The way of worship of and fellowship with God was opened up only in the day of Moses through whom the Lord instituted the way to and from God that is the tabernacle / temple among his children. Yet it appears that in the day of Isaac the son of Abraham he already had access to God's person, as it is recorded that in the afternoon he went out to pray in the field. What is going on?
This is a deep and insightful question—one that probes the development of worship and access to God before and after the Mosaic covenant.
You're right: the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, were formalized institutions through which God's people were to approach Him under strict regulations established through Moses. But the story of Isaac going out to pray (Genesis 24:63), as well as earlier examples like Abraham building altars, or Enoch walking with God (Genesis 5:24), show that communion with God predates the Mosaic system. So how can this be understood?
1. Access to God Before the Law (Mosaic Covenant)
Before the Law was given through Moses (Exodus 19–20), there was no formal priesthood, no tabernacle, and no written code. But there was still:
Personal faith (e.g., Abraham believed God – Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3),
Sacrificial worship (e.g., Abel, Noah, Abraham built altars),
And prayerful relationship (e.g., Isaac meditating in the field).
These indicate that God made Himself available to individuals by grace through faith, even before there was an institutional system
2. The Role of the Tabernacle/Temple (From Moses Onward)
The tabernacle and later the temple were visible, communal, and regulated systems for a nation. The tabernacle represented:
God’s dwelling among His people (Exodus 25:8),
A specific, holy approach to Him through sacrifice and priesthood,
And an anticipation of greater access through the coming Messiah (Hebrews 9:8–10).
God, being holy, was drawing near without compromising His holiness—but on His terms.
3. What Isaac Was Doing in Genesis 24:63
Genesis 24:63 says:
> “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening…”
The word translated as "meditate" (שׂוּחַ – suach) can imply prayer, musing, or quiet reflection. In context, Isaac is likely praying—perhaps about the marriage being arranged for him.
This tells us that:
Isaac had a personal, prayerful relationship with God, even before the Law.
God was approachable through faith, not yet through the Mosaic institutions.
4. So What’s Going On?
Here’s the synthesis:
Fellowship with God was always available by grace through faith—from Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, to Isaac.
The Mosaic Law introduced a national system of structured worship—not because access was entirely new, but because God was forming a holy nation (Israel) and dwelling in their midst (a much riskier thing!).
Jesus, the final High Priest, would eventually fulfill and supersede the Mosaic system (Hebrews 10:19–22), restoring and expanding direct access to God for all nations.
So in short:
> Isaac’s prayerful communion shows that God was personally accessible to those of faith even before the Law. The Mosaic system formalized and regulated this for a people God was making His own, pointing forward to the perfect access through Christ.
Would you like a timeline comparing pre-Mosaic, Mosaic, and post-Messianic ways of worship and access to God?
Yes.
Here is a timeline comparing the stages of worship and access to God across the biblical narrative, from the time before Moses to after Jesus the Messiah:
🔹 1. Pre-Mosaic Era (Creation to Moses)
Key Figures: Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job
Timeframe: Genesis 1 – Exodus 19
Aspect Description
Means of Access Personal faith, prayer, altars, sacrifices
Worship Sites Altars built in open spaces or on hills (e.g., Abraham: Genesis 12:7-8)
Priesthood Patriarchs acted as priests of their own families (e.g., Job 1:5)
Revelation of God Direct speech, visions, angelic visits
Key Characteristic Informal, personal, faith-based relationship with God
Notable Verse "Enoch walked with God..." (Gen. 5:24); "Abraham believed God..." (Gen. 15:6)
---
🔹 2. Mosaic Era (Mount Sinai to Christ)
Key Figures: Moses, Aaron, prophets, priests, kings
Timeframe: Exodus 19 – Malachi; continuing through Gospels until Christ's death
Aspect Description
Means of Access Law, sacrifices, high priest mediation, ceremonial cleanness
Worship Sites Tabernacle → Temple in Jerusalem
Priesthood Levitical priests, with High Priest from Aaron’s line
Revelation of God Prophets, Torah, rituals, cloud/fire in the Tabernacle
Key Characteristic National, regulated, and holy; worship centered on blood atonement
Notable Verse "Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." (Ex. 25:8)
---
🔹 3. Messianic Fulfillment (After Jesus’ Death and Resurrection)
Key Figure: Jesus Christ
Timeframe: Acts – Revelation; current church age
Aspect Description
Means of Access Through faith in Jesus Christ, our High Priest (Heb. 4:14–16)
Worship Sites Wherever believers gather; our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit
Priesthood All believers are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9)
Revelation of God Through Jesus (John 14:9), the Holy Spirit, and the Scriptures
Key Characteristic Universal, spiritual access to God with boldness
Notable Verse "We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus." (Heb. 10:19)
---
🔹 Summary:
Era Access Mode Worship Focus Key Figure
Pre-Mosaic Personal faith Altars / open air Patriarchs
Mosaic Law, sacrifices Tabernacle / Temple Moses, Priests
Messianic (Now) Faith in Christ Spirit and truth Jesus, the Church
Would you like this in a printable chart or card form for study or sharing?
