Full Retreat
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? Psalm 139:7 NASB
Flee– “Basically bāraḥ means to go or pass through, and to flee or hurry. It occurs mostly in narratives, referring to flight from an enemy.”[1] But how can this be true in this psalm? Is God the enemy? Do we need to run away from Him? The linguistic evidence seems conclusive:
Almost all sixty-six uses of the verb refer to fleeing from an enemy, enemies, or a place. The first exodus is described as a “flight” from Egypt (Ex 24:5). Perhaps Isaiah’s command to the exiles “to flee” Babylon (48:20) was a rhetorical device to arouse the exiles to the new miraculous opportunity to go home and rebuild Jerusalem. In some instances the flight is to a person or place (e.g. I Sam 22:20).[2]
In this psalm, the context suggests that the poet tries to run from God but finds it impossible. God is, unfortunately, everywhere. We might wish to read this as a great comfort, consoled by the fact that God is always present, even in our worst situations. But this bends the poet’s words in the wrong direction. It is far more likely that his words are a complaining resignation. No matter how hard he tries, he just can’t escape the omniscience or omnipresence of God. And in this sense, God becomes the indomitable enemy. Frankly, we’re back in the Garden.
“He said, ‘I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself’” (Genesis 3:10). We discovered that this verse really says God’s voice comes from all directions at once.[3] It is not about a physical being walking around. It’s about the omnipresence of the voice. Adam is trapped in the same way as this poet. Everywhere he turns, God’s presence is there. Back to the Garden.
And in the Garden, God becomes the enemy. Adam blames God for the disobedient disaster. God issues judgment and punishment. God expels the man and the woman. The Garden is a story of disappointment and distress, followed by a life of struggle. How is God not the enemy here?
Perhaps you and I have experienced the worst of the Garden. We started out thinking it was Paradise, but we soon discovered our own frailties turned it into a prison where the divine warden watched our every move. Perhaps we lost it all and were expelled for our disobedience. Perhaps even now we can’t escape the long arm of divine law. But maybe, just for a second, we wish we could.
Topical Index: flee, bāraḥ, enemy, Adam Genesis 3:10, Psalm 139:7
[1]Kalland, E. S. (1999). 284 בָּרַח. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament(R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (131). Chicago: Moody Press.
[3]https://skipmoen.com/2017/10/grace-arrives/
The concept is huge! I wake up and You are there. Whether I acknowledge it or not, or whether I am aware of it (sense You) You are there. You never leave us or forsake us. As well as it being somewhat troubling it is also very comforting. Where can one find a place outside of His Presence. In a real sense we are actually living in God, like a giant God bubble! How safe and awesome!
What are the bushes sinners hide in? More sin.
In my life, to the extent I am agreeing with God, His presence is a comfort. To the extent (and in the places of my life) that I am still agreeing with sin, I experience the overwhelming urge to hide more – do more sin. David is clearly writing this psalm from a place of sin: from the bushes. No wonder we hear Adam’s voice in his!
I agree with you, Laurita. You nailed this one. And I am delighted this was so concisely written!
Agreed. .
“The Garden is a story of disappointment and distress, followed by a life of struggle. How is God not the enemy here?” In my humble opinion this post seemes to suggest a dark place in the psyche. One that forgets that God is the just, and loving creator of mankind. He did not make us to toy with us. He is not the cat and we his mouse. His aim is restoration, reconciliation and restored intimacy. Let us not forget that it was Adam’s choice to rebell from the grace and holiness in which he entered the garden. If we forget the foundational tenet that God is good and loving we slip into all sorts of dank and dark places.
” Perhaps even now we can’t escape the long arm of divine law. But maybe, just for a second, we wish we could.”
And what would a world without measure for measure recompense look like? I’m thinking something along the lines of non existent and if their was any existence, it would be so “hellish” as to be unfathomable. I may not like God’s persistent hand being heavy on me, but I thank Him for it. Job 13:15