Lessons From Sacred History
As we learn more and more of what God is, and of what we ourselves are in His sight, we shall fear and tremble before Him. Let mortals of today take warning from the fate of those who in ancient times presumed to make free with that which God had declared sacred. When the Israelites ventured to open the ark on its return from the land of the Philistines, their irreverent daring was signally punished.MHH 252.1
Again, consider the judgment that fell upon Uzzah. As in David’s reign the ark was being carried to Jerusalem, Uzzah put forth his hand to keep it steady. For presuming to touch the symbol of God’s presence, he was smitten with instant death.MHH 252.2
At the burning bush, when Moses, not recognizing God’s presence, turned aside to see the wonderful sight, the command was given: “‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’ ... And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” Exodus 3:5, 6.MHH 252.3
“Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep.MHH 252.4
“Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven, and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: ‘I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your descendants. ... Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.’MHH 252.5
“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.’ And he was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!’” Genesis 28:10-17.MHH 252.6
In the sanctuary of the wilderness tabernacle and of the temple that were the earthly symbols of God’s dwelling place, one apartment was sacred to His presence. The veil inwrought with cherubim at its entrance was not to be lifted by any hand except one—that of the high priest. To lift that veil, and intrude unbidden into the sacred mystery of the most holy place, was death. For above the mercy seat appeared the glory of the Holiest—glory upon which no human might look and live. On the one day of the year appointed for ministry in the most holy place, the high priest with trembling entered God’s presence, while clouds of incense veiled the glory from his sight. Throughout the courts of the temple every sound was hushed. No priests ministered at the altars. The host of worshipers, bowed in silent awe, offered their petitions for God’s mercy.MHH 252.7
“These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11.MHH 253.1
“‘The Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth keep silence before Him.’”
MHH 253.2
“The Lord reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name—
He is holy.”
MHH 253.3
“He looked down from the height of His sanctuary.”
“From the place of His habitation He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.”
“Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
Habakkuk 2:20; Psalm 99:1-3; 102:19; 33:14, 15, 8.MHH 253.4
Human beings cannot by searching find out God. Let none seek with presumptuous hand to lift the veil that conceals His glory. “Unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out.” Romans 11:33. It is a proof of His mercy that He hides His power, for to lift the veil that conceals the divine presence is death. No mortal mind can penetrate the secrecy in which the Mighty One dwells and works. Only that which He sees fit to reveal can we comprehend of Him. Reason must acknowledge an authority superior to itself. Heart and intellect must bow to the great I AM.MHH 253.5