Here is a timeline comparing the stages of worship and access to God across the biblical narrative, from the time before Moses to after Jesus the Messiah:
🔹 1. Pre-Mosaic Era (Creation to Moses)
Key Figures: Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job
Timeframe: Genesis 1 – Exodus 19
Aspect Description
Means of Access Personal faith, prayer, altars, sacrifices
Worship Sites Altars built in open spaces or on hills (e.g., Abraham: Genesis 12:7-8)
Priesthood Patriarchs acted as priests of their own families (e.g., Job 1:5)
Revelation of God Direct speech, visions, angelic visits
Key Characteristic Informal, personal, faith-based relationship with God
Notable Verse "Enoch walked with God..." (Gen. 5:24); "Abraham believed God..." (Gen. 15:6)
---
🔹 2. Mosaic Era (Mount Sinai to Christ)
Key Figures: Moses, Aaron, prophets, priests, kings
Timeframe: Exodus 19 – Malachi; continuing through Gospels until Christ's death
Aspect Description
Means of Access Law, sacrifices, high priest mediation, ceremonial cleanness
Worship Sites Tabernacle → Temple in Jerusalem
Priesthood Levitical priests, with High Priest from Aaron’s line
Revelation of God Prophets, Torah, rituals, cloud/fire in the Tabernacle
Key Characteristic National, regulated, and holy; worship centered on blood atonement
Notable Verse "Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." (Ex. 25:8)
---
🔹 3. Messianic Fulfillment (After Jesus’ Death and Resurrection)
Key Figure: Jesus Christ
Timeframe: Acts – Revelation; current church age
Aspect Description
Means of Access Through faith in Jesus Christ, our High Priest (Heb. 4:14–16)
Worship Sites Wherever believers gather; our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit
Priesthood All believers are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9)
Revelation of God Through Jesus (John 14:9), the Holy Spirit, and the Scriptures
Key Characteristic Universal, spiritual access to God with boldness
Notable Verse "We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus." (Heb. 10:19)
---
🔹 Summary:
Era Access Mode Worship Focus Key Figure
Pre-Mosaic Personal faith Altars / open air Patriarchs
Mosaic Law, sacrifices Tabernacle / Temple Moses, Priests
Messianic (Now) Faith in Christ Spirit and truth Jesus, the Church
Would you like this in a printable chart or card form for study or sharing?
Given the discussion it appears that anyone (jews and gentiles) of present day of 21st century who believes in Jesus the Son being the Messiah, Savior has come to have direct personal face to face fellowship with God the Father in Jesus. Isn't it the case?
Yes—you are exactly right.
In the present age—the age after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ—anyone, whether Jew or Gentile, who believes in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and Savior, has been granted direct, personal fellowship with God the Father, in Jesus and through the Holy Spirit.
This is one of the core truths of the New Covenant. Let’s walk through it with Scripture:
---
🔹 1. Through Jesus, All Have Access to the Father
> “For through Him we both [Jews and Gentiles] have access in one Spirit to the Father.”
— Ephesians 2:18
This verse makes it plain: Jesus has torn down the dividing wall between peoples and opened the way for all who believe to approach the Father directly.
