When reading in the book of Exodus about God’s deliverance of Israel out of Egypt and bringing them to Mt. Sinai, have you ever wondered why He took them to Sinai? If His goal was to take Israel to the Promised Land, the most direct way was along the northern route which is actually a trade route. It would have been the route the caravan would have taken when they brought Joseph to Egypt to sell him. And, it would have been the route Jacob’s sons would have used when they went to Egypt to buy grain during the famine. So, if it was the easier route, then why did God bring Israel on a several-day journey out of the way to this remote mountain?

The answer can be found in Exodus 19:4 when God said to Moses “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself” (emphasis mine). This was the same mountain where Moses had the encounter with God at the burning bush, and where God revealed Himself to Moses. I believe it was God’s intention to bring the entire nation of Israel to this mountain so that they could have a similar encounter with God. He wanted them all to go up the mountain into the Presence of God as Moses did (Deut. 5:5) so He could put His Spirit and His laws in their heart (Jer. 31:31-34).

However, what happened when God did appear on the mountain and give them the Ten Commandments? Instead of drawing near to God, they ran back in fear (Ex. 20:18-21). Instead of hearing from God directly, they told Moses to speak to God, tell them what He says, and they will do it. Therefore, God had to engrave His laws on stone tablets because they would not allow Him to engrave them in their heart.

Now, as we read the rest of Israel’s story in the wilderness, we can see a difference between Moses and the people. Moses often went into the Presence of God and spoke with God face-to-face (Ex. 33:8-11). Israel remained at a distance from God and received His word second-hand from Moses. Moses reflected the glory of God (Ex. 34:29-35), while the people did not experience His glory. Moses longed for more of the Presence of God (Ex. 33:15-18), while the people longed to go back to Egypt (Num. 11:5). Moses was obedient, while Israel struggled with sin and idolatry. Moses trusted God, while Israel doubted God (Num. 14:1-12). And Moses was a friend of God (Ex. 33:5,11), while Israel was a stiff-necked people always complaining.

Moses and Israel traveled the same path, experienced the same problems, faced the same enemies, and received the same blessings from God but their responses were different. Why? What was the difference? The difference was the Presence of God.

Unfortunately, we see the same scenario in our churches today. There are many who, like Moses, desire to enter God’s Presence and have a personal, life-changing encounter with God. They desire to hear His voice first-hand and long to experience more of His glory. However, I believe most Christians are more like Israel. They are content to remain at a distance and hear God’s Word second-hand from their pastor or other ministers resulting in churches filled with people who struggle with sin, doubt, disobedience, selfishness, spiritual weakness, and complaining. This is also why most of our churches lack the power and anointing of God to touch lives and impact their communities—they are missing the Presence of God.

I believe part of the problem is that we have been taught to hear God’s Word from the “anointed professionals”, and we have not been encouraged to spend time in God’s Presence and allow Him to speak to us directly. We have also developed the mindset that so long as we have God’s blessing, His protection, His provision–His “presents”, we are doing alright spiritually and have need of nothing else.

But remember that this is what God offered to Moses. In Exodus 33, God told Moses that he was to lead Israel from Mt. Sinai and take them to the Promised Land. God would send His angel before them to lead them, protect them, and drive out their enemies, but His Presence would not go with them (Ex. 33:1-3). Moses, however, said that he would rather stay in the desert with God’s Presence than go to the Promised Land of blessing without His Presence (Ex. 33:15). He wanted God’s Presence, not His presents.

I want to challenge you with this. Carefully and honestly look at your life. Are you more like Moses or Israel? Who do you want to be like? If you want to move beyond just receiving God’s presents and experiencing more of His Presence, it will require commitment and determination on your part. You will need to follow Moses’ example and dedicate time alone with God (Ex. 33:7-11), ask Him to show you His glory (Ex. 33:18), then be quiet and allow Him to speak to you and reveal Himself to you (Ps. 46:10). God desires for us to have an intimate relationship with Him so if we will take the initiative to seek Him, He will respond (James 4:8).

I have often said that you can have as much of the Presence of God in your life as you want. And you already do. The choice is yours.