#216 Outside

7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Exodus 33:7-11 NIV

It is interesting that their issues are not resolved inside the camp. Anyone, "inquiring of the Lord", would not retreat inside themselves, for the heart is deceitful, and the answers from the most well meaning and reasoned of men fall for the same. There is this Moses though, and yet he is not the origin, but rather the mediator. The people follow with their eyes, standing at the entrance of their tents, anxious about the outcome of this meeting. God's presence is there, and they had drawn nigh to Him in repentance, and now Moses approaches God, with the hearts of a people, wishing to be reconciled. 

…5For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.7However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.…1Corinthians 8:5-7