Topical Bible: Israel: God Withdraws his Presence

◄ Israel: God Withdraws his Presence ►

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Throughout the biblical narrative, the presence of God with Israel is a central theme, signifying His favor, guidance, and protection. However, there are pivotal moments when God withdraws His presence due to Israel's disobedience and idolatry. This withdrawal serves as both a judgment and a call to repentance, underscoring the holiness of God and the covenantal relationship between Him and His people.

The Wilderness Experience

The first significant instance of God withdrawing His presence occurs during Israel's wilderness journey. After the incident of the golden calf, God expresses His intention to withdraw His presence from the people. In Exodus 33:3, God declares, "Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people, and I might destroy you on the way." This withdrawal is a direct consequence of Israel's idolatry and rebellion. Moses intercedes on behalf of the people, pleading for God's presence to remain with them, which God graciously grants (Exodus 33:14).

The Period of the Judges

During the time of the Judges, Israel repeatedly turns away from God, leading to cycles of oppression and deliverance. Judges 2:12-14 describes how the Israelites forsook the Lord and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. As a result, "the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He handed them over to raiders who plundered them." God's withdrawal of His protective presence allows Israel to experience the consequences of their unfaithfulness, yet He raises up judges to deliver them when they cry out in repentance.

The Divided Kingdom

The division of the united monarchy into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah marks another period of spiritual decline. The northern kingdom, in particular, is characterized by persistent idolatry and apostasy. In 2 Kings 17:18, it is recorded, "So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from His presence; only the tribe of Judah was left." This removal culminates in the Assyrian exile, a direct result of Israel's failure to heed the warnings of the prophets and return to the Lord.

The Babylonian Exile

Judah, too, experiences the withdrawal of God's presence due to its persistent sin and idolatry. The prophet Ezekiel vividly describes the departure of the glory of the Lord from the temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 10:18-19). This symbolic act foreshadows the Babylonian exile, where the people of Judah are taken captive, and Jerusalem is destroyed. Lamentations 1:3 reflects on this period, stating, "Judah has gone into exile under affliction and harsh slavery; she dwells among the nations but finds no rest."

The Call to Repentance and Restoration

Despite these periods of withdrawal, the biblical narrative consistently emphasizes God's desire for repentance and restoration. The prophets repeatedly call Israel to return to the Lord, promising that His presence will be restored if they turn from their wicked ways. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God declares, "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

The New Covenant Promise

The ultimate promise of God's restored presence is fulfilled in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The incarnation of Christ represents God dwelling among His people in a new and profound way. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." Through Christ's atoning work, believers are assured of God's abiding presence through the Holy Spirit, as promised in Matthew 28:20, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

In summary, the withdrawal of God's presence from Israel serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of faithfulness to the covenant. Yet, it also highlights God's enduring mercy and His desire to restore His people to a right relationship with Him.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 33:1-3
And the LORD said to Moses, Depart, and go up hence, you and the people which you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, To your seed will I give it:
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Library

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
... It was this gave Israel their victory over Jericho ... evil in the system, defeat is
God's voice telling ... His love and power, that He never withdraws Himself unless ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter vi restraining prayer is.htm

Privilege and Experience
... of the earth." The presence of God with Israel was the ... are some people who seem to
think that God, by some unintelligible sovereignty, withdraws His face. ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/ii privilege and experience.htm

Love's Triumph
... marrow, and parts soul and body, and withdraws us from ... of Israel, but the eternity
of Israel's God is the ... before the fixed gaze of some stony god, looking on ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/loves triumph.htm

Paul at Corinth
... abode in the house of 'one that feared God,' that is ... of yearning love which cannot
bear to give Israel up as ... and if He withdraws a little way, does He not do so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at corinth.htm

Triumphant Prayer
... believe in any arbitrary sovereignty that withdraws that gift ... Jeremiah turns to the
throne of God with another plea"'the hope of Israel'"and thereby ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/triumphant prayer.htm

The Heavenly Workers and the Earthly Watchers
... Side by side they proclaimed to Israel its destiny to be the ... to him.' We may have
as much of God as we ... No ebb withdraws the waters of that great ocean; and if ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heavenly workers and the.htm

Mount Zion.
... carefully that no member of the Church withdraws from the ... will hear it and do
it."[375] God Himself commended ... its reference to the children of Israel at Sinai ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xv mount zion.htm

The Same Conclusion Supported by the Transfiguration Marcion ...
... shall every word be established." [4341] He withdraws to a ... Respecting the face of
God, however, he had already heard ... the eyes of the children of Israel, so now ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxii the same conclusion supported.htm

The Wilderness State
... 1. After God had wrought a great deliverance for Israel, by bringing them out of
the house of bondage, they did ... And that God now withdraws his light and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 46 the wilderness state.htm

"The Sun of Righteousness"
... He withdraws the veil of night, and floods the earth ... among those Gibeonites who would
deceive Israel, and whose ... something of the presence of the Christ of God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sun of righteousness.htm