Created for Intimate Relationship With Your Creator

There is an adversary who does not want you to experience intimacy with your Creator. He uses both bad and good things to keep you from spending time with Him.

It should sober us how successful we can appear apart from intimacy with God. Are you experiencing intimacy with Him daily?

Genesis 1–2 tells us the story of creation. First, read Genesis 1:1-3 and 1:26-27. Then flip to Genesis 2:5-15, which gives a parallel account. God described His crown jewel of creation—us—showing we were created for intimate relationship with Him.

Notice the closeness between man, woman, and God. In Genesis 1:24-25, creatures are created “according to their kinds,” but with humans, the language changes: “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The word “image” was used of idols that represented gods or kings (2 Kings 11:18; Daniel 3). We are not little gods, but when we honor another human being, we honor God Himself (1 Peter 2). “Let us make” is deeply personal.

In Genesis 2:6, God breathes life into man’s nostrils—sharing His breath. In verses 28 and 30, He blesses and provides everything in creation. In verse 31, He calls it “very good.” Unlike anything else in creation, we were formed for a personal and intimate relationship with Him.

Genesis 1–2 shows man and woman living in this intimacy until sin enters, breaking their trust and severing the relationship. In Genesis 3:24, the word “placed” (“shakan” in Hebrew) means “to dwell.”

In Exodus, God begins to restore this intimacy by establishing the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8). The same word “dwell” appears again. The tabernacle is like a little Eden:

• Eden: “And God said…” appears seven times; then God rests on the Sabbath.

• Tabernacle: “The Lord said…” appears seven times; then Sabbath instructions follow.

• Eden: God walks in the garden (Genesis 3:8).

• Tabernacle: “I will walk among you…” (Leviticus 26:11–12).

• Eden: Filled with gold, bdellium, and onyx (Genesis 2:10–12).

• Tabernacle: Gold, bdellium, and onyx appear (Exodus 28:6–13; Exodus 16:33; Numbers 11:7).

• Eden: The tree of life (Genesis 2:9).

• Tabernacle: A lampstand shaped like a tree (Exodus 25:31–40).

• Eden: Eastward entrance with cherubim guarding (Genesis 3:24).

• Tabernacle: Eastward entrance with cherubim around the mercy seat (Numbers 3:38; Exodus 25:18–19).

God’s instructions intentionally reflected Eden—a place where He dwelled with His people.

Adam himself is described as a priest. Genesis 2:15’s “work” and “keep” are later used of priests serving in the tabernacle (Numbers 18:7). Priests wore gold and onyx and bore “Holy to the Lord” on their foreheads, set apart for closeness with God. Adam was made to dwell with God in Eden.

In Genesis 3:21, after Adam and Eve sinned, God provided a sacrifice to cover them. On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest wore specific linen garments (Leviticus 16:4). The word for “coat” matches “garment” in Genesis 3:21. In Leviticus 16:23, Aaron removes his garments and leaves them there—an annual reminder of humanity’s need for atonement to dwell with God.

This is our story: created for intimacy with God, yet separated by sin. In trials, suffering, disease, death, and even mental health struggles, we feel the rupture. But the story does not end there.

John 1:1–3 takes us back to creation. In John 1:14, the word “dwell” reappears—Jesus is the true tabernacle. When we see Him, we see God’s glory. Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3), Emmanuel—God with us.

• Jesus is the temple (John 2).

• The spring of water (John 4; John 7).

• The manna (John 6).

• The lampstand (John 8).

• The tree of life (John 11).

• The Great High Priest (John 17).

In John 18:1, we see another garden—Gethsemane. In Eden, Adam said, “My will, not Yours.” In Gethsemane, the perfect Man said, “Not My will but Yours.” In John 19:30-31, as soon as the Creator finishes His work of redemption, it is Sabbath.

John 20:3-7 notes the linen cloths three times—folded up. In John 20:11-12, two angels flank the scene, just like the cherubim over the mercy seat. Jesus, the perfect High Priest, entered the Most Holy Place, offered His own blood, and left His sacrificial clothes behind forever—no more sacrifice needed.

In John 20:14-16, Mary mistakes Him for the gardener. In John 20:21-22, Jesus breathes on His disciples as God did in Genesis 2, giving them new life—the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

God wants intimacy with you so deeply that He comes to dwell within you. Your body is His temple.

Here are four takeaways we should have when seeking intimacy with God:

1. Find your dignity in intimacy with God.

Reject the adversary’s lie that you are not enough. You are God’s prized possession. True dignity is received from Him, not achieved by you.

2. Find your delight in intimacy with God.

Success, approval, and even good gifts cannot satisfy. Come to Jesus, not to get things, but to get Jesus.

3. Spend your day in intimacy with God.

The busier we get, the less time we give Him. We check our phones 96 times a day. It’s not a lack of time but misdirected time. Read 2 Corinthians 3:17-18—“We become like what we behold.” Gaze upon God, not just glance at Him.

4. Experience your destiny in intimacy with God.

John 20:21–22 sends us out. Acts 1:8 calls us to lead others to Him. Revelation 5:9, 21:3-4, and 22:1-5 show us our future: dwelling with Him, seeing His face, living in His light forever.

This is what you were made for—an intimate, eternal relationship with your Creator. Don’t settle for less.