Day 001 - Genesis 1-3

We start with what has become a divisive passage, with those that take it literally and those that take it figuratively. It's a pity because it has a lot to say about God and humanity and the relationships that spring from that reality, which are true whichever way you take it.

Our relationship to God, to each other (especially with the mention of marriage at the end of chapter 2), to the world around us and the plants and animals in it is all set up here. Our roles as caretakers of this world that God has given to us is at the same time awe inspiring and saddening as we consider the mess that we have made of it as a direct consequence of the events of chapter 3.

Humanity rebels against God and things, as they say, will never be the same again.

It's a depressing read, but there are glimmers of hope in the promise God gives that Eve's offspring will crush the serpent's head, the first foreshadowing of the Messiah is seen right here at the beginning.

It's very easy to read the story and get annoyed with Adam and Eve for being so foolish, but how often do we fall into the same trap. How often do we question God's goodness in the same way that the serpent did and as a consequence rebel against God? How often do we passively or even actively follow someone else into sin and then blame them for our failure?

The beginning of Genesis reminds us of our rightful purpose but also how easily we fall away from it.