<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/63fc9a68-21c8-47b3-84ea-16f13910c15a/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213553.jpg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/63fc9a68-21c8-47b3-84ea-16f13910c15a/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213553.jpg" width="40px" /> The gate, as the entrance to the tabernacle, was not just a physical threshold, but a point of communal and liturgical convergence for the Israelites. It was where they brought their diverse offerings and sacrifices to God, under the supervision of the gatekeeper. This act of coming together was a key aspect of their worship and their communal life, much like the gathering of the church in Corinth.
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Therefore, the gate in the Tabernacle of Moses can be seen as a forerunner to the New Testament church. It was a place where the people of God came together in all their diversity, bringing their unique gifts and offerings to God, and where they were also formed into a worshipping community under the banner of God's love and protection. This is the prophetic significance of the gate in the New Testament church, and it is this that we are called to embody when we come together to worship.
Redeeming the proistemic genius (IST, lead) - The ability to preside over an effective team. The innate ability to create followers who are dedicated to moving forward objectives to the advantage and delight of the home team.
“The drive and urge to marshal people and resources to accomplish a certain task, vision or endeavour. Individuals will seek to preside over, delegate and/or deploy people and resources in a determined and decisive way by engaging the most efficient method or approach to achieve a goal or accomplish a mission” (Samuel/Moen)
Prophetic significance of the proistemic genius* ***(see Rom 12:6-8)- to lead or preside over (the team) - external controls, the head or gate man; the point man or woman who leads the charge in the priestly services as each family nucleus is represented before God with their sacrificial offerings. The man at the gate of the tabernacle supervises the various households (oikos) as the entire nation comes together to worship Adonai under the banner of his love and protection. The full significance of the gate in the New Testament will not be seen until the coming of Christ in the proistemic genius which triggers the next and subsequent moves of God (see Revival, Awakenings, Azusa, Wales, etc).
In Exodus 40, the proistemic genius can be seen in the careful and intentional way the Tabernacle is set up, particularly at the gate. This gate, as the primary point of entry into the Tabernacle, serves a crucial role in organizing the worship of the Israelites. The person overseeing this gate, likely the high priest or a designated leader, would have the responsibility of calling the assembly together for worship. This act of gathering is not just about physical organization, but also about spiritual preparation, setting the tone for the worship experience that is to follow. The proistemic genius in this context is about more than just leadership; it's about creating a space where the community can encounter God in an ordered and meaningful way.
In the New Testament, a parallel can be drawn to 1 Corinthians 14:26, where Paul talks about the church coming together for worship. Each person comes with something to contribute - a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. The person or persons who call the assembly together, likely the church leaders, are exercising a form of proistemic genius. They are not just organizing a meeting; they are facilitating a space where the diverse gifts of the church body can be shared and experienced. This is a key aspect of the New Testament pattern of worship as shown to Apostle Paul. It's about coming together in all our diversity, under the guidance of proistemic leadership, to build each other up and experience the presence of God in a communal setting.
Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 14:26, while given in the context of the early church's worship gatherings, can also be extrapolated to inform leadership and missional objectives in various non-levitical, or secular, contexts. This is often referred to as the 'Priesthood of All Believers' in the New Testament church, where every believer is called to be a 'minister' or 'priest' in their own right, in every sphere of life they are placed in. The key to this is the understanding that the 'church' is not confined to the four walls of a physical building, but is represented by the believers in every area of society - the home, the marketplace, the military, etc.
In the home, leadership is about shepherding the family in the ways of the Lord, much like the early church leaders did. It's about creating a space for worship, discipleship, and mission in the rhythms of everyday life. This could look like leading the family in prayer and worship, facilitating conversations around the Word of God, and looking for opportunities to serve and bless the wider community together.
In the marketplace, whether that be in business, education, the arts, or any other sector, leadership is about influencing the culture for the kingdom of God. It's about modeling Godly character, making ethical decisions, and using our skills and resources to serve others and advance the gospel. This could look like treating employees with fairness and respect, creating products or services that contribute to the common good, or leveraging our platforms to advocate for justice and righteousness.
In the military, or in any context of authority and power, leadership is about exercising our influence with humility, integrity, and a concern for the welfare of others. It's about being a force for peace, justice, and reconciliation in a broken world. This could look like upholding the rule of law, protecting the vulnerable, and working towards the resolution of conflict.
