome and formidable sight to any enemy.
‘And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” And when the Ark was set down, he would say, “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel”’
THE TRUMPET SOUNDS THROUGHOUT HISTORY
It would appear that the Gather and Go rhythms were not only for the people of Israel at the time of the Exodus, but seem to be an enduring pattern for God’s people to follow as they continue to hear His signal and follow His presence and commands given as trumpet blasts:
The camp, gather and move patterns continue as the nation of Israel (and God’s chosen people throughout the world who obey the commands of Christ) continue to be God’s chosen people by doing his work of implementing His order in His time and under his complete authority until His Kingdom is fully displayed on earth as indeed it is in heaven.
So, what are you and your Church doing during seasons of Lockdown?
What will you and your Church do during seasons of Lift?
