Paul’s description of our earthly house as a tent (II Corinthians 5:1) points out how temporary and fragile our lives really are. Tents have never been intended as permanent structures: they are simple in nature, consisting of fabric draped over some kind of frame. Modern day tents are fairly easy to assemble and disassemble because by nature, tents are designed to be mobile. They are generally vulnerable to storms, animal attacks, tears and rips, and most especially fire.
Much of the modern day usage for tents involve recreation - camping mostly, but in Paul’s day, tent-dwelling was a way of life. Before the days of Abraham, the Bible references Jabal, who was a part of Cain’s genealogy, as “the father of those who dwell in tents …” (Gen. 4:20). Genesis further notes that the patriarchs including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all lived in tents; the Children of Israel lived in tents during their 40 year wilderness existence; and for many years after entering the Promised Land, most of the Jews “abided in tents according to their tribe.” (Num. 24:2)
In Paul’s context, tents have far more significant than the tents used for weekend backpacking adventures. Tents provided a place to live back in Paul’s day, and although they were constructed out of materials that would provide as much protection and stability as possible; even so, the nature of tents is temporary.
Paul makes an interesting analogy in II Corinthians 5:4. He says “we who are in this tent groan … not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed.” He sees the tent as clothing that is to be worn during our temporary habitation away from Heaven. He writes that when the tent is destroyed “we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (II Cor. 5:1)
Paul exhorted believers to prepare for the day when the mortal, temporary “tent” would be replaced immortal, imperishable, spiritual, and permanent “house” in the presence of the Lord.
The ultimate goal for Paul was to have a life well-pleasing to the Lord. Realizing that during the time he would be living in the “tent”, he would be subject to suffering, attacks, discomfort, and the storms of life. Yet he knew that “He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has also given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” (II Cor. 5:5).
Our tents - the lives we live - are constantly under attack. Satan throws everything he can at us knowing our fragile vulnerabilities. These tents not permanent homes however. God, through the Holy Spirit, provides the strength we need to withstand and overcome Satan’s fires. When our tent-existence has fulfilled its purpose on earth, “we are confident, yes, well-pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (II Cor. 5:8)