God’s Story Is Our Story: From Genesis To JesusSample

Reflecting on the last week of reading: Genesis 1-2 tells the story of God creating the universe by his word. He creates three realms (night/day, sky/sea, the land) and fills them with creatures who rule them (moon/sun, birds/fish, and animals). The crown of creation are creatures made in God’s own image: man and woman. He gives them the mission of ruling over all creation as he would. This mission will take more than two people, so God blessed their ability to “be fruitful and multiply.” He intends that they will, collectively, fill the world with God’s living image (themselves), as they spread God’s loving reign across the whole face of the earth. He calls them to cultivate the earth’s potential, to tame its wild places, and create cultural beauty. All of this is done in loving partnership with their creator king: God himself. But this mission barely gets underway when tragedy strikes. In Genesis 3-11, creation unravels after Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God. Adam and Eve redefine good and evil. Their descendants spread violence and injustice over the face of the earth. But God refuses to give up. He promises an “offspring” who will come to crush the mysterious serpent. He shows grace to Cain. He saves the human race (and the animals) from extinction during the flood. Nonetheless, every gracious intervention is met with further evil (murder, polygamy, violence, drunkenness, pride). These chapters leave us wondering, again and again, which will win out: human rebellion or God’s grace?