How God Relates to Us
Helping Hand
In previous posts we have talked about some of God’s innate characteristics, specifically khesed (a type of unconditional love) and emeth (or truthfulness). Now, let’s look at another one of his traits. It arises from another combination of three Hebrew letters. The first is yud (י) which has a pictogram of a hand or strong arm meaning might, dalet (ד) which we saw earlier having a pictogram of a door representing opportunity, and ayin (ע) which has a pictograph of an eye which represents insight or knowing. These letters form the Hebrew word yada (יָדַע) which, from the pictographs, conveys a sense of mighty insight into us through the door of our heart.
Yada is mentioned 695 times in scripture. It is a word representing God’s innate relational character. Therefore, it seems God considers his relationship with us very important. It is translated into the English words know, made known, perceive, recognize, or to be intimate. This intimacy could be either physical or spiritual.
The equivalent Greek word for yada is ginosko (γινώσκω) which is mentioned 222 times in scripture. Again, this number of usages reveals the significance God places on relationships, whether us with him or us with each other. The word can mean intellectual acquaintance or understanding, but often implies personal, relational knowledge—such as knowing God intimately or intimate human relationships.
The first time yada is used in Scripture is found in Genesis 4:9 where Adam and Even become intimate: The man knew (yada) Eve his wife. She conceived and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with Yahweh’s help.” This is an intimate level of knowing someone. It is a physical manifestation of how deep of a spiritual relationship God desires with us.
God desires intimate connections. God said to Abraham: “For I have chosen (yada) him [i.e., Abraham], so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him (Gn 18:19). Here, the word “chosen” means more than just chosen. Abraham knows God at an intimate level and, therefore, God knows Abraham will follow the instructions given to him.
The psalmist said, He [God] says, “Be still, and know (yada) that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Ps 46:10). Here again, the word “know” is more than what we think about when we say know. It is more of an intimate spiritual connection, not a causal one.
Hosea said the following: Let us acknowledge (yada) the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge (yada) him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth (Ho 6:3). Again, this is more than acknowledge, it is knowing him on an intimate level. He wants us to know him on a level that best friends know each other having a rapport that goes to understanding each other at their very core. We can do this because we can be certain of his character and his response to us. Just as certain as the coming rains so is God’s care and concern for us.
In the New Testament, ginosko is used for the Hebrew meaning of yada. While also emphasized in the Old Testament, the New Testament is clear that acts of service do not replace intimacy. Jesus said the following as reported by Matthew: Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew (ginosko) you. Away from me, your evildoers!” (Mt 7:21-23). It’s not that Christ did not know them but had no intimate connection with them. God is the one who performs miracles not the one who is used as a vessel by God to do the miracle. It seems these individuals were saying that their works made them acceptable, but Jesus is saying works do not indicate an intimate relationship exists—only spending time with him does.
Jesus also said: I am the good shepherd, I know (ginosko) my own, and I’m known (ginosko) by my own; even as the Father knows (ginosko) me, and I know (ginosko) the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep (Jn 10:14-15). Just as the intimacy of how Christ the Son and God the Father are in a relationship with each other, that is the level of intimacy he wants with us as well.
This reveals how personable God is, or desires to be, with us. The only inhibitor to achieve this is ourselves. Treat him as a friend and spend quality time with him.
Next time, we’ll talk about how our response should be to God wanting to know us. I hope you join me.
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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens