The virgin’s Son was called Emmanuel. This name, “God with us,” in a sense summarizes the entire plan of redemption.
It would seem that Adam and Eve walked with God before their rebellion (Gen. 3:8). Enoch, the seventh from Adam, walked with God for three centuries before his translation (Gen. 5:22). Noah walked with God before the flood, and Abraham took advantage of God’s offer and walked before Him when he was 99 years old (Gen. 6:9; 17:1; 24:40). Isaac walked with the Lord (Gen. 48:15). God walked among the people of Israel (Lev. 26:12); before them (Deut. 1:30; Isa. 52:12); with them (Deut. 20:4; 31:6); and in their camp (Deut. 23:14). David also walked before God (1 Ki. 8:25; Ps. 56:13), and the people at times (2 Chron. 6:14; Mal. 3:14).
Can two walk together except they be agreed? This word agreed is used for betrothed (Ex. 21:8-9); and for a time appointed (Job 9:19). In Exodus, it is beautiful when used of the Lord meeting with His people, at the altar, the testimony, and the mercy seat.
It was God’s great yearning to be the God of Israel and to have them as His people. Jehovah promised Israel after they built the tabernacle that He would bless them lavishly if they obeyed (Lev. 26:3-11). The apex was that He would walk among them, He would be their God and they would be His people (v. 12). There were spasmodic efforts to walk with God, but this mutual relationship–their God, His people–was not mentioned again until the days of Hosea. Then the Lord reiterated His promise, to be fulfilled when Israel shall be restored (Hos. 2:23).
The captivity prophets repeated the assurance: Jeremiah seven times; Ezekiel six times. Zechariah also added two more references, making 17 times in all, in the Old Testament. This was God’s transcendent desire, a mutual relation with redeemed sinners. He would be their God; they would be His people.
The apostle Paul quoted from Hosea (Rom. 9:26) in connection with the restoration of Israel. He went back to Leviticus to show the blessing for believers today who walk in separation from this world (2 Cor. 6:16): their God, His people. The writer of Hebrews quoted from Jeremiah, to show the bounties of the new covenant (Heb. 8:10).
But John saw the new heaven and earth, and the new Jerusalem like a bride adorned for her husband. He heard a great voice proclaiming: “The tabernacle of God is with men; God will dwell with them; they shall be His people; God Himself shall be with them, and be their God!”
Then Alpha and Omega promised that the overcomer would inherit all things. “I will be his God, and he shall be My son” (Rev. 21:7).
But these words, “their God, my people,” are a claim as much as a promise. Clearly God wants men to be His people. He wants our fellowship, admiration, and adoration. What did He do to win so much? Better ask, What did He leave undone?
God the Son became a Man, by the unsearchable mystery of the Incarnation. God became the God-Man! He was identical with men, except He had no sinful nature. Yet He is not ashamed to call us brethren. The Word dwelt among men. He promised for those who keep His words that He and His Father would make their abode with them (Jn. 14:23).
God “created” and “made” man and woman, and “formed” man, (Gen. 1 & 2), but He “built” woman, (Gen. 2:22, Heb.). So the Son said that He would build His Church, literally, build a home. The Spirit described the Church of the redeemed as a building (same word), a habitation of God, His home (Eph. 2:21-22).
More intimately, Christ loved the Church as a man loves his bride. Christ gave Himself for His Bride, His life for our love. He is purifying her until the moment He will present her to Himself, without spot or blemish. A man cleaves to his wife, and the two are one flesh. So the Son yearns for this proximity, partly portrayed in the human realm. The Lord nourishes and cherishes the Church as His own body.
Still more intimately, we are His Body. At least a dozen times the Spirit uses this word–in Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Colossians, but especially Ephesians. Many members become one Body by the indwelling of God the Spirit.
But the most thrilling statement is in Ephesians 1:22-23. He is the Head, and the Church is His Body. Is that not enough? But the Spirit calls us the fullness of Him who fills all things. Was there something lacking in the plenitude of God? The Son created all things, sustains all things, fills all things. Yet His love for the Church is such that He is not complete without His Bride, His Body!…Language fails.
How can we respond? If God the Father and God the Son want our company, fellowship, appreciation, love, we can do nothing less than give Them our hearts. Prime time with the Father and the Son!
Our fellowship is with the Father and the Son (1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Jn. 1:3). This truth is not only positional and for the aeons, it is practical, here and now. The Lord’s aspiration for togetherness applies to our service. We have spoken of our walk with God. Think of our work: “Take My yoke upon you” (this requires nearness). We are workers together with God and depend on His promise: “Lo, I am with you always.”
It also applies to our warfare: “When thou goest out to battle…the Lord thy God is with thee.” Our battle is not literal, but real just the same. When arraigned before governors and kings, the Spirit of our Father will speak in us. When Paul was a prisoner, the Lord stood by him. When three Hebrew young men were in the fiery furnace, the Son of God was with them.
The Father seeks those who worship in Spirit and in truth. As sons, pure-washed priests, we can enter His presence at any time. This is His longing desire. The throne-room of the cosmos is only a prayer’s width away. It brings joy to that great Heart of Love when His beloved ones just lift up a word of true appreciation for what He is in Himself. This is more than prayer, and even more than praise. It is worship, because He is worthy, a thousand times worthy.
The primary time for joint worship and communion is when we meet to remember Him. The Lord promised to be with us, even with two or three. How then can some think that they have an option, to be present or not? He wants my presence. Say it is not a command. It is certainly the constraint of immeasurable love, far more coercive than Sinai.
God with us! In eternity, and every day.