Questions & Some Answers...

As I read through Genesis 2-5, I seemed to have more questions than anything else and some observations as well.

My mistake, it isn't until this chapter that the 7th day is mentioned, rest, sweet rest! God blessed the 7th day and made it holy, because he rested from ALL that He had done. I am tired after 20 minutes of playing dress up, sampling food from Katie's play kitchen, or explaining a board game to Katie, so I can't even imagine creating for 6 days straight. I just love that God blessed that day of rest...because he also saw that this was good!

As I continued reading through Chapter 2, a description of Adam's creation unfolds, but what is most striking to me is the creation of the Garden of Eden and surrounding territories. My challenge to some of my artistic friends would be to draw the Garden of Eden and it's surrounding territories with their respective rivers(4 of them), since drawing/art is not one of my talents/gifts I will not be attempting to draw this. However I would be intrigued by how my friend perceive this passage of scripture and their interpretations of the landscape.

Finally, I loved the phrase "hold fast" in verse 24, which means "stick to firmly." I think as our small group ladies dive into Captivating it brings to light the uniqueness and core of our being, and that is to be united with our husbands as one flesh, stuck to firmly forever. I can finally tell Kris, muhahaha see you're stuck to me now...it's biblical! (I just couldn't help myself!)

Chapter 3, oh the fall, the fall, oh my! I imagine each and every person has their own idea of what really transpired that day, or wondered what was truly going through the minds of all parties involved (Adam, Eve, the serpent, God). So I'll always wonder, was Adam truly standing beside her the whole time, listening to the conversation between the serpent and Eve...or was he just nearby...or maybe the serpent and Eve exchanged words quietly? In this case, it was at this moment that we chose to have a choice, to know good and evil. When we choose there are ALWAYS consequences (good and bad). Ultimately, God expels both Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, not necessarily because they don't deserve to be in such a lush, beautiful place, but more so (based on my reading)to keep them away from the Tree of Life. As much as I'd like to blame Adam and Eve for everything, I'd have to say that if put in the same situation I don't know that things would be any different nor would the outcome be any better!

Chapter 4 - Cain & Abel, siblings will be siblings I suppose, but this was sibling RIVALRY at it's core. Really the only burning question I had reading this was: What was really wrong with Cain's offering? Cain was created to work the ground, as such it was only fitting that he would bring fruit before God. Abel was created to tend to the livestock, so the gifts/offerings that they brought before Him were according to their trade and purpose. I began looking at commentary regarding the offerings they brought, and my human nature tells me that I would react much the same as Cain to God's rejection of my offering. I don't think that Cain worked any less in gathering his offering for God, but rather it was the way and what was offered to God. Most commentaries will note that Abel brought the firstfruits of his labor, "the best" of what he had and offered that to God. It is then suggested that Cain made his offering but it was not "the best." Even in the very beginning, I think God was after man's heart now that one could choose good over evil. We all know how this turned out.

And the dreaded genealogy begins...dun, dun, DUN!!!!!! I was and am worried about what is to come with all the begetting of sons and daughters, but I look at it with the mindset that there must be a reason. The word that brings genealogy into perspective for me is lineage...we long to know the "royal priesthood" which we belong to.

Okay, now get ready for some questions...I have discussed one or two with my hubby, but the rest...it's just too much! Cain having settled in Nod and taken a wife, they had a son, Enoch...and almost 4 generations later Lamech was born. Now what is the deal with Lamech, he took 2 wives, Adah & Zillah? Why is Lamech different here that he would have 2 wives? Lamech also confesses to his wives that he has killed a young man and that his revenge is seventy-sevenfold...that's some major revenge. I have to wonder, what were the circumstances between Lamech and this young man? What drove Lamech to this confession? What ever happened to Lamech? his wives?

The conclusion of Chapter 4 is highlighted by the birth of Seth to Adam & Eve, to replace their deceased son Abel, and then ends with the people beginning to turn to the Lord. What was their motivation for turning to the Lord at this time? Is it Lamech's startling confession that people begin to realize their own sinful nature?

Chapter 5, just one question before I finish this LONG post...What if any is the significance of the names mentioned in this chapter? There were obviously other sons and daughters born, so why is this one name mentioned above the others? Okay...I've had some discussion about this and will share those thoughts with you at a later time. Thanks for reading and being a blessing to me!