January 2

First Three Sons of Adam and Eve -- Genesis 4:1-26; Descendants from Adam to Noah -- Genesis 5:1-32

Who was the first to die from natural causes?  Was it Adam or Eve?  

They knew what death was.  Cain killed Abel.  They saw animals die.  And God said they would die.  But if Adam was the first to go of natural causes, it would have been 930 years before people experienced this.  If they were like us, I'm sure a few doubted they were ever going to die.  God didn't really mean what He said...did He?  Had they even seen God again since the Garden?  Did they doubt Adam's stories?  About walking in the Garden in the evenings with God?  The snake?  The fruit?  The fall?  Did they even go so far as doubt the existence of God?

And so the years stretched on and on, year after year, hundreds of years of working hard and living.  Yes, there was that one unfortunate incident when a life was taken.  But then, life went on.  And on and on.  Until the day they found Adam dead.  For some reason, I imagine he died in his sleep.  

Did they wonder what had happened?  What had he done to anger God?  Did this mean the curse was fulfilled?  Or would others die?  Imagine the fear and doubt Adam's death created.  Because what did they know of eternal life?  Then one by one, others died.  The fear grew.

And then Enoch walked with God and was no more.  Enoch didn't die.

Was this God's way of giving the world hope?

My post from last year on this date.

January 1, 2009

The Beginning -- Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-4; Adam and Eve -- Genesis 2:4-25, 3:1-24

We have this romantic notion of Jesus as "God among us."  And He was.  But then, God has always been among us.  From the very beginning, He got down in the dirt and the mud for us.  Can't you see Him?  The Creator of the Universe on His and knees, a splash of grim on His forehead, working so intently, knowing us so intimately.  Walking with us in the cool of the evening.  What was that like?  Matching strides with God?

Then, even after we'd sinned and He was about to banish us from the garden, He pauses to make with His own hands our first proper clothing.  He offers up an intimate act of grace even amidst that first judgment.  I wonder what Adam and Eve thought when they felt the first winter wind's chill and they pulled their coats tight around themselves?  Did they give thanks? Did they remember the good the Lord had done or the terrible moment He'd forced them to leave the garden?  

And how long did that first wardrobe last?  Was it like the clothing the Children of Israel wore while wandering in the wilderness -- lasting through the years?  Or did we grow tired of the cut and style?  

What logo do you think God sewed on the back of the pocket of their jeans?

My post from last year on this date.