Good afternoon, everybody!Today we are launching into the events that happen after the fall of humanity. I just wanted to post a few thoughts for today's readings.
1) The first thing to notice is what Eve says when she gives birth to her firstborn - and this is the first birth in history - she says, "I have conceived a male child with the help of the Lord." The amazing thing about this is that, even though the world had been marred by sin, God allows humans to take part in the miracle of creation, specifically the creation of human life. What a gift from God we have that we should never misuse or abuse in the conception and bearing of children.
2) Now, once the boys grow up, they become farmers, and they make offerings to God (the first such listed in Scripture). This is crucial, because we see at the root of worship is offering of ourselves to God (Rom. 12:1). When they do offer these things, God rejects Cain's offering while He accepts Abel's offering. Why? Well, from one perspective, it does sound like the Almighty is in need of some parenting skills. However, the reality is that, if you look carefully, you'll find out why God rejected Cain's offering: The Bible says that Abel offered the best and the choicest of what he had; these details are strangely absent for Cain. In other words, Cain is rejected because God knew He could do better, while Abel is commended for giving the best he could. When and where do we fail to give of our best to God? Could we be doing a better job of this?
2) Notice the similarities to what happens after Adam and Eve eat of the fruit. First, God shows up and says, "Where is your brother, Abel?" Rabbi Fohrman points out that the Hebrew word for where here is the more specific form of "where" in Hebrew, which is used to ask not just generally where something is, but "Why is it not here?" Much like God asks of Adam and Eve "Where are you?" meaning, "Why aren't you where you're supposed to be?" so God asks Cain, "What happened to your brother Abel?" Notice also that when asked, after giving a smart answer, Cain realizes the extent of his sin, and states that he will hide himself from God. It is a reminder that sin isolates us from God. Like Adam and Eve, Cain is also exiled to be a "wanderer through the land." Finally, like Adam, Cain is reminded that the land is cursed because of him, and eventually, his lineage would die off. Does this resemble the after-effects of sin in your life? As Christians, how do we deal with the guilt and brokenness that our sin causes?
3) The genealogies: We often are tempted to think these are irrelevant. The truth is that they were important for Jews to trace their lineage back, not just for status, but to remind them that they are a part of the covenant with God through their birth. For us as Christians, they serve as a reminder that Jesus is, as a descendent of the patriarchs, the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, the redemption of God's holy people, and the one through whom we Gentiles have been adopted into the household of God. So, don't get bogged down in these - instead marvel at the way God called generation upon generation to be his chosen people.
4) Increasing wickedness: This seems to be a huge problem in the early Genesis account. The more that the story progresses, the worse human beings get, and the more screwed up they have become. But in God's grace, Noah finds favor with the Lord, and God uses him to save humanity from total destruction and judgment. As I'll talk about tomorrow, this story has many parallels with Christian baptism that will come out later. But the reality is that no matter how much humanity plunges into the pits of sin, God works to redeem His faithful people and to lead them out of destruction. It does not mean that God condones human sin, but rather that God "works for the Good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28).
I'd be curious if anyone else has any thoughts they'd like to share from today's reading. Leave comments if you do.
God bless you today!
In Christ,
Nathan
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