As I read this passage, many things come to mind in regard to my own spiritual life. I'm going to skip over creation itself, because that has never been difficult for me to understand or believe. But what really spoke to me this time was the entrance of sin into the world. So often we have been angry with Adam and Eve for screwing up this life for us, but I never really stopped to wonder what it was like for them. They were deceived. They were lied to, and they believed it--and then acted on it. Ever happened to you? It has to me. But what jumped out to me this time was not what they did, but what they lost.
Within the Body of Christ are many differences today. Some say we can't worship with drums, or rhythm. Some say that we shouldn't use instruments at all. Or art, or dance, or raise our hands or...whatever. And these differences serve to divide us and make us less effective as a complete organism. I know what I believe about true worship, but I also know that I don't even have it right. Why? Because of sin. We can't worship completely and perfectly, because we are still a fallen race. We don't even know what it means to worship perfectly. To really walk with God. No one does. Well, almost no one. Adam and Eve are the only ones in the history of mankind to really know what was lost that day. Can you imagine how horrible that must have been to live with? We have no idea! Instead of condemning them for bringing us all down, why not mourn for them. We all lost something that day, and no one could know the extent of that loss like the ones who got us into this mess. But we do have hope that someday, when we see Him in all His Glory. We won't have to wonder what true worship is. We won't know any other way. I ache for that moment.
Here's something else. In case you haven't heard, I must share this. The Bible is what is called the Written Word of God. Later, in John, Jesus is called the Living Word. No coincidence here, okay? Everything in the Bible, Old and New Testaments, points to Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. He is the written word acted (and lived) out. And the idea of needing a Savior starts way back here in Genesis. Remember how God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or they shall surely die? Well, they ate it, and they didn't die...so what did God mean? Did he change his mind?
Some say that it was a spiritual death, because they were separated from God, and that is what death is. True. Some say that it was an eventual death because they would no longer be able to eat from the tree of life and live forever. Also true. But don't miss this:
In Chapter 3, verses 12 and 13, both Adam and Eve confessed their sin. (Even though they blamed someone else!) In verse 21, God makes clothing for them out of animal skins. Where did he get these skins? Did the animal give them up willingly, and continue to live its life without them? Uh, not likely. We'll find out later that the only way to restore communion with God after sin is through the shedding of blood. But just because he hadn't made the announcement yet, didn't mean that it wasn't yet true. Adam and Eve deserved death for their sin. But God so loved them, that he let an innocent take their place. Sound familiar? Yep, even the very beginning of Genesis is setting the stage for what is to come. And it only gets more exciting from here, y'all.
Next time: Genesis 4-6
Missed the intro to this study? Click here!
I"m reading Randy Alcorn's book called Heaven and it's been really good so far. My perception of heaven has been a bit fuzzy but the more I read about what the Bible has to say about it (and the absense of sin) the more excited I get about eternity! If you ever get the chance to read again you sould pick it up. It has short sections perfect for nap-time.
Posted by: Jon & Erin Woodard | July 28, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Anna! It's so crazy that you're talking about this because I just read the most incredible take on Genesis in Donald Miller's "Searching For God Knows What." He talks about how God noticed that Adam was lonely and was going to give him a helpmate but He made him name all of the animals first. Miller points out that even if you believe in evolution, there were between 10 and 50 millions species at the time of the Garden, so imagine how long that took him to name all of those animals! Probably about 100 years. And the entire time, he was lonely!
Miller says, "In order to cause [Adam} to appreciate the gift of companionship, God had him hang out with chimps for a hundred years. It's quite beautiful, really. God directed Adam's steps so that when He created Eve, Adam would have the utmost appreciation, respect, and gratitude."
He goes on to say, "And then I thought how beautiful it was that God made Adam work for so long because there is now way, after a hundred years of being alone, looking for somebody whom you could connect with in your soul, that you would take advantage of a woman once you met one."
Miller points out that God makes us wait for things. He did it with the very first human He created. And he talks about how even in the presence of God, Adam was lonely. Which means that when we are lonely, it doesn't make us crazy. Because God wants us to be in relation with one another. Of course, it says it much more eloquently, but anyway.....
I'm excited about this Bible study!
Love you!
Posted by: Elizabeth Beach | July 28, 2008 at 11:06 PM