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Happy New Year! You are invited to join us on the Chronological Bible in a Year journey in 2026!\u00a0<\/strong> Click on this link for more details and to sign up!\u00a0Or, you may be interested in joining us on the Bible in a Year (OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs daily) journey in 2026 and can sign up at this link:\u00a0www.bibleinayearblog.com<\/span>. Also, share this email\/website with a friend and invite them to join you!<\/span><\/p>\n Genesis 1:1-3:24<\/strong><\/span> Welcome to the beginning of our Chronological Bible journey in 2026! Today we begin the book of Genesis!<\/span><\/p>\n ~Genesis~<\/strong> Moses is the author\/compiler of the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch, or the books of the Law.\u00a0 It is believed that these five books were written by Moses during Israel\u2019s 40 years in the desert after the exodus from Egypt \u2013 which was likely between 1446 B.C. and 1406 B.C.\u00a0 The book of Genesis is foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible.\u00a0 It is a book of relationships \u2013 between God and his creation; between God and humans; and between humans themselves.\u00a0 In Genesis, God pledges his love and faithfulness to humans through covenants.\u00a0 It is a narrative that continually demonstrates faith.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In today\u2019s Genesis readings we read about the Creation account and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.\u00a0 There is so much happening in today\u2019s readings, that this daily blog will not do it all justice\u2026 A series of links with a great overview of the 6 literal 24 hour days of creation that I HIGHLY recommend you read is at AnswersInGenesis.org at this link.<\/strong> Check out some great information on the Creation account in our Genesis readings today at bible.org at this link. <\/span>Below is a wonderful piece of art from Pat Marvenko Smith titled \u201cThe Creation\u201d \u2013 you\u2019ll note this piece shows all 6 days of creation and what was created on each day, going from the left to the right:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Today we read this incredibly powerful verse in Genesis chapter 1 verse 27: \u201cSo God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe that you are made in the image of God?\u00a0 Is this a powerful thing to reflect upon? What might this mean for your life this new year, knowing that you are made in the image of God? Does this give you a sense of possibility for your life?\u00a0 A sense that you are made for a great purpose in this life?<\/span><\/p>\n Chapter 2 verse 3 is beautiful: \u201cAnd God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 A day of rest.\u00a0 One day a week.\u00a0 If God did this, think we should too?\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 \u00a06 days of work and play and 1 day each week of resting in God.\u00a0 I confess I like the concept a lot more than I actually put it into practice.\u00a0 Perhaps this can be a year of new beginnings where a Sabbath day of rest enters our lives each week?\u00a0 How are you doing on taking a Sabbath? I love this image below of God resting on the 7th day:<\/span><\/p>\n One quick note from our readings today about the location of the Garden of Eden.\u00a0 It is believed to have been near where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers meet, in what is now southern Iraq.\u00a0 Below is a very high level map:<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 titled \u201cThe Meaning of Man: His Duty and His Delight\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n In Genesis chapter 3 we read about The Fall.\u00a0 Chapter 3 is a foundational chapter of the Bible to understand.\u00a0 From this chapter our history goes forward with sin passed on to every man and woman through the seed of Adam.\u00a0 This sets the stage for God\u2019s pursuit of men and women in Genesis, followed by the Exodus from Egypt, the Laws, the judges, the kings, the prophets \u2013 and ultimately the final solution to the Fall: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (ultra-Cliff Notes version here\u2026 you\u2019ll get the full version of all of this over the next 364 days\u2026 \ud83d\ude42 It is through belief in Jesus as Messiah\u00a0that we are saved from what began here in Genesis chapter 3.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In verses 1 through 4 in today\u2019s readings we are first introduced to the devil in the Bible, who clothes himself as a snake.\u00a0 The devil is often referred to as the \u201cgreat deceiver\u201d, and in this chapter you can see why.\u00a0 I think an important thing for us to realize today is that the devil continues to work in our world.\u00a0 He continues to deceive men and women.\u00a0 And, unfortunately, he is good at what he does.\u00a0 I have a hunch that probably a few people reading this blog do not believe in the existence of the devil.\u00a0 I will admit that early in my Christian walk, I did not believe in the devil\u2019s existence.\u00a0 However \u2013 thankfully, I was discipled by a godly man who counseled me through Bible passages that prove his existence \u2013 chapter 3 of Genesis certainly being one.\u00a0 In fact, one interesting thing my friend said to me at this early stage of my Christian walk was this \u2013 \u201cThe devil\u2019s greatest trick is to make you think that he does not exist.\u201d This is a very powerful statement.\u00a0 Please consider it.\u00a0 Why would this be his greatest trick?