There is a recurring phrase running through the Bible that forms a theme. The basic premise is that creation was originally made for God to dwell with men, which could happen because man was sinless. But when man sinned, it introduced a barrier that would need to be overcome. Then the history of God’s intervention is the process of providing cover and holiness so the problem of sin could be overcome. It’s an incredible story of Immanuel- God with us.
This could be filled in with so many more details and support, but I’ll leave it with basically (mostly) only the verses that use the specific wording.
In the initial creation, God dwelt with man.
“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.” Genesis 2:8
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day” Genesis 3:8
But after man sinned, he was driven from the presence of God
“So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.” Genesis 3:23
The bible then tells a story of how that will be overcome.
First God promises a covenant between himself and men.
“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:7
Then as he makes the nation of Israel into his own people, he establishes that his presence will be with them.
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8
But the condition for his dwelling place is that his people must be holy by following his law.
“So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.” Exodus 29:44-46
“3 If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, …. 11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” Lev 26:3,11-12
Then there is a promise of savior- whose name would be Immanuel- which in Hebrew means God with us.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
Then God lets them know that the covenant of the law wouldn’t last forever- he would make a new covenant that would install the law in their hearts.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33
Many nations beyond Israel would be joined in this promise.
“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.” Zechariah 2:10-11
Jesus, the promised Savior comes and explains that he, the Father, and the Holy Spirit would all dwell in those that would trust Him.
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” John 14:16-17
Paul writes that we are now a living temple, where God dwells:
“For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16
Peter echoes the same sentiment:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
And finally the culmination of God’s work- the restoration of the earth and the fellowship that was always meant to be- God dwelling among his people.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3