God, Goat Hair, and Tents

A profound insight I acquired in class the other day involves the relationship between Bedouin tents and God. The Hebrew for tent is ohel. Tents were the primary source of housing for these nomadic sheep herders in the Biblical era. These tents were constructed from goat hair due in part to its dynamic elements. When it rains or becomes moist, goat hair contracts to prevent water from seeping into the tent. As the air becomes arid and hotter, it expands to produce tiny holes that allow a breeze to waft through the tent. Laying down and looking up at a tent during the heat of the day produces the image of a black sky with stars.

Tents also represent refuge and protection. Hospitality is a duty in Bedouin culture. Strangers may seek asylum under the tent of a Bedouin and receive food and drink before moving along on their way. Visitors are elevated above family members. A Bedouin will save a stranger and defend them at all costs; even to the point of sacrificing their own family.  

Now, rewind to the story of Abraham. Nine times in Genesis the Hebrew word ohel is used in the Abraham story. He was a transient Bedouin with a tent for a home. In Genesis 15:5, God brings Abraham outside and shows him the stars of the sky and promises his offspring will be as numerous as what he is looking at. God is communicating to Abraham in Bedouin language he understands. Abraham looks up and sees God's tent stretched out over the earth like he would see lying in his tent with tiny holes analogous to stars.

Isaiah touches on this idea in 42:5:

"Thus said God the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what it brings forth,
who gave breath to the people upon it
and life to those who walk on it."

The earth is God's tent He stretched out. We are offered provision, protection, and hospitality under His tent. He even goes so far as to sacrifice His Son for us so we can be protected from our enemy and the future Passover. Paul mentions Jesus in our "Passover lamb" in 1 Corinthians 5:7. Passover has its roots in the Hebrew word pesach which literally means "protective offering." Jesus' blood protects us from God's wrath as it did in the Exodus story. The author of Hebrews in 11:28 says:

"By faith He kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them."

Moreover, John subtly hints at Jesus pitching His tent among us in corporeal form.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."

The Greek word skenoo can also mean tabernacle or tent. In other words, Jesus came and "tented" or "tabernacled" with us.

Amazing how God can teach us through simple things like tents.