Genesis 3:1-5

Confusion and uncertainty, conditions that seem part and parcel of human experience. Sadly we discover the origins of these in verse one. We are not told at this stage why and how Satan is found in the garden. I also do not feel I have grasped whether references to serpents are allegorical or not. Whether or not argument about these points is futile, I will leave for others to comment. However what seems to be of great significance is the method of the enemy's attack. His first move is to distort what God said. His quizzical assault on God's only command began to create uncertainty in Eve's mind. His manner of questioning manipulated the truth leading Eve to doubt the instructions she had received.

We have already seen that God's Word created the world and it now becomes clear in the events that follow this verse that God's Word sustains the world. The enemy is strategic and professional in his execution as he seeks to undermine this Word. Nothing has changed and today the written word, which reveals to us the Living Word, is either scrutinized until we can't work out what it is saying or marginalised until we have forgotten its message. Faith in the simple revelation that comes through the Holy Spirit is essential. In the body of Christ we must be on guard as the enemy seeks to force us to academically scrutinize or liberally marginalise the very life breath of our existence. His Word sustains the world.

Genesis 2:20-24

So far in the first two chapters of Genesis we have been introduced to the pillars of God's kingdom on earth; a world with the creator God at the centre of it; a creature-creator relationship; God and man both at work; a time to rest; a prosperous place to live and now we are shown the final pillar of a perfect world - the family. It is interesting to reflect on how those pillars face constant attack in our world.

God's design and purpose for marriage and sexuality is explicitly revealed in this foundational passage. God sought a 'helper' for man, but amongst all the animal world one could not be found. God had given Adam dominion over the animals and clearly this type of relationship was not meeting Adam's needs. Adam needed a 'partner', an equal, someone like him. So God got to work again and this time took from the very flesh and bone of Adam to create woman. The relationship was different from Adam's relationship with the rest of creation - now there was someone who was like him. The tone of passage is not one in which woman is a subject of man or of man being superior to woman, rather it is full of mystery and respect. Mystery in the sense that this woman had come out of man and respect in the response of Adam to the discovery of his equal.

v24 presents us with the model for marriage. Firstly we learn that marriage is intended to follow a particular transition in our lives - the time when we have matured and are ready to leave the security of our family homes. Marriage and sexual intimacy should be reserved until we are ready for the responsibility that accompanies it. Secondly we are shown that marriage is synonymous with permanence. The man is to cling to his wife. It would be interesting to clarify the meaning of the word cling - for me it suggests that at times that state of permanence will require determination and persistence to ensure it is maintained. Finally we are reminded that this relationship is unique - it transcends beyond the intimacy of a friendship and is consummated through sexual union. The outward expression of the state of permanence you have entered into is expressed in 'becoming one flesh'. This phrase seems to be alive with meaning that extends beyond just physically intimacy. It suggests the weaving together of two lives in a way that is inseparable – physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially.

The context for sex has been set – a man and a woman, a permanent relationship and the complete integration of two lives. Those conditions are most certainly under challenge today and when you consider the results of our rejection of this wisdom it screams at us to return to God’s design.

Genesis 2

I had been obsessing over the details of Genesis 2. I was searching for the meaning behind all the stones and rivers and other specifics that are mentioned. Finally it dawned on me that most important thing to grasp from this passage is not the secret meaning hidden in these symbols but simply that the land God had made was abundently prosperous. This place that God has created was lavished with wealth and beauty - it was a paradise - a place that abounded with goodness. This simple message sets the scene for the following chapters and drives home the important truth that a God centred world was a good world. We do not read about famine, there is no mention of death or disease, there are no harrowing stories of war or family break up. The only thing that was missing from this magnificant creation was 'women' and God responded to Adam's need for an equal with great providence. This paradise was now complete.

v16-17
I've never read the manual for a new electrical good or piece of technology because they are usually far too long and onerous. At the beginning of Adam's story God did not sit him down with a 400 page operational instruction manual for life. In fact there was simply just one command that was passed onto him in person. One rule was given to ensure that paradise remained that way. This is contrary to many people's perception of God - 'oh he is all rules and regulations' they claim. Actually God gave Adam the freedom to enjoy the garden in all the ways he could find. This garden was his adventure, a place to explore, dicover and appreciate. God's intention was never to dominate, control, opress and restrict us rather he intended to give us great freedom in the context of a loving relationship with him.

v18-20
This freedom was expressed in God's delegation of responsiblity for the world. Adam was given the task of naming all the extravagent things God had created. We pay thousands of pounds today to travel to see elephants, giraffes and cats but Adam's job was to wander round the garden and decided what all of these things would be called. This is the first introduction we have to world of work. You can't help imagine what would have happened if Eve had been on the stage at this point - husband and wife trying to agree what to name everything in the world - God waited a while to ensure the job got done! Work was a gift from God that introduced puspose and meaning into life.