What Does the Bible Teach About His presence?
And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned." When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."
Key Facts
Term Name
His Presence
Concept Type
Theological
Key Takeaways
- God's presence combines transcendence and immanence, revealed through power and grace.
- Exodus 3:2-4 exemplifies divine presence as both holy and relationally accessible.
- Jesus embodies God's ultimate presence, shifting from physical spaces to incarnate nearness.
What is His presence?
In Scripture, 'His presence' signifies God's dynamic, embodied nearness to humanity, revealed through acts of power and grace - Exodus 3:2-4 provides a foundational example of this divine encounter.
The burning bush that was not consumed (Exodus 3:2) illustrates God's transcendence while remaining accessible to Moses. This presence combines awe-inspiring holiness with relational intimacy, as seen when God calls Moses by name and commissions him (Exodus 3:4). Such manifestations emphasize both God's otherness and His active engagement with creation.
This duality of transcendence and immanence shapes how Scripture portrays divine presence, inviting further exploration of its implications in covenantal relationships and redemptive history.
His Presence in Exodus 3:2-4
The burning bush encounter in Exodus 3:2-4 crystallizes the paradox of God's presence as both transcendent and approachable.
In Exodus 3:2, the flame that burns without consuming the bush symbolizes divine holiness unbounded by ordinary physical limits, yet directed toward a specific purpose. Moses' response - turning aside to investigate (Exodus 3:3) - reflects human curiosity drawn to the sacred, while God's call of his name (Exodus 3:4) establishes intimate relational engagement. This scene embodies the tension between God's otherness and His willingness to reveal Himself, as the unconsumed bush suggests divine power that does not destroy but commissions. The event becomes a paradigm for how Scripture portrays God's presence: simultaneously awe-inspiring and personally accessible.
This duality anticipates later biblical themes where God's presence dwells among His people - such as in the tabernacle or incarnate in Christ - without compromising His holiness. By anchoring divine revelation in a tangible yet paradoxical sign, Exodus 3:2-4 invites reflection on how God's presence operates within human history. Such encounters challenge us to balance reverence with trust in His relational initiative.
His Presence in the Tabernacle and Temple
Following the burning bush, Scripture reveals God's presence becoming increasingly tangible in communal worship spaces, culminating in the tabernacle and Temple.
In Exodus 40:34-38, the cloud and fire symbolizing God's glory filled the tabernacle, visibly marking His covenantal dwelling among Israel. 1 Kings 8:10-11 records the same glory cloud filling Solomon's temple, so overwhelming that priests could not remain. These physical manifestations emphasized God's holiness while affirming His commitment to bless His people through sacred space.
John 1:14 redefines this presence: 'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.' Jesus, as the incarnate Son, embodies the ultimate tabernacle - God's fullness residing not in stone, but in a person. This shifts divine presence from a location to a relationship, fulfilling the ancient promises of God's nearness.
Why His Presence Matters Today
God's presence, once manifested in the burning bush and temple, continues to shape the lives of believers today through guidance, comfort, and empowerment.
In Numbers 14:20-21, God’s promise to guide His people despite their unfaithfulness underscores His commitment to lead believers through life’s uncertainties. Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:20, ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age,’ assure modern followers of His unchanging companionship in both joy and suffering. The empowerment described in Acts 1:8 - receiving the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses - equips Christians to live purposefully, relying on divine strength rather than their own.
Yet this nearness does not negate God’s holiness. It invites believers to approach Him with reverence and trust, recognizing that His presence sanctifies and transforms. Understanding this paradox reshapes how followers navigate daily decisions, finding courage in His proximity and humility in His transcendence.
Going Deeper
To deepen our understanding of God's presence, consider related themes like the Shekinah glory, the Holy Spirit's indwelling, and the eschatological vision of divine dwelling.
The Shekinah glory, seen in Exodus 40:34-38 and 1 Kings 8:10-11, illustrates God's tangible presence in sacred spaces. 1 Corinthians 3:16 affirms believers as temples of the Holy Spirit, while Revelation 21:3 reveals the ultimate fulfillment: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.'
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Exodus 3:2-4
Moses encounters God's presence in the unconsumed burning bush, revealing divine holiness and relational calling.
John 1:14
The incarnation of Jesus as 'the Word became flesh' redefines God's presence as embodied in Christ.
Matthew 28:20
Jesus' promise to be with believers 'always' affirms His ongoing spiritual presence.
Related Concepts
Shekinah Glory (Theological Concepts)
The visible manifestation of God's presence in the tabernacle and temple, symbolizing His covenantal dwelling.
Holy Spirit (Theological Concepts)
The indwelling presence of God in believers, empowering and guiding them as described in Acts 1:8.
New Jerusalem (Places)
The eschatological vision in Revelation 21:3 where God's presence dwells eternally with humanity.