I really like the book of Genesis, because it shows us the Lord’s intentions when he created and structured the world. Genesis reveals to us that God created man in his image: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him” Genesis 1:27. The term “image” means “like or similar appearance.” Just before, in verse 26, another word accompanies the term image: “likeness.” “Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness!” » Genesis 1.26.

Similar appearance is sometimes equated with likeness, but biblical commentators suggest that the former refers more to outward resemblance or external form. In many passages of the Bible we read that God has hands and feet.

When John describes it in Revelation, he says: “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a written book…” Revelation 5:1. On the other hand, the resemblance evokes more the internal substance, in other words the spirit and the intellect.

Here it is important to note that God does not provide us with any description of Adam’s physical appearance. This detail is completely left out. However, he tells us a point that we seem to ignore, but which must be important to him. He says, “Both the man and the woman were naked…” Genesis 2:25.

Among all that God could have specified about their appearance, he chose nudity. This proves to us that this factor must have been decisive regarding our relationship with him. We must remember that as Adam and Eve were created in the image and likeness of God, their lives expressed and demonstrated divine will or desire. In a way, they acted in the image and likeness of the Lord. For example, their romantic relationship matched God’s desire for a wife, as Paul explained to the Ephesians:

“Therefore a man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two will become one. This mystery is great, and I say this in relation to Christ and to the Church” Ephesians 5:31.

The relationship of Adam and Eve therefore prophetically represented that of Christ and his Church. Through her, God was teaching us how this relationship would ultimately be. Now let’s take a closer look at an important detail mentioned in the Bible in relation to their relationship:
“Both the man and the woman were naked…” Genesis 2:25. As this detail is the only one mentioned, it certainly implies that this factor was essential to the essence of their relationship.
“Both of their eyes were opened, and they realized that they were naked. They tied fig leaves together and made themselves belts” Genesis 3:7.

To take a closer look at the importance of nudity in their relationship, let’s consider the significance of the discussion they had with the Lord after they sinned:

“He said, I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked. So I hid.” The Lord God said, “Who revealed to you that you were naked? Have you eaten the fruit of the tree that I forbade you to eat?” » GENESIS 3.10-11.

This whole discussion revolves around the nudity of Adam and Eve! the explains this to you to show you that nudity is essential for God in order to better understand our relationship with him. As Adam and Eve’s relationship prophetically represented that of Christ and the Church, nudity is crucial to entering into a relationship with Jesus.

Let’s define this term “nudity”. According to the Free dictionary, it is the “total absence of clothing; naked bodies.” It is also the “absence of everything that prevents us from being seen or discovered”. This definition teaches us that in the context of our holy romantic relationship with Jesus, He does not want there to be any obstacle to prevent us from discovering Him. He wants our relationship with him to be without veil or obstacle; he wants it to have no gray area; he wants it to be perfectly transparent.
In other words, he desires to be completely seen. In Hosea, God says:

“I will betroth you to me forever.” I will espouse you to Me in righteousness and righteousness and kindness and compassion; I will espouse you to Me in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD” Hosea 2:21-22.

God says, “I will betroth you to me forever,” which will allow us to know him more, as the end of the passage tells us. He then describes what he will show her. In fact, he reveals his character, as Moses discovered in Exodus 34:6-7. In other words, the wife has the immense privilege of being able to know, contemplate her Lord and see God. He wants to show her his glory and beauty without any reservation.

This text is an extract from the book “Contemplation (The Revolution of the Lovers of God vol. 3)” written by Samuel KAMUANGA.

We invite you to read the following article “HOW TO SEE IN MIND“.

SEE GOD