Google defines relationship as the way two or more people are connected or committed to each other or one another. This means the person considers the other in decision making be it big one or small decision.
In essence, the biblical relationship between God and man means a close connection between God and man.
In every relationship, there are special things to consider, such as respect, boundaries, trust and support. Based on these, one can comfortably argues that the Bible is actually all about relationship with God and man.
The first instance of the relationship between and man is found in the creation story in the Bible (Genesis). It started in the garden of Eden. In Genesis 1:26-28, 2:24, we get the first glimpse into God’s purpose for mankind and his purpose for a relationship. God created man in his own image and likeness, gave him dominion over the earth. This shows God’s trust in man. It shows that God wants to establish his kingdom on earth through man.
The relationship of God and man was very good and God was visiting them in the garden. God provided the basic needs of man and gave everything in the care of man.
Like in every relationship, at a point, the relationship between God and man became sour when man disobeyed God. God got angry and punished man for his disobedience. He was asked to tilt the ground and the pains in childbirth for the woman. God drove them out of the garden. Even at that, God still cared for man because he said: “your descendants will strike the head of the serpent”(Genesis 3:15). Here, one realizes that even when God is angry with man, he does not abandon man. What other relationship could be sweeter than this?
Another instance of a relationship is seen in the story of Cain and Abel (Gen 4) when Cain killed his brother Abel and God asked Cain “where is your brother Abel? It shows how God loves and cares for the well being of man and even for the sinner because further reading revealed that God regardless, protected Cain when he said anyone who killed Cain will be punished. God is also a God for the sinner and his mercy abounds.
Again, everything went bad, the human race became wicked and evil spread. God in his humanness, punished the world with a flood but there was another relationship with Noah because God found him upright and so he spared Noah and his family so that he could restore the world through them (cf Gen 6). God made a covenant with Noah never to destroy the world with flood and so, God put a bow in the clouds as a sign of promise.
In Genesis 12, Abraham was called to be a father of many nations. This also is a relationship God established with man. God blessed Abraham with descendants. When Abraham was 99years, God made a covenant with him to circumcise all male children as the sign of the covenant or a relationship. Further reading in Gen 35 will reveal another instance of a relationship where Jacob, son of Isaac, encountered God, struggled with God and was blessed by God at Bethel. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. This shows that when there is a relationship between God and a person, that person is transformed instantly. God blessed humanity through Israel (Jacob) with twelve tribes.
One can also argue that there was yet another relationship between God and man through Moses in the book of Exodus 3ff where God called Moses to free his people from Egypt. God never stops supporting and caring for man. God endowed Moses with miraculous powers to enable him safe his people he created. After Moses rescued the Israelites from Egypt, God made a covenant with the people through the ten commandments which he gave through Moses. From the beginning of the article, I made mentioned of boundaries as an essential thing in every relationship. God wanted his people to respect him by obeying his commandments so that he will continue to be their God and they his people.
From here, many prophets and kings were chosen by God to keep guard and watch over his people. God has always been interested in the affairs of man. He has always cared, protected and fed them. God in the old testament through his servant David, the last but not the least to established a relationship with God, God was pleased with David and so he chose him to rule over his people and to protect them from their enemies. God’s love and commitment for his people.
In the New Testament, we continue to enjoy a wonderful relationship with God but in a new way. The new testament is fulfilment of the old testament. In the new testament, one cannot doubt the relationship between God and mankind without faithfulness and love which is the hallmark in every relationship. There is no greater love then for one to lay down his life for the friend and that is what Jesus did (cf John 15:13). In the old testament, God had a relationship through various ways and means but in the new testament, God had a more direct relationship through his son Jesus Christ with man. A relationship started immediately God sent his son into the world in the form of human nature ( Phil 2:6-11). There can never be a relationship without sacrifice.
Jesus accepted humiliation and death for the sake of man whom he loves so much. In essence, the whole of the new testament is about the fulfilment of the old testament that God promised to liberate man from the shackles of death. He died on the cross for the sin of man once and for all so that man might be free from sin and death.
In conclusion, one can comfortably and trustingly argue the fact that, the whole Bible is all about a strong relationship between God and man.
By Sr. Emmanuella N. Dakurah, HHCJ
