OF the attributes ascribed to Deity, omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience, though all three are infinite to the enlightened thought, omnipresence perhaps seems to be most dear to the human heart. This is easily explained when we see that a realization of the omnipresence of God would bring with it the realization of the omnipotence and omniscience that belong to Deity; also, that the understanding of God's omnipresence includes a very direct denial of reality or presence to matter, so that even a faint recognition of God's omnipresence sets aside material beliefs or laws. Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 308), "The Soul-inspired patriarchs heard the voice of Truth, and talked with God as consciously as man talks with man." To them the sense of God's presence came with great conviction; so that out of the experiences in which God was plainly manifested to them, grew the history of humanity's spiritual unfoldment.
The constant prayer of Moses was a desire for the manifestation of God. This desire was answered in many wonderful ways; yet Moses was not content. At last God gave him this promise: "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." God could not have given him more than this, for the promise included all good. Herewith Moses was satisfied. The outcome of this promise was a desire to build the tabernacle in the wilderness, which was to reassure God's people that the Lord was in their midst. It was to be a symbol of rejoicing that God was with His people. Some who interpret the Scriptures literally are puzzled by the story of Moses' tabernacle, declaring, indeed, that it was never built, since all trace of it was lost after Joshua began his leadership. But does it matter whether or not this tabernacle was ever a material structure? For if the lesson of God's presence, which it was intended to teach, was brought home to the children of Israel, its purpose was accomplished.
The central idea of the tabernacle was the Holy of Holies, where God was said to be manifested. It was the same, later on, in Solomon's temple, showing that David and Solomon both had a clear sense of God's omnipresence. The Israelites as a whole, however, did not readily grasp the higher or spiritual meaning of the Holy of Holies, so they clung to idolatry; which simply meant that they were so steeped in materiality that Spirit's presence was not accepted by them. As a consequence, they were forced into the Babylonian captivity, which not only exposed to them the folly of all idolatry but awakened them to take a stand for the fact of God's omnipotence and omnipresence, even when they were dwelling in the land of the enemies of their God. When the lesson had been learned that the presence and power of God could be demonstrated in Babylonia as well as in Judea, the captivity ended, and the temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem. Here, in later years, came the climax of the lessons of the ages, even the life and work of Christ Jesus.
