Girl Read Your BibleShembull

The book of Genesis sets the stage for the rest of the Bible. It's known as the "book of beginnings", as it lays the foundation of the Bible by starting with the words"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (1:1)." Genesis opens by painting us a beautiful picture of how God created the world. Out of emptiness and darkness, God created something He called"good". We get to see our Creator speak nothing into something and within this first chapter, we begin to get a glimpse into the character and nature of God. God is the only uncreated being, and it's through His power that the entire world was created. He is the eternal God who always has been and will be. The account of creation is an essential message of the entire Bible. It gives us clarity and understanding of God as our Creator, why and how the world was created, and what caused the fall of man. God created the world in six days. On the first day, He created light and darkness (1:3-5). On day two, He created the water and sky (1:6–8), and on day three, He created the sea and land (1:9–13). In the next three days, what God had formed, He now filled and populated. On day four, He created the sun, moon, and stars (1:14–19). On day five, He created the birds and fish (1:20–23). On day six, He created animals and humans (1:24–31), and on the seventh day, He rested (2:1–3), blessing that day and declaring it holy. It was the day meant to be set apart and dedicated to God (Sabbath Rest), which we'll be learning more about as we read through the Pentateuch.

Everything was good. In fact, God called it"very good" (1:31). Now, I know you've probably heard the story of Adam and Eve before, even if this is your first time reading through Genesis. Adam and Eve were the first humans. By chapter 2, they were both created and living in complete fellowship with God, living the good life. God had given them one command to follow:"...You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden - except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you are sure to die (2:16–17)". Adam and Eve had one command to obey, but as quickly as God gave the command in chapter 2, in chapter 3, they had already disobeyed Him. Eve allowed the serpent (satan) to make her doubt and question God's Word, which is a tactic satan often uses to put doubt and confusion in our minds about God."Did God really say that?", "Oh, no, that won't really happen if you do that." He made her believe there were no consequences for her disobedience. He made God out to be a liar, manipulating and twisting His Word. He convinced her that what God had forbidden was good, and she wanted the pleasure she thought it would give her; she wanted to be like God (3:5). And Adam, who was right there with her, didn't even attempt to stop her, but joined in, ate the fruit, and willfully disobeyed God.

That's how the first sin entered the world, and what they once enjoyed as unbroken fellowship with God was no more. Because of their sin, they now experienced separation from God and were under a curse (3:16–19). In chapter 2 verse 17, God said if they ate the fruit from the tree, they would die, but it wasn't an immediate physical death but a spiritual one. They were banished from the Garden of Eden and from the freedom of living in God's presence. The serpent, man, and woman are all cursed (3:14–19), but in verse 15, scholars have said this to be a prophecy of Jesus' victory and defeat over satan, which will be later fulfilled. Even in God's discipline, there's still a light at the end of the tunnel; all hope is not lost. As we continue to read through the story of Scripture, we'll see God's story of redemption unfold.