TOUCHING GOD AFTER BEING SEPARATED
The Bible tells us that the sin of mankind first separated them from God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23-24; Isaiah 59:2). However, it tells us that because of his love, God made an everlasting way to be in touch with his people again (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23: John 3:16).
HOW SIN SEPARATED PEOPLE FROM GOD
Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden by disobeying God (Genesis 3). The Lord told them not to eat fruit from a particular tree in the Garden, lest they die. The devil, appearing in the form of a serpent (Revelation 12:9), tempted them to eat the fruit, by telling them they would be like God. They ate from the tree, and died spiritually even while living (1 Timothy 5:6
Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden and separated from God. Being separated from God, the source of spiritual life, they immediately died spiritually. Physically death was set in motion, “as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrew 9:27).
HOW GOD REFERRED TO HIS PLAN TO REDEEM MANKIND
God alluded to his plan to redeem mankind in the following ways:
- The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them;” after they disobeyed God they felt naked; they hid among the trees to try to hide their nakedness from the Lord. In covering them with garments of skins, God showed that something or someone had to die to provide acceptable covering for sin. For “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).
- The Lord God also said, the “offspring” of the woman would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). Later, the offspring of the woman would “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” (Colossians 2:15).
HOW GOD MADE AN INTERIM WAY TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE
In his undying love for his people, God established the law as an interim way of communicating with them.
God instructed Moses to build an Ark of Covenant of the Law, as a temporary way of communicating with the people of Israel (Exodus 25:1-22; Galatians 3:24). The Ark was built with ring on the sides through which poles were used to move it. Nobody was to touch the sacred Ark or they would die. This was seen on an occasion when the Ark was being moved.
David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.
7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. (1Chronicles 13:6-10).
HOW GOD MADE AN EVERLASTING WAY TO BE IN TOUCH WITH HIS PEOPLE
God sent his Son into the world in the form of flesh to redeem mankind to God (Philippians 2:6-8; John 1:14: ). His death and atoning blood is God’s only acceptable covering for sin. The Son who died on a cross said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
A woman with an issue of blood, who according to God’s law was unclean (Leviticus 15); but she touched the hem of the garment of the Son of God; but she did not die (Leviticus 15). This woman had had a bleeding problem for twelve years, and had spent all she had on doctors trying to be cured. But when she learned that Jesus was nearby, she came up behind him and touched his clothes. She was healed immediately. Jesus asked, “Who touched my clothing?” His disciples wondered why he asked that question when there were so many people crowding against him. The woman came and fell at his feet, trembling with fear, and told him it was her. Jesus told her, “Daughter your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free from your suffering” Mark 5:25-34).
God sent Jesus to be our Savior and Lord. He was tempted and suffered all things like we do, without his having sinned. He is our understanding and merciful Savior and Lord. He can be touched by all of our concerns. No matter what our issues or problems are, we can come boldly before God’s throne of grace in the time of need. For Jesus is our sole mediator with God (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Yet, It is not God will that we sin so his grace will abound. However, If we love the Lord and have an earnest heart’s desire to keep his commands, he will give us the power of the Holy Spirit to help us obey him. But even if we should sin, God will forgive us. This is because the sacrificial blood of Jesus atones for our sin if we repent. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The biblical Word of God tells us, Jesus will return to take believers to be with him (John 14; 2-3). And “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies” (Romans 8:11). And when our Lord returns, we will be caught up to meet him in the air to live forever in heaven with our Lord God.(1 Thessalonians 4:17).
