“In the beginning” has almost as magical a connotation as “Once upon a time” to me. I had a great conversation with a great friend and brother in Christ tonight about Genesis 1 and 2. It was most definitely inspired by God and it would be a shame not to share about it. The two questions he asked me were this:
Are they two different stories, or the continuation of the same story?
If so, how does that change the way you read Genesis 1 and Genesis 2?
Here are the links, go check ‘em out.
Genesis 1: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1&version=NIV
Genesis 2: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+2&version=NIV
Here are my answers.
Yes the chapters are the same story, but Genesis 2 is a more specific story to man, and Genesis 1 is a broad creation of the whole world. It’s like God created the heavens and the earth, but he spent a little extra time thinking and deciding and making absolutely beautiful the place to create man. God created the world, but God really created Eden just for Adam and Eve. It was the perfect place for his most perfect creation.
This really changes the way I’ve thought of these passages because it made it so much more personal to me. A lot of who I have become is because of the place God created specifically for me to grow up. Paradise, Texas was created in 1989 just for me to live there and grow up. ACU was designed to my specifications by my Creator so that I might grow in His image. Eden was his great first example of what he has done for all of us.
I know sometimes things like this spark lengthy and needless debate on creation vs. evolution and all that kind of mess, but I looked at it different this time. Up until yesterday evening, I had no idea where I was going to live come August. Plans changed and things arose that left me homeless. But I wasn’t worried because I knew God would provide. And he did, I now have somewhere to live and it opened my eyes to this revelation. He has been designing all the places he has taken me to be exactly what I needed, just like he did for Adam in the garden.
Home is where God made it. He took special time and deep thought in designing the perfect place for you, just for you. What kind of love and personal attention is that?! How awesome is our God?!
Special thanks to Tyler Sheppard for the inspiration and conversation. Love you brother!
