(Wow, there's a lot that can be said, but I must be brief)
Summaries:
The first story of creation (the seven days) in ch 1, the second story of creation (formation of man and woman) in ch 2. The fall of man in ch 3, followed by Cain, Abel, and Seth in ch 4.
Reflections:
"In the beginning, when God created..." Of these very first six words of Genesis, it's amazing how much I was struck by the word "when." It's as if this implies that it's not even a question that God created everything, but that the story must be told about this creation. Instead of simply saying "In the beginning, God created..." as it is commonly translated, it says "when God created..." and then goes on to tell about it. Not enough people can speak with such confidence in God's creation.
Chapter 2 shows the complementarity of man and woman from their creation. One was made from the other, for each other. And no other companion will do the same.
I also thought it was interesting how in chapter 3, upon looking at the forbidden tree, Eve saw that it was "good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom." Isn't it amazing how many things are so similar and yet lead us to sin? The tree itself was not evil, but to disobey God was the great sin.
Lastly, I liked seeing in the beginning of chapter 4 that Adam and Eve recognize that they were able to conceive a son "with the help of the lord." Oh, that we all would see it like this, and not give the glory to ourselves...
Quotes:
Gen 1:27 - "God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them."
Gen 2:23 - "(speaking about the woman) the man said: 'This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken.'"
Gen 3:15 - "I will put enmity between you (the serpent) and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at the heel."
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I'm gonna try and do this with you. I plan to comment with the verse that stuck out most to me.
ReplyDeleteI read Gen 1-4 at 11:30pm. Close to the deadline for the day, I know. Here's the verse that stuck out to me.
If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.
-Gen 4:7
I've wondered before: Why does it matter that Eve has come from Adam's side? It seems to run contrary to their complementry nature. Notice the narrative: Adam is with animals (who are different than him) and his is not satisfied. Then he is with the woman (who comes from his side) and all is well. The story seems to suggest that like-ness is the key to happiness. But Eve is not like him; she is woman, he is man. They are complementry, different. I don't know - maybe I'm making mountians out of molehills. But I never quite saw the point of her coming from his side...
ReplyDeleteHmm... interesting, Aaron. I always saw that as being like, meaning similar but different. If they were the same, that would not work. But like one another, they as similar enough to be united to each other, and different enough to complete one another.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, one man's mountain is another man's molehill. :)