The Bible is a big book. Really big. Actually, as I shared the first week of this series, it’s not even A BOOK. It’s 66 books written by 40 different people over 1600 years. But don’t be intimidated by it. God has given us this book because it will change our lives. This series is hopefully one that will help tie together the various parts of the Bible that you have read.
One story. One God who wants to have a relationship with you. We looked at the story of creation first. Read Genesis 1-4 to catch up on this story.
God created everything we see in the universe. Sun & moon, earth & sky, all the plants & animals… Then he made man & woman to be special—they were made in his own image. They were the only creatures that were capable of a relationship with Him, and that’s what God desired.
He saw his creation and said it was very good.
He gave Adam & Eve a garden paradise & said to them “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the entire creation I have made….”
He made a covenant with them—a sacred promise through relationship—to provide for everything they need.
He said, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
Unfortunately our story takes a turn for the worse. Adam & Eve both give in to temptation, disobey God, and take the forbidden fruit. This brings a curse on the entire creation, creating a constant struggle for survival… the ultimate result of which will always be death.
The loving relationship with God is broken. Then Adam & Eve’s first child Cain, killed his younger brother Able and murder came into the world for the first time. Wickedness continued to increase as mankind filled the earth for 1500 years.
Then beginning in Genesis 6 we see how God chose to destroy all of his creation and start over. He started over with one man, Noah, and his family… and two of every animal. Noah found favor in God’s eyes, but humanity has totally turned their back on God. Broken the relational covenant with God. But God still wanted a relationship. So after the flood, he extended a new covenant to mankind– “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth,” he said. And he promised never again to destroy the life he had created.
He was still seeking to be close to us. He IS still seeking to be close to us. He wants to be close to you. Today. Make room for Him, and you will never be the same.