---
🔹 2. Jesus Is the Way to Personal Fellowship with the Father
> “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
— John 14:6
> “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”
— John 14:7
Jesus is not just a messenger of God—He is the manifestation of God. To know Him is to know the Father. To walk with Him is to walk with God.
---
🔹 3. Face-to-Face Fellowship Begins Now by Faith, Fully in the Future
While we don’t yet see God in the full, glorified sense ("face to face" as in ultimate glory), we are already in personal communion with Him:
> “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully…”
— 1 Corinthians 13:12
> “And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
— John 17:3
Knowing Jesus is knowing God. Eternal life starts now, in personal fellowship with the Father, and is fulfilled fully at Christ’s return.
---
🔹 4. We Have Boldness to Approach God
> “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…”
— Hebrews 4:16
> “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus...”
— Hebrews 10:19
No more barriers. No veil. No temple curtain. Access is open, not through our works, but through the finished work of Jesus.
---
✅ Conclusion
Yes—now, in the 21st century, anyone who believes in Jesus—no matter their background, race, or past—can live in real, personal, face-to-face fellowship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. This is not limited to a place (like a temple), a nation (like Israel), or a ritual (like sacrifice). It is a grace-based, Spirit-empowered relationship—now and forever.
Would you like a short statement of faith or prayer based on this truth?
Yes.
Yes—you are exactly right.
In the present age—the age after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ—anyone, whether Jew or Gentile, who believes in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and Savior, has been granted direct, personal fellowship with God the Father, in Jesus and through the Holy Spirit.
This is one of the core truths of the New Covenant. Let’s walk through it with Scripture:
---
🔹 1. Through Jesus, All Have Access to the Father
> “For through Him we both [Jews and Gentiles] have access in one Spirit to the Father.”
— Ephesians 2:18
This verse makes it plain: Jesus has torn down the dividing wall between peoples and opened the way for all who believe to approach the Father directly.
---
🔹 2. Jesus Is the Way to Personal Fellowship with the Father
> “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
— John 14:6
> “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”
— John 14:7
Jesus is not just a messenger of God—He is the manifestation of God. To know Him is to know the Father. To walk with Him is to walk with God.
🔹 3. Face-to-Face Fellowship Begins Now by Faith, Fully in the Future
While we don’t yet see God in the full, glorified sense ("face to face" as in ultimate glory), we are already in personal communion with Him:
> “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully…”
— 1 Corinthians 13:12
> “And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
— John 17:3
Knowing Jesus is knowing God. Eternal life starts now, in personal fellowship with the Father, and is fulfilled fully at Christ’s return.
🔹 4. We Have Boldness to Approach God
> “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…”
— Hebrews 4:16
> “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus...”
— Hebrews 10:19
No more barriers. No veil. No temple curtain. Access is open, not through our works, but through the finished work of Jesus.
---
✅ Conclusion
Yes—now, in the 21st century, anyone who believes in Jesus—no matter their background, race, or past—can live in real, personal, face-to-face fellowship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. This is not limited to a place (like a temple), a nation (like Israel), or a ritual (like sacrifice). It is a grace-based, Spirit-empowered relationship—now and forever.
Would you like a short statement of faith or prayer based on this truth?
Yes.
Here is a short statement of faith and prayer based on the truth of direct fellowship with God through Jesus Christ:
---
✨ Statement of Faith: Fellowship with the Father through Jesus
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world.
By His death and resurrection,
He has opened the way for me—
a sinner saved by grace—
to come boldly before God the Father.
I do not stand on my own merit,
but by the blood of Jesus,
I now walk in peace,
in love,
and in direct, personal fellowship with the Living God.
The Spirit of God dwells in me,
guiding me daily into truth and communion.
In Christ, I have seen the Father’s face,
and I rejoice in His eternal presence.
Amen.
🙏 Prayer: Drawing Near to God
Father in Heaven,
Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ,
who made the way for me to come near.
Through His blood, You have cleansed me,
adopted me, and called me Your child.
I come to You not in fear, but in faith—
not as a stranger, but as a beloved one.
Help me to abide in You every day,
to walk with You, talk with You,
and know You more deeply.
Let my heart never grow cold,
but always burn with the joy
of this fellowship I have with You,
through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amen.
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