Sometimes we can take privilege for granted . . . sometimes that which should be a source of everlasting wonder, becomes commonplace . . . sometimes that which should be cherished is neglected. Three words in Exodus brought that to mind this morning . . . “worship from afar”.

“Now [God] said to Moses, ‘Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. And Moses alone shall come near the LORD, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.’ ” (Exodus 24:1-2)

When it came to the presence of God and the people of Israel there was no “general admission” . . . no “festival seating” . . . no “first come first served.” Rather, there were “cheap seats” and there were “front row seats”. God had said that He would come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all people (Ex. 19:11), but God was also very specific about how the people were to approach the Mount — He established their bounds. The general population, the average Joe and his family, could stand at the foot of the mountain, but they were not to set foot upon it. They could witness the glory of God descending, but they could not approach it (19:12-13, 21-25).

Exodus 24 says that then the Lord invited Moses, Aaron and his sons, and the seventy elders to come up upon the Mount . . . they could approach more closely the presence of God . . . they would get a glimpse of God (24:10-11) not afforded the general populous, but they too would have to worship from afar . . . they would have to keep their distance. In fact, only Moses would be allowed to ascend the Mount and enter into the very presence of God . . . only He would know the glory in its fullness. Moses could draw near . . . the rest would have to worship from afar.

Now don’t get me wrong . . . worshiping from afar must have been something in of itself. The people would see the glory of God descend upon the mountain top, the sight of it being like a consuming fire (24:17). Aaron, the boys, and the elders were permitted an audience with God that should have impacted them for life (tragically it was lost on Aaron’s sons . . . see Leviticus 10:1-3). But only Moses could enter into His very presence.

And while Moses was in God’s presence, God spoke to Moses of His desire to have a sanctuary made where He could dwell among the people (25:8). God wanted to be near His people, but even with the sanctuary, His people could only come so far and no nearer to their God. While there would be a tabernacle in their midst, there would be a holy place where only the priests could enter and a Most Holy place (26:33-34) where only Moses would have regular access. The very presence of God was restricted to one man . . . the rest would worship from afar.

Oh, were that all that was permitted, to get a glimpse of the glory of God and worship from afar, that would be privilege enough. But as a child of God, my privilege is much greater. Not because of who I am . . . not because of anything I’ve done. But because a way was made for me into the Most Holy place. The veil to the Holy of holies was torn from top to bottom when Christ gave His life for my sin (Mark 15:37-38). The blood of Christ became the once for all sacrifice that provided eternal redemption and free access into the very presence of God (Heb. 9:12). The risen Christ having made open the way to boldly enter and approach the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). There is no need to worship from afar for those who by faith have owned Him as Savior and Lord.

But too often we do . . . we worship from afar. We don’t avail ourselves of the access . . . we don’t pursue the Presence. Sometimes its because of sin that needs to be dealt with . . . sometimes its because we lose focus and somehow think the world’s “glory” is more attractive than His . . . and sometimes we just snooze . . . take it for granted . . . yada yada. But to realize that we can draw near to God and He will draw near to us (James 4:8) . . . to think that we can enter the Most Holy place — that the Most Holy has entered us . . . to grasp the amazing privilege of worshiping at the feet of Jesus . . . it takes the breath away. Worship from afar? No way!

Father, forgive me for settling for worshiping from afar . . . for allowing to become commonplace the privilege of entering Your presence. Thank You for access into the Most Holy place where the glory of God is beheld. Thank You for the grace that allows me to enter. By Your Spirit, and for Your glory, help me to worship You as I should. Show me Your glory . . . usher me into Your presence . . . receive my offering . . . amen!