In the Word of God, we find examples of both unbelievers and believers who did not want to be in the presence of the Lord. Let us look first at unbelievers.
Cain is the most striking example of one who “went out from the presence of the Lord” (Gen. 4:1616And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. (Genesis 4:16)). We know the story well, how that he was very angry because his sacrifice of the “fruit of the ground” (Gen. 4:33And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. (Genesis 4:3)) was not acceptable to the Lord. As a result, he murdered his brother, lied about it, complained that his punishment was too severe, and finally went out from the Lord’s presence. He then went out and built a city, and his posterity began the developments of farming, industry and entertainment. The world that he established remains in principle the world system of today. It is a world that does not want God, but seeks to surround itself with as many creature-comforts as possible in a sin-cursed world. Its horizons are concerned only with the life down here.
Departure From the Lord
We read elsewhere in the Word of God that “the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)). Job also summarizes the attitude and lives of the wicked: “Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways” (Job 21:1414Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. (Job 21:14)). Our Lord Himself said, “Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:2020For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:20)). Even if a man lives an outwardly upright life, he shuns the presence of the Lord, for unless the Lord begins a work in his soul, God’s presence immediately convicts him, and he realizes that in his natural state, he is not fit to be there. He does not need to be a murderer like Cain in order to want to keep away from the Lord’s presence.
Judas Iscariot
The other prominent example of one who eventually went out from the Lord’s presence is Judas Iscariot. Like Cain, he knew who the Lord was, and he doubtless admired the goodness of the Lord Jesus and His walk before men. He had a much greater testimony than Cain, for he companied with the Son of God for 3½ years and shared in His earthly ministry. No doubt he even preached and worked miracles in the Lord’s name. Yet his heart remained untouched, and at the end, he betrayed his Lord and Master for money. In John 13, when the Lord had said to him, “That thou doest, do quickly,” it is recorded that “he ... went immediately out: and it was night” (vss. 27,30). He left the presence of the One who loved Him and who longed to be His Savior, preferring the company of Satan. His sad end is well-known, and the solemn words of our Lord concerning him ring down through the centuries, “Good were it for that man if he had never been born” (Mark. 14:21).
It will be a sad end for all who resist the Lord now during their lifetimes, for we read that in a coming day, they will be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thess. 1:99Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:9)). Those who have shunned His presence in this world will in turn be banished from His presence for all eternity. The awfulness of such a judgment cannot be described.
Believers That Avoid God
But what about believers? Can they too, at times, wish to avoid the Lord’s presence? Yes indeed, and we have instances of this in Scripture. Again, two examples come to mind.
The first is Adam and Eve, who, when they had disobeyed God, went and “hid themselves from the presence of the Lord amongst the trees of the garden” (Gen. 3:88And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8)). They were not like Cain, who wanted permanently to get away from God’s presence; no, they had faith, but they had lost their communion with the One who wanted to enjoy their company. Judgment followed, and they forfeited the Garden of Eden. But a remedy was provided. They were clothed with coats of skin: Death had to come in, a type of the death of Christ, who would provide eternal salvation. They were restored to communion, and another son, Seth, began the family of faith.
Jonah Fled From the Lord
Another prominent example is that of Jonah, who “rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:33But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. (Jonah 1:3)). His difficulty was different from that of Adam and Eve, but in principle it was the same thing: He did not want to obey the Lord. He was a prophet, and as such he knew not only the judgment of God, but also His grace. Yet he did not want to see that grace exhibited on behalf of Nineveh. His pride took him away from the Lord, but the Lord’s dealings with him brought him back and taught him that God’s grace was not merely for Israel, but for all men. He too was only a trophy of God’s grace.
We who know the Lord do not run away from God because we fear His judgment for our sins, but there may well be the inclination in our hearts to evade His presence because we are allowing the flesh to act in our hearts and lives. This is why the unfaithful Christian is generally miserable; he does not feel comfortable anywhere. If he goes out into the world, his conscience bothers him. If he comes among faithful Christians, again he does not fit. The only remedy is to get back into the Lord’s presence, confess the sin, and get right with the Lord. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:99If 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)).
W. J. Prost