Intimacy In Eden

INTIMACY in EDEN

The Hebrew word Eden (עֵדֶן, ʿēden) is associated with delight, pleasure, abundance, and delightfulness. The phrase Garden of Eden can therefore be understood as the Garden of Delight.

"The LORD God planted a garden in Eden..."— Genesis 2:8

In one sense, God planted a garden in the place of delight.

This gives fresh meaning to the invitation found in Psalm 37:

"Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."— Psalm 37:4

As I have reflected on this, another thought has emerged.

Adam and Eve were not simply placed in the Garden of Delight. Perhaps they themselves were God's delight within His garden. They were made from the dust of the earth, after all, so that thought is certainly worth pondering.

The garden was the setting, but the relationship was always the treasure. God's desire was never centred on a place, but on a people who would walk with Him in unhindered fellowship.

Through Christ, that invitation remains. He is not merely calling us back to a garden. He is calling us into the intimacy for which we were created, where His delight is found in a people who abide in Him.

The deepest delight was never simply the beauty of the garden. It was the presence of God walking with His people in intimate relationship.

"Eden is intimacy with God in His people. There we find delight."