From the opening of time, God’s Spirit was shaping the destiny of creation. This is not only witnessed in the account of Moses when he declares, “the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water” (Gen. 1:2b), it is also witnessed in the psalms of David. Under inspiration from the Lord, he writes, “When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the surface of the ground” (Ps. 104:30).
Yet, the sons and daughters would not continue to fellowship with their gracious heavenly Father. They turned away from His goodness and grace, losing access to His glory. God began to decry: “My Spirit will not always strive with man, for he is flesh” (Gen. 6:3). Flesh and blood had fallen tragically short of the glory.
Nevertheless, from the moment sin entered the hearts of men, there was a longing for a return of the Shekinah. We witness an intense longing in the oracles of the prophets.
