NAKEDNESS AND INTIMACY

GENESIS 2:19–25

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

(Genesis 2:25)

Although we have gone through a sexual revolution in the latter part of the twentieth century, and nudity has become more acceptable than it was previously, the fundamental fact has not changed that people do not normally like to be seen naked. Many years ago, when running naked through a public area was practiced occasionally on college campuses, this activity was called “streaking,” not “strolling.” Despite occasional nudity on beaches, there has been no diminution in the sale of shower curtains.

Nakedness involves exposure. It allows people to see us intimately, exposing our faults. We don’t want people to get to know us too well because we don’t want them to discover our secret sins. Thus, we erect barriers to intimacy—and that is a good thing by and large: We should be glad we don’t know all the horrid details about our friends and acquaintances.

Psychologically, physical nakedness and clothing are linked with these social forms of intimacy and social barriers. It is a sign of abnormality when a person is willing to expose himself or herself in public.

The Bible tells us that in the institution of marriage, we can be naked with one other person, be “one flesh” with that person. This is the human relationship that has the greatest intimacy. We can relax more fully with our spouse, who knows more about us than anyone else, except God.

No wonder, then, that our relationship with Christ is called a marriage. God knows us completely. He knows our most intimate secrets. We are completely naked and open before Him, and when we confess sins and “bare our souls,” we are acknowledging that intimacy. This is partly why personal confession of sins is often the opening to our closest fellowship with God.

Because marriage involves nakedness and intimacy, it is dangerous. Spouses have great potential for hurting each another. Divorce is traumatic because when a spouse leaves, it means that the person who knows someone best has rejected them. How grateful we should be when our spouse, who indeed does know us best, sticks with us. It must be the grace of God.

CORAM DEO

1 Samuel 20–21 Psalms 34; 52

Coram Deo is Latin for “before God’s face.” How does this phrase tie in with today’s lesson? Put into practice today’s lesson in your personal prayer, consciously exposing yourself before God, baring your soul, and asking Him to search your heart. You will find that it leads to a closer walk with Him.

For further study: Gen. 9:18–29 • Song of Songs 4 • 1 Cor. 6:15–20

tuesday

march