Dictionary of Bible Themes Close relationships are part of God's will for human life. Scripture speaks of intimate relationships between Jesus Christ and the Father, between God and his people, and between various individuals. Matthew 11:27Jesus Christ's intimate relationship with his Father See also Matthew 3:17John 5:20; 10:30,38; 14:10-11; 17:21 pp Mk 1:11 pp Lk 3:22 John 17:3God's intimate relationship with his people See also 2 Chronicles 7:15-16"know" speaks of close personal relationship rather than theoretical or academic knowledge. Psalms 148:14Hosea 6:6 John 14:21; 15:4,15 Jeremiah 31:9 Images of God's desire for intimacy with his people See also God as a father Psalms 103:13Jeremiah 31:20 Hosea 11:1-4 Romans 8:15 1 John 3:1 Isaiah 62:5 See also God as a husband Isaiah 54:4-8Jeremiah 3:14 Hosea 2:19 Ephesians 5:25-27 Revelation 19:7; 21:2 Genesis 2:18 Intimate relationships between men and women See also As God's good purpose Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24Matthew 19:5 1 Corinthians 6:16 Ephesians 5:28,31 pp Mk 10:7 1 Timothy 4:3-4Genesis 29:20,30 Examples of such close relationships Ruth 4:13Jacob and Rachel: 1 Samuel 1:5,8Boaz and Ruth Esther 2:17Elkanah and Hannah: Songs 1:15-16Xerxes and Esther Solomon and his beloved Proverbs 18:24Intimacy in other relationships See also Close friendships commended Proverbs 17:17; 27:10Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 John 15:13 1 Samuel 18:1,3 Examples of close friendships David and Jonathan: 2 Kings 2:2,42 Timothy 1:16 Elijah and Elisha: Paul and Onesiphorus Genesis 37:3Examples of intimate family relationships Ruth 1:16Jacob and his son Joseph 2 Samuel 18:33Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi See also David and his son Absalom 1040 God, fatherhood1255 face of God 5680 family 5690 friends 5708 marriage 5730 orphans 5735 sexuality 5967 thrift 6754 union with Christ 8102 abiding in Christ 8136 knowing God, effects 8622 worship |
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