Many people who begin reading the Bible never finish. I guess that’s understandable since it’s a big book—about 1,000 pages, and it’s ancient—2,000 to 3,000 years old.
Is there a way for us to understand the Bible without reading the whole thing?
I think so. Thematic threads run through the Bible and some are especially thick. The theme of God-with-us is just such a thread. In this 5-part series, I will highlight that theme beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation.
Adam and Eve
You probably know what it sounds like when a family member walks in the house because you’ve heard it many times. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve hear the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden. How often did God walk in the garden? We don’t know, but it was enough for Adam and Eve to be familiar with the sound of his walk.
Why was God in the garden near Adam and Eve? Genesis doesn’t tell us, but it’s obvious that God wanted to be close to the humans he created. He didn’t create them only to observe them from a distance. His plan was to be involved in their lives. Why? Was God needy and looking for companionship? No, God is love and God wanted to hang out with Adam and Eve out of love for them, not out of a need in his heart. He wanted them to have the deepest and most fulfilling lives and he knew they needed him to have that.
Enoch and Noah
Although the first humans plunged themselves into rebellion against their Creator, God’s desire to be with them remained the same. A few chapters later, we see God walking with Enoch and Noah, showing that it was still possible to have an intimate relationship with God (Genesis 5:24; 6:9).
Can you remember a time when you walked with someone and shared intimate things with each other? Imagine walking with God. God did not leave humanity after we turned away from him. As Paul states, “he is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:27).
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
God’s presence in Genesis continues with Israel’s patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who lived about four thousand years ago.
- In Genesis 21, Abimelek tells Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do” (v. 22).
- When Isaac was in Beersheba the Lord appears to him and says, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you” (26:24).
- In Genesis 28, Jacob has a dream of a staircase reaching to heaven. While angels were ascending and descending the staircase, the Lord stands above it and says “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go” (v. 15).
Joseph
Finally, in the book of Genesis we meet Jacob’s son, Joseph. Genesis 39 emphasizes God’s presence with Joseph.
- “The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered” (v. 2),
- “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him” (v. 21), and
- “the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did” (v. 23).
God’s presence gave Joseph success and favor, but it did not keep him out of trouble. Joseph was falsely accused and sentenced to prison for about a decade and during that time God was with him.
Soon after Joseph was freed, he became one of the rulers of Egypt. And he provided for his family who sought refuge from a famine in Canaan. Before Joseph’s father died, he spoke to Joseph and said, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers” (Gen. 48:21). The you in that verse is plural, so Jacob (also called Israel) was saying that God would be with the people of Israel and they would return to Canaan.
Conclusion
The God of Genesis wanted to be near the first humans and after they rejected him, his desire to be with them remained the same. Genesis shows us a God who was with Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, in both their good and bad times.
*This reflection is a part of The Heart of Scripture: God with Us.
After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. For a deep dive into church history and the character of God, see my book Surprised by Hell.
Came across your site via your Paul Income post, which I appreciated. I was working on a post explaining the Old Testament tithing system, which led me here. It’s good to see thoughtful consideration of Paul’s ministry examples and what that means for pastors, missionaries, etc. today.
The example of Enoch is very interesting. It’s clear that the fall did not consist of completely falling from knowledge of God, knowing how to please Him and to walk with Him. Not only was there still knowledge of God, there was also the ability to act on that knowledge in relating to God. God’s interaction with Cain, also shows the continued interaction with humanity.
There has to be so much about these earliest years of humanity not directly addressed by scripture and now forgotten. Truths we’ll learn after this life.