Cohabitation with God
In the 2nd century AD, Marcion proposed abolishing the Old Testament. He had compiled his own version of the New Testament using the Gospel of Luke and some of Paul's epistles, but removed all quotations from the Old Testament because he believed the God of the Old Testament was not of great importance; he was merely the tribal god of Israel. For disseminating this view, Marcion was excommunicated from the Church. The early Church then began to compile its own canon of scriptures, consisting of the four Gospels and all of Paul's epistles. The Church also retained the Old Testament as part of the Bible, firmly believing that its content helps us understand who Jesus was and what he did for our salvation.
For many, the Old Testament is quite confusing - so unlike the NT. The long history and the many wars do not seem to have much to do with Jesus or the Christian life of our time. On the one hand there are the commandments and statutes to be observed in the OT and on the other hand it seems that Jesus and Paul completely deviate from it. On the one hand we read about ancient Judaism and on the other hand it is about Christianity.
There are denominations that take the OT more seriously than other denominations; they keep the Sabbath as the "seventh day", observe the dietary laws of the Israelites and even celebrate some of the Jewish festivals. Other Christians do not read the Old Testament at all and are more like the Marcion mentioned at the beginning. Some Christians are even anti-Semitic. Unfortunately, when the Nazis ruled Germany, this attitude was supported by churches. This has also been shown in the antipathy towards the OT and the Jews.
Nevertheless, the writings of the Old Testament contain statements about Jesus Christ. (Joh 5,39; Lk 24,27)And we would do well to listen to what they have to say to us. Furthermore, they reveal the higher purpose of human existence and why Jesus came to save us. Both the Old and New Testaments testify that God desires to live in fellowship with us. From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, God's goal is for us to live in harmony with him.
In the garden of Eden
The Book of Genesis describes how an almighty God created the universe simply by naming things. God said, "Let there be," and it was so. He gave the command, and it simply happened. In contrast, the second chapter of Genesis tells of a God who got his hands dirty. He entered into his creation and formed a man from the earth, planted trees in the garden, and fashioned a companion for the man.
None of the transcript gives us a complete picture of what is happening, but different aspects of one and the same God can be seen. Although he had the power to do everything through his word, he decided to intervene personally in the creation of the people. He talked to Adam, brought the animals to him and arranged everything so that it would be a pleasure for him to have a companion around him.
Although the third chapter of Genesis recounts a tragic development, it also reveals more about God's longing for humanity. After humanity had sinned for the first time, God walked through the garden as he normally would. (1 Mose 3,8)Almighty God had taken on human form, and his footsteps could be heard. He could have simply appeared out of nowhere if he had wished, but he had chosen to meet the man and woman in a human way. This obviously did not surprise them; God had likely walked through the garden with them and spoken to them many times before.
So far, they knew no fear, but now she overcame the fear and they hid. Although they avoided the relationship with God, God did not. He could have retired angrily, but he did not give up his creatures. There were no twitching flashes of thunder or else an expression of divine wrath.
God asked the man and woman what had happened, and they answered. He then explained the consequences they would face for their actions. Then he provided them with clothing. (1 Mose 3,21)...and ensured that they did not have to remain in their state of alienation and shame forever. (1 Mose 3,22-23)From the first book of Moses, we learn of God's conversations with Cain, Noah, Abram, Hagar, Abimelech, and others. Of particular importance for us is the promise God made to Abraham: "I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants throughout all generations, for an everlasting covenant." (1 Mose 17,1-8)God promised that he would have a lasting relationship with his people.
The election of a people
Many know the basic story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt: God called Moses, brought plagues upon Egypt, led Israel through the Red Sea to Mount Sinai, and gave them the Ten Commandments there. However, we often overlook why God did all this. God said to Moses, "I will take you as my people and be your God." (2 Mose 6,7)God wanted to establish a personal relationship. Personal contracts like marriages were made in those days with the words, “You will be my wife and I will be your husband.” Adoptions (usually for the purpose of inheritance) were sealed with the words, “You will be my son and I will be your father.” When Moses spoke to Pharaoh, he quoted God as saying, “Israel is my firstborn son; and I command you to let my son go, that he may serve me.” (2 Mose 4,22-23)The members of the people of Israel were his children – his family – endowed with inheritance rights.
God offered his people a covenant that allowed direct access to him. (2. Mose 19,5-6) – but the people urged Moses: “Speak to us, we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we might die.” (2 Mose 20,19)Like Adam and Eve, she was overcome with fear. Moses climbed the mountain to receive further instructions from God. (2 Mose 24,19)Then follow various chapters about the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the worship services. Amidst all these details, we should not overlook the purpose of it all: “They shall make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” (2 Mose 25,8).
From the Garden of Eden, through the promises to Abraham, through the election of a people from slavery, and even into eternity, God desires to live in fellowship with his people. The tabernacle was the place where God dwelt among his people and where they had access to him. God spoke to Moses: “I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God, so that they may know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt to live among them.” (2 Mose 29,45-46).
When God gave Joshua the leadership, he commanded Moses what to say to him: “The Lord your God will go with you; he will not leave you nor forsake you.” (5. Mose 31,6-8)This promise also applies to us today. (Hebr 13,5)This is why God created humankind right at the beginning and sent Jesus for our salvation: We are his people. He wants to live with us.
by Michael Morrison
