“In
the beginning, God…”1
The focal point of this story is, remains, and will always be God
and the exaltation of his glory. God, eternally existent, explodes
into the scene of time with the creation of a sphere teeming with
life, bursting with potential. One by one, he brings forth beauty out
of nothing. Breaking fundamental scientific laws, matter bursts
forth; being placed in ever increasing order. He reaches the climax
of this spectacular display with the creation of man, his very image
bearers among the created order. Reaching down, Yahweh digs deep
into the dirt. Molding and shaping, he forms a being to be his
representation and authority among the created beasts and vegetation,
like a potter shapes his masterpiece. God infuses his breath of life
into humankind and anoints them as priests in the land, to tend,
subdue, cultivate, and reflect the glory of creator God throughout
the whole earth.
This
scene does not last. Fast forward years in this garden, and evil
comes onto the scene through one of the Almighty’s fallen angels.
Mankind is deceived, and moves to extend their own glory, in their
attempt to be like God, they shatter the perfect bond enjoyed between
mankind and the Creator. The human race from this point on, became
infected with a disease; a disease that spreads throughout each
generation in the seed of man. This evil is seen in every cry of
pain, every death, every killing, in both the human and animal race.
God, in an act of grace banishes Adam and Eve from the garden,
sparing them from living forever in this fallen state.
From
this point on, the world degenerates where evil is so pervasively
threaded into the fabric of mankind, that every waking thought of man
was evil, similar to how poison spreads through the entire host. This
greatly grieves the Lord until he regrets his act of creating these
beings. At this point, God graciously bestows favor on one man, Noah,
in hopes of redemption. In a swift act of judgment, God consumes the
whole world in a massive flood.
The
flood subsides and Noah’s family line lives as the only humans
left; mankind flourishes, evil corrupts at the tower of Babel, and
the Lord disperses humanity, confusing the languages. God interacts
with several people from this point on, to establish a people for his
own possession and glory. He confronts an idol-worshiper named Abram
and through him God blesses all the nations of the earth.
Through
this line, God seeks the restoration of people for his name’s sake
and eternal glory. He steps into the scene through the person of
Jesus, born of a virgin, born without the seed of man, lacking the
curse of evil, and having the nature of the Divine. This man was God
with us; Deity in flesh. Jesus lived a spotless life, became the
subject of the wrath of God for the redemption of humanity on the
cross, and salvation to the nations when he rose three days later.
Coming is his eternal supreme kingdom. One in which he will sit on
the throne eternally, reigning with the saints from the previous age.
Evil will be vanquished and God will rule triumphantly throughout
eternity. There we will glorify God by enjoying him forever.
1
Genesis 1 English Standard Version, Good News Publishers, Wheaton,
IL 2001
Grace and Peace to you all .
-Dan
