On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
Exodus 19:16-17 NIV
Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden of Eden because of the sin of disobedience. After this, man lost not only their place in the presence of the Lord, but they were also filled with apprehension. The feeling of concern or regret because of sin and its consequence. Therefore, they are unable to come into God’s presence, not even when God is inviting them.
Meanwhile, it is important to note also that God does not want man to remain shut out of His presence forever. He longs for a restoration of the broken fellowship. Even while He was pronouncing judgement back in the garden of Eden, He gave a promise about a future offspring of the woman who will eventually crush the serpent’s head. And as a result, bring to fulfilment the requirement for a complete restoration of the broken fellowship (Genesis 3:15).
God has since then been saving for Himself a remnant from all generation. He is also reconfirming His promise, but only with a very few people who He was able to invite into His presence up unto this point in the story of the bible. In keeping to His promise, He brought the people of Israel out of the land of slavery. The goal was making them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). But this would not be possible as long as sin is still reigning among the people.
But then we see the Israelites, who have long been at a distance from God’s presence finding it difficult to return even when God was inviting them. “And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” (Exodus 19:10-11 NIV)
When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
Exodus 20:18-19 NIV
It is quite unfortunate to realise how the people no longer have any life in them so that they can enjoy hearing God speak to them. How could they have preferred the voice of Moses over God’s voice? This is because of nothing but the sinful nature in them. That nature cannot behold the presence of God.
The farther you go from God and the longer you remain there will affect your fellowship with Him. When a man remains at a distance from God, it deadens his spiritual life. He loses interest and excitement in the things of God. If I may ask you, how far have you gone from God? How long have you been away?
For how long will you stay away? Accept God’s invitation today. Put off the sinful nature. Come into His presence again and have the joy that comes with fellowship.
