Deuteronomy 31:14-15

3. JOSHUA COMMISSIONED (Deuteronomy 31:14-23)

a. GOD CONFERS WITH MOSES AND JOSHUA (Deuteronomy 31:14-15)

14 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourself in the tent of meeting, that I may give him a charge, And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. 15 And Jehovah appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud: and the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the Tent.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 31:14, 15

542.

What tent is the tent of meeting? Cf. Exodus 40:7, Numbers 11:16; Numbers 12:4.

543.

Do we have a tent of meeting today? i.e., a place where Jehovah has promised to meet us?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 31:14, 15

14 And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, your days are nearing when you must die. Call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may give him his charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tent of meeting.
15 And the Lord appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud; and the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the tent.

COMMENT 31:14, 15

The tent of meeting is not to be confused with the tabernacle. Compare Exodus 33:7-11, and note that Joshua is involved in that conference also. The tent of meeting (Heb. eth baahel) is there referred to before the Tabernacle (Heb. eth hammishcan) was erected (Exodus 40:17). Nor should it be confused with Moses-' own abode. Moses went to it without the camp, and returned again. Rather, it was a simple place of revelation and of the meeting of the people with Jehovah. See also Numbers 11:16; Numbers 12:4.

Usually, the distinction between the two tents is quite apparent from the context. It should be noted, however, that both are referred to as the tent of meeting or the Tent: with reference to the tabernacle in such passages as Exodus 39:32-33; The field office of Moses in such scriptures as Exodus 33:7.

Many commentators hold, however, that the phrase tent of meeting consistently refers only to the tabernacle proper after that structure was erectedthat is, it superseeded or replaced it, and took on its predecessor's name. It could be so in the present case; but normally none but the priests were privileged to enter the sanctuary, and Moses and Joshua presented themselves in the tent (Deuteronomy 31:14).