Genesis 6: All Commands Can Be Obeyed

When I think of all of the obedience that Noah gave to God for six centuries, and then all of the commandments he had to obey to get ready for the flood, I am truly humbled—but he did all of it, for the last verse of this reading says so (note Hebrews 11:7). Commandment-keeping has always been the only way to please God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 14:15; 15:14).

Genesis 5: Is Anyone Going to Walk with God?

Generations come and go in this chapter without a word regarding their spiritual decisions. Then we come to the “seventh from Adam” (Jude 4): Enoch. We do know what he chose. He walked with God, lived the shortest life in the chapter (365 years!), and did not have to suffer death. Meditate on this: What does it mean to “walk with God” (Hebrews 11:5; Jude 14-15)?

Genesis 4: How I Worship Matters!

 The first two brothers, Cain and Abel, took offerings to God in order to worship Him. Abel was accepted, and forever became known as one who did that which was “excellent” (Hebrews 11:4). Cain was rejected and became the beginner of “the way of Cain” (Jude 11). Abel’s true worship led to martyrdom and heaven; Cain’s false worship led to murder and a legacy of hate (1 John 3:12).

Genesis 3: Sin and the Law of Sowing and Reaping

The experience of sin cost Eve and Adam their innocence. The commission of sin cost them their fellowship with God. And the outgrowth of sin cost, too. Eve paid in childbearing consequences, Adam in the curse upon the earth, and both of them lost their first home. What a dark day! But when God spoke to the serpent, His promise of retribution to him and hope through the Seed of woman gave them cause to look to Him again.

Genesis 2: The First

The first rest was on the seventh day. God rested from all of His work—that is because the work was finished. When I rest, is it because I have done well? The first human being was made on day six. God had created much out of nothing, now He made Adam out of dust. Pretty humbling, isn’t it? But this man—and all other people—was also made in the image of God (1:26-27). The first garden is described using many words for the first time—knowledge, evil, Eden, dress, keep, commanded, freely, eat, not, die. These are key words throughout the Bible. The first woman was also made on day six. God chose to deal with Adam’s aloneness by making the perfect counterpart to him. 

  

Genesis 1: An Introduction to God

Let’s meditate on what God did in the beginning week. He created (vv. 1,21,27),  He moved (v. 2), He said (vv. 3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26,28-29), He saw (vv. 4,10,12,18,21,25,31), He divided (vv. 4,7), He called (vv. 5,5,8,10,10), He made (vv. 7,16,25), He set (v. 17), He blessed (vv.22,28)—and it was very good.

Idea behind this blog

The first thing I will be doing on this blog is called "Let's Meditate."  I am writing a devotional on every chapter of the Bible.  I hope to encourage Bible reading--not to encourage merely reading my devotionals!  The brief comments I am making are designed to get you to read the chapter from which the devo comes, and to look for more helpful thoughts as you read.  You might even want to comment on them.  We will soon place devos for all of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Matthew, Mark, and part of Numbers. Read as many chapters per day as you want.  I am writing up to nine of these every week. I began this right after Helen and I moved to Dresden, TN.  One of the members here asked me what my next writing project was, and I said I didn't know.  But he got me thinking and this project is the result of his question. It has been very rewarding so far.  I hope it will get you more attached to your Bible than you have ever been.