Cohabitation with God

394 cohabitation with godIm 2. In the th century AD, Marcion proposed that the Old Testament (OT) be abolished. He had put together his own version of the New Testament (NT) with the help of the Gospel of Luke and some Pauline letters, but removed all quotations from the OT because he believed that the God of OT was not of great importance; he is only the tribal god of Israel. Because of the spread of this view, Marcion was expelled from the church fellowship. The early church then began to compile its own canon of scriptures, consisting of the four gospels and all of Paul's letters. The Church also kept the OT as part of the Bible, firmly convinced that its content helps us to 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 (John 5,39; Luke 24,27) and we would do well to hear what they have to say to us. They also reveal what the greater purpose of human existence is and why Jesus came to save us. The Old and New Testaments testify that God wants to live in communion 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

Im 1. The book of Moses describes how an almighty God created the universe simply by naming things. God said, "Let there be, and it was so." He gave the order and it just happened. In contrast, reports this 2. Chapter from the 1. Book of Moses about a god who got his hands dirty. He entered his creation and formed a man out of earth, plants trees in the garden and made 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 that 3. Chapter from the 1. The Book of Moses reports a tragic development, as it also shows more of God's longing for people. After people sinned for the first time, God walked through the garden just as he usually did (Genesis 3,8). Almighty God had taken the form of a human and his footsteps could be heard. He could have just appeared out of nowhere if he had wanted to, but he had chosen to meet the man and the woman in a human way. Obviously it didn't surprise her; God will have walked with them through the garden and talked to them many times.

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 the woman what had happened and they answered. He then explained to them what the consequences of their actions would be. Then he provided clothing (Genesis 3,21) and made sure that they did not have to remain in their estranged state and shame forever (Genesis 3,22-23). From Genesis we learn of God's conversations with Cain, Noah, Abram, Hagar, Abimelech and others. Of particular importance to us is the promise God made to Abraham: “I will set up my covenant between me and you and your descendants for generations to come, for an everlasting covenant” (Genesis 1 Cor7,1-8th). God promised that he would have a permanent relationship with his people.

The election of a people

Many know the main features of the story of the exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt: God called Moses, brought plagues on Egypt, led Israel through the Red Sea to Mount Sinai and gave them the Ten Commandments there. We often overlook why God did all this. God said to Moses, "I will take you among my people, and I will be your God" (Exod 6,7). God wanted to establish a personal relationship. Personal contracts such as marriages were made at that time with the words, "You will be my wife and I will be your husband". Adoptions (usually for inheritance purposes) 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 to serve me" (Exodus 4,22-23). The people of Israel were his children - his family - endowed with vomit.

God offered his people a covenant that allowed direct access to them (2. Moses 19,5-6) – but the people asked Moses: “You talk to us, we want to hear; but don't let God speak to us, or we might die” (Exodus 2:20,19). Like Adam and Eve, she was overcome by fear. Moses climbed the mountain to receive more instructions from God (Exodus 2 Cor4,19). Then follow various chapters on the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the ordinances of worship. 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" (Exodus 2 Cor5,8).

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 where God dwelt with and had access to His people. God said to Moses, "I will dwell among the Israelites, and be their God, that they may know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, to dwell among them" (Exodus 29,45-46).

When God gave leadership to Joshua, he commanded Moses what to say to him: "The Lord your God himself will go with you, and will not turn away his hand, nor forsake you" (5. Moses 31,6-8th). That promise applies to us today too (Hebrews 13,5). This is the reason why God created mankind right from the start and sent Jesus to our salvation: We are his people. He wants to live with us.    

by Michael Morrison


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