Shekhinah...appended

Also, think about this.
What was God doing all that time in Exodus, Leviticus, et al...?
All those laws, sacrifices, commands, instructions, building...etc?
He was not only preparing His people to be His people, also, He was preparing them to abide in His presence. HIS PRESENCE!

Intimacy.

Guidance.

Ongoing Communication.

Instruction.

Discipline.

Relationship.

Provision.

Everything a father is expected to have with his children.

This type of relationship had not been available since the Garden debacle.

Man needed God to come near. Only...think of this. God Himself also wanted to come near. He prepared His people because He wanted to come to them. God desired to abide with them.

It is indeed a very sad story, many years later, when Ezekiel is transported to Jerusalem to the Temple, and is shown the drama of God's presence leaving His people. (Ez. 8ff) One can sense the hurt, anguish and anger of the Father as he withdraws from the Temple. One can feel the sense of hopelessness as God leaves the people to themselves.

However, God is not a quitter. Thankfully.

He comes back, many years later, only, now, He has chosen to come near, not shrouded in an awesome dark cloud with peales of thunder and crashes of lightening...but,

as a baby.

helpless.

poor.

weak.

One of us.

Then, again, we push Him away.

We kill Him with our sinfulness.

He does not give up. He comes back to life. Sin could not win. Sin could not hold Him hostage. He breaks the bonds of sin, and death, and gains victory for all who trust in Him, Him alone to save and change them. He then leaves His presence to abide with His people forever in the Person of His Spirit.

Again we are able to permanently abide in His presence, and He with us because He wants to.

Intimacy.

Guidance.

Ongoing Communication.

Instruction.

Discipline.

Relationship.

Provision.

Everything a Father is expected to have with His children.

Thank You, ABBA.