Humanity was created to be in the presence of God, but since the “Fall” (Gen. 3), we have been longing to feel that presence again. This weekend, we begin a series about how God invited his fallen creatures back into his presence, specifically through the Tabernacle of the Old Testament.

Where have you felt the presence of God most clearly?

In Genesis 1-3, we have the account of how the world was created. But more than that, it is the story of how God lived among his people… and how his people messed it up.

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. —Genesis 3:8 (NLT)

What do you understand about God’s presence with Adam and Eve from this passage?

Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. 9 The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches. —Genesis 2:8-10 (NLT)

What do you notice about this garden?
What pictures come to mind with this description?

In the garden, Adam and Eve tangibly felt the presence of God. But once they sinned, they were removed from that presence and banished of the garden. This is a significant moment because ever since then, humanity has been trying to get back to the garden.

Fast forward to the wilderness wanderings (in the book of Exodus) and we begin to see an invitation back into God’s presence.

Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. 2 After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai. 3 Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. —Exodus 19:1-3a (NLT)

Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. 11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch. 12 Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death. —Exodus 19:10-12 (NLT)

Then the Lord instructed Moses: “Come up here to me, and bring along Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders. All of you must worship from a distance. 2 Only Moses is allowed to come near to the Lord. The others must not come near, and none of the other people are allowed to climb up the mountain with him.” … 9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. 10 There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. 11 And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence! 12 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the tablets of stone on which I have inscribed the instructions and commands so you can teach the people.” —Exodus 24:1-2, 9-12 (NLT)

What do you notice in these passages about the presence of God?

God’s desire has always been to dwell among his people. Why is this truth so important to understand?

What does it mean to be in the presence of God?

For further study, here is a link to a video by the Bible Project.
Royal Priests of Eden