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Israel had been delivered from Egypt, but by Exodus 33 something had gone terribly wrong. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people had turned to the golden calf, and their sin had damaged their fellowship with God. Moses therefore pitched the tent of meeting outside the camp. Its location spoke of separation, but it also revealed mercy: even in the aftermath of Israel’s failure, the invitation remained open. “Everyone who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting.” The tent stood at a distance, but God had not closed the door to those who would seek Him.
That gives us the first truth about drawing near: it requires a deliberate step. No one arrived at that tent accidentally. They had to leave the ordinary activity of the camp and intentionally go out to meet with God. The same principle remains for us. Work, family, tiredness, responsibilities and entertainment can easily fill every available space without necessarily being sinful themselves. Yet James tells us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” We come honestly, with repentance and humility, making room to open His Word, pray, confess what needs confessing and turn our attention again towards Him.
But Moses wanted more than God’s help. When the Lord spoke of taking Israel towards the Promised Land, Moses answered, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” The blessing was not enough without the One who gave the blessing. That is a searching question for every believer: do I truly want God, or mainly what I hope God will do for me? And as Moses drew near, his prayers were not only about himself. He carried Israel before the Lord. The closer we come to God, the more our hearts should turn towards our wives, children, church, friends, workmates and those who do not yet know Christ. Drawing near leads naturally into intercession.
Yet Moses could not finally solve the problem that separated sinful people from a holy God. That is where the message leads us to Jesus Christ. Hebrews tells us that Christ suffered “outside the gate”, bearing our sin and shame, and that through His blood we now have boldness to enter the presence of God by a new and living way. The story moves from God dwelling among Israel, to the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, and then to God dwelling within His people by the Holy Spirit. We do not draw near because we have made ourselves worthy. We draw near because Christ is worthy, and through Him the way has been opened. God invites us to seek Him deliberately, value His presence above His gifts, and carry others before Him in prayer.
