Genesis 3:1-24, 4:1-7.
Genesis is one of the most controversial books in the Bible. What has God to offer us in this book? Stories about the Creation, the Flood, etc. ? More than stories. God's account of "how things began" from the Greek word "Genesis". The very name speaks of its clear message to us, the Book of Beginnings.
The Book of Beginnings is not a scientific book and does not set itself out to be so, though it contains many scientific and historical facts. It does not try to justify God's existence. One of its most pointed themes starts very early in its account of God's dealings with man-a question, 'Where are you?'. The same question is directed to every human being today.
The setting of the Book of Genesis begins with the Garden of Eden, a special place where God has placed His created human being to look after it and enjoy fellowship with God. It was a perfect place.
However, let's go back a bit further and look at what God was doing. On the sixth day, when God finished His creation, He looked and saw that everything He had done was found perfect 'in His eyes'. A perfect creation from the hands of a Perfect Creator. Whatever God does is always perfect, very different from man's doings who always tries to find fault with God's doings. God's timing and methods are always perfect. In His dealings with us He always works to bring the best for us out of every situation.
The man and the woman were created perfect and God breathed into Adam the Breath of Life. Both became living souls, both created in God's image. In ch.1, we read that God (Elohim) expressed the desire to create human beings.Why?
Here we see God's motive in creating man. God who is Love wants to have Fellowship and though He knew what was to come yet He went ahead with the plan-1 John 4:16. How foolish the unbeliever would say, why do such a thing? Does a woman who longs to have a child sit down and consider whether the baby she will bring into the world will one day become a criminal? No, she loves that little creature, her offspring, and she nurtures it in love and care all her life.
God created the man and the woman and placed them in that special place for a specific purpose, not to enjoy themselves; but to have fellowship with God, to be loved by Him and to return that love. Was it in the end a failure, was it a rewarding experience for God or was it a waste of time?
Let us ask ourselves. Is love a rewarding experience? Yes it is; no matter what failure or disappointment may intervene. The Cross proved that God's creation was worth it.
Genesis is one of the most controversial books in the Bible. What has God to offer us in this book? Stories about the Creation, the Flood, etc. ? More than stories. God's account of "how things began" from the Greek word "Genesis". The very name speaks of its clear message to us, the Book of Beginnings.
The Book of Beginnings is not a scientific book and does not set itself out to be so, though it contains many scientific and historical facts. It does not try to justify God's existence. One of its most pointed themes starts very early in its account of God's dealings with man-a question, 'Where are you?'. The same question is directed to every human being today.
The setting of the Book of Genesis begins with the Garden of Eden, a special place where God has placed His created human being to look after it and enjoy fellowship with God. It was a perfect place.
However, let's go back a bit further and look at what God was doing. On the sixth day, when God finished His creation, He looked and saw that everything He had done was found perfect 'in His eyes'. A perfect creation from the hands of a Perfect Creator. Whatever God does is always perfect, very different from man's doings who always tries to find fault with God's doings. God's timing and methods are always perfect. In His dealings with us He always works to bring the best for us out of every situation.
The man and the woman were created perfect and God breathed into Adam the Breath of Life. Both became living souls, both created in God's image. In ch.1, we read that God (Elohim) expressed the desire to create human beings.Why?
Here we see God's motive in creating man. God who is Love wants to have Fellowship and though He knew what was to come yet He went ahead with the plan-1 John 4:16. How foolish the unbeliever would say, why do such a thing? Does a woman who longs to have a child sit down and consider whether the baby she will bring into the world will one day become a criminal? No, she loves that little creature, her offspring, and she nurtures it in love and care all her life.
God created the man and the woman and placed them in that special place for a specific purpose, not to enjoy themselves; but to have fellowship with God, to be loved by Him and to return that love. Was it in the end a failure, was it a rewarding experience for God or was it a waste of time?
Let us ask ourselves. Is love a rewarding experience? Yes it is; no matter what failure or disappointment may intervene. The Cross proved that God's creation was worth it.
to be continued