\u00a0 Because if you believe there is no devil, then you may believe there is no evil, and you then may believe that there is really no sin or nothing you can do wrong, and then you may come to believe that there is no moral code.\u00a0 You see the slippery slope of not acknowledging and realizing the existence of the devil and evil?\u00a0 I hesitated to post up this picture below \u2013 I really don\u2019t like it at all \u2013 but I think it\u2019s appropriate for this conversation.\u00a0 It reminded me of the temptation of our modern day addictions \u2013 like pornography or drugs etc. \u2013 the apple perhaps looks tasty at first glance, but you can\u2019t bite the apple without getting bit by the snake and getting poisoned\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n The other problem of not realizing the existence of the devil or evil is that you can more easily be tempted and enslaved to bad habits and sins.\u00a0 So \u2013 I know I\u2019m going on quite a bit here about this point \u2013 I just want to encourage you to ask yourself \u2013 do you believe in the existence of the devil?\u00a0 Do you believe in the existence of evil?\u00a0 Of temptation?\u00a0 Of sin?\u00a0 There is a remedy and solution to protect and keep you from all of this \u2013 and that is Jesus.\u00a0 But, it\u2019s possible that you may not run into the loving and saving arms of Jesus if you don\u2019t believe in the devil or evil.\u00a0 Second to last point \u2013 a book that did help open my eyes in a big way to existence of evil in our world today is <\/span>Frank Peretti\u2019s \u201cThis Present Darkness\u201d<\/span>.\u00a0 It is a Christian book and one that I believe will really bring home the seriousness of evil and temptation in our world today.\u00a0 You may want to check it out if you have questions on all of this.\u00a0 Also, C.S. Lewis, in the intro to his incredible book about evil and temptation in our lives called <\/span>\u201cThe Screwtape Letters\u201d<\/span> writes this: \u201cThere are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight.\u201d\u00a0 A great quote\u2026\u00a0 and a great reminder to not have an excessive nor unhealthy interest in the devil or evil \u2013 this is of course extremely dangerous!\u00a0 And the bottom line is of course to turn your eyes and gaze toward God and Jesus for ultimate protection \u2013 and I do believe reading the Bible each day is one of the best ways to do exactly this!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n In verses 12 and 13 we see Adam and Eve passing the buck on why they sinned.\u00a0 Check out Adam\u2019s words in verse 12: \u201c\u201dbut it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 At first glance you might think that Adam is just blaming Eve in this verse, but note that he is also blaming God!\u00a0 \u201cthe woman YOU gave me\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Adam was blaming God and Eve \u2013 anybody but himself.\u00a0 How often do we do this in our lives?\u00a0 Blame others for our mistakes?\u00a0 The painting immediately below I think captures Adam\u2019s words and expression in verse 12 above perfectly!<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 15 is a prophetic verse that carries forward to Jesus: \u201cFrom now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This last sentence refers to Jesus ultimately defeating the devil through his life, death on the cross, and resurrection!<\/span><\/p>\n Below is \u201cThe Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise\u201d by American Neoclassical Painter Benjamin West from the year 1791:<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video: <\/strong>I typically post up a worship video\u00a0that relates to our daily readings\u00a0on this section of the blog.\u00a0 Today, reading about God\u2019s creation of our world in Genesis reminded me of Chris Tomlin\u2019s song \u201cOur God\u201d (filmed live at Red Rocks, Colorado, in 2013 \u2013 I was there!). Enjoy, and don\u2019t be afraid to Worship God right now along with this video!<\/span><\/p>\n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture on <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
Author<\/span>: Moses
Date<\/span>: ~1420 B.C.
Content<\/span>: The book of Genesis was written to explain how everything began; in fact, the very title Genesis means \u201corigin\u201d or \u201cbeginning\u201d. It explains that God created the universe, how man was created and placed in a perfect environment, how sin began, and how God provided salvation for lost man. The beginning of human history is described, the beginning of arts and crafts, how human languages began, and where the various nations came from. The focus then shifts to the beginning of the Hebrew people with Abraham, followed by the histories of Isaac, Jacob and his sons, and the book ends with Joseph in Egypt.
Theme<\/span>: The main idea that runs through the book is that although God made everything good, man\u2019s sin has spoiled it. God has not given up, but is now in search of man to save him. The overall control of God is stressed, and special attention is given to how God directs history for the good of his people and their salvation. (Above commentary is from <\/em><\/span>Tyndale Publishers \u201cThe One Year Bible Companion\u201d<\/span><\/em> p. 1)\u00a0 <\/em>A wonderful commentary on the book of Genesis by Bob Deffinbaugh is <\/strong><\/span>at this link<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Below is more art from Michelangelo \u2013 this is a marble statue of Moses, the author of Genesis, made in the year 1515 in Italy:<\/span><\/p>\n
To order prints visit her \u201cRevelation Illustrated<\/span>\u